Best things to do in Wānaka (with kids)

Spending at least a few days exploring in and around Wānaka is a must-do on New Zealand’s South Island, and a fantastic option for families thanks to its compact size and chill, low-key vibe.

Framed by soaring peaks, glistening Lake Wānaka and arid farmlands, this cute town in the Otago region is all about getting outside thanks to its riverfront pathways, scenic walking tracks, and being the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park in the Southern Alps.

Conveniently located just an hour from Queenstown en route to Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook National Park, Wānaka’s location makes it easy to work into your New Zealand itinerary. I recommend spending at least three nights here to slow down a bit and enjoy the pace of a place that doesn’t feel quite as ‘touristy’ as spots like Queenstown and Milford Sound—and as a bonus, you won’t have to worry about rush hour traffic.

Our family spent our time here enjoying some beautiful hikes and waterfront walks, scenic drives, wandering through lavender fields (so cool!), sipping on lattes at outdoor cafes and popping into the shops downtown, all without ever feeling too rushed. Oh, and we had our five-month-old daughter in tow, so we definitely appreciated how quick it is to get around so we could zip back to the hotel for nap times when needed!

From family-friendly activities to tips about where to stay, here are the best things to do in Wānaka with kids.

Quick find

Wānaka Lavender Farm

The cutest spot for a family photo-op is the Wānaka Lavender Farm, where there are 20 acres of lavender fields and gorgeous gardens framed by rolling hillsides.

The best time to visit is from December to February when the purple fields are in full bloom, though the farm is open year round.

Sample homemade honey, lavender ice cream and teas, or book a Picnic Experience to enjoy a hamper full of locally-sourced cheese, chutney, crackers, nuts, fruit and chocolates can be enjoyed anywhere on the property.

Guests are welcome to wander through the fields, play outdoor games and visit the farm animals, which makes an outing here one of the best things to do in Wanaka with kids.

Go for a hike in Wanaka

New Zealand is all about getting into the great outdoors, and Wānaka has fantastic, family-friendly hikes that start just a short drive from downtown. Top picks for hiking in Wanaka include:

Mount Iron Track

The trailhead for this kid-friendly track starts just outside of downtown Wanaka near Puzzling World, boasting fantastic panoramic views from its 250-metre-high summit.

It takes about 90 minutes to complete the 4.5 kilometre loop, and there are sweeping views of the town, Southern Alps and Lake Wanaka.

We started our hike by following the trail up to the left and did the full loop (clockwise), and found that the views are best on the first half. So, you might want to consider heading back down the same way once you reach the summit for better views of the lake both ways.

Ensure everyone has a hat, sunscreen and lots of water, since it can get very hot during summer and there’s not much tree cover.

Mount Iron Track in Wanaka — Mount Iron Track

Roy’s Peak Track

We didn’t have enough time to tackle this six-hour jaunt (or the guts to attempt a 1300 metre climb with an infant!); however, Roy’s Peak Track is considered one of New Zealand’s top hikes so this is definitely one you’ll want to consider.

The 16 km trail starts just five minutes outside town, starting with a zigzag along a steep 4WD track up to a conservation area through wild tussock grasslands. The reward once you reach the summit is a dramatic vantage point of Lake Wānaka and Mount Aspiring, and this picture-perfect view is often featured in ads promoting New Zealand’s scenery.

While the hike makes for a long day, it’s doable for older kids who are troupers as it’s not technically challenging and is downhill the entire way back.

Note: The trail is closed for lambing from October to mid-November every year.

Hooker Valley in Mount Cook National Park

If the fam is up for a drive, I highly recommend a day trip up to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park—this turned out to be our favourite experience of our entire 10 day trip to New Zealand!

Home to the country’s tallest mountains and largest glaciers, the drive from Wanaka (2 ½ hours) has absolutely jaw-dropping scenery en route starting with the Lindis Pass, a dramatic alpine area of tall, tussock-covered mountains.

You’ll pass Ōmarama which is known for a geological attraction called the Clay Cliffs, and the highlight is the approach towards Lake Pukaki which is famous for its dazzling turquoise hue.

We opted for the Hooker Valley Track, which is one of the most popular trails in New Zealand for good reason: the views are unreal in literally every direction, and it requires almost no effort so we managed this easily while carrying our infant in a baby carrier.

The out-and-back pathway is very flat (packed dirt or wooden boardwalks), and takes about 90 minutes each way: be sure to wear lots of layers as the wind here is no joke here, and check the trail is open before heading out as it sometimes closes due to weather or maintenance.

Explore Wānaka’s downtown and waterfront

Wanaka’s downtown area is where you’ll find the hub of activity, with several blocks worth of boutiques, restaurants, cafes and pubs with some overlooking the waterfront.

You’ll want to budget for at least a couple hours here, including time to walk along Lake Wanaka’s shoreline where there’s a flat boardwalk through a marsh area and large green spaces with a playground for the kids.

Be sure to check out the Instagram-famous #thatwānakatree, a willow jutting right out of the water near the Wānaka Watersports carpark.

At 45 kilometres long, Lake Wānaka has a mix of activities on the water like jet boating, sailing and kayaking, and a popular activity is hopping on a scenic boat cruise to enjoy happy hour and sunset.

Departures are usually at 5:30 pm from the downtown waterfront.

Another option is to venture out to the quieter Lake Hawea which is a 15 minute drive away, or wander along the Cardrona River pathway in Albert Town (5 minute drive).

In the summer you’ll likely see kids jumping off the highway bridge into the gem-toned water, and this is also a great place to hop on two wheels and explore with a self-guided bike tour (ages 8 and up).

Book one of these top rated tours in Wanaka:

Visit a kid-friendly museum

If the weather isn’t cooperating, skip the screen time by heading into one of Wanaka’s kid-centric spaces instead.

National Transport and Toy Museum

Little ones go wild for big trucks and planes, and they’ll love getting a close-up look at the huge range of vintage and classic cars, fire engines, military transports, trucks, tractors, motorbikes, buses and even historic planes on display at this museum.

This is also home to the largest number of toys on public display in New Zealand, with over 100-thousand toys dating back to the 1900s like antique dolls, teddy bars and model cars. You’ll also find some of the classics like LEGOs, Tonka Trucks and massive collections of Barbie and Star Wars memorabilia.

Puzzling World

Equal parts brain teaser and playground, kids can run, explore and challenge themselves at Puzzling World without even realizing they’re learning along the way.

Wanaka’s so-called World of Weirdness has photo-ops in front of the ‘Leaning Tower of Wanaka’, a puzzle centre and six Illusion Rooms where tilted floors, holograms, and mind-bending perspective tricks await. A highlight is the Great Maze, where families work together to navigate the tricky multi-level pathways to find the exit.

Plan to spend at least 90 minutes at Puzzling World, which is usually enough time to complete the Great Maze, visit the Illusion Rooms and try some puzzles in the Think Tank Cafe. Click here to book

Explore the South Island during day trips from Wānaka

Wānaka is a wonderful base for exploring some of the best spots around the scenic South Island.

Queenstown: 1 hour drive

If your New Zealand itinerary doesn’t include time in Queenstown, you’ll definitely want to budget a day to check it out.

Known as the adventure capital, the city is famous for its adrenaline-fuelled activities like bungee jumping, paragliding, zip lining and jet boating tours.

Family-friendly things to do in Queenstown include riding up the gondola for city views from Skyline park, wandering along the waterfront and downtown shopping area, and taking a ride across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter’s Peak High Country Farm

Glenorchy: 2 hour drive

Plan a full day for this stunningly-scenic road trip from Wanaka to Glenorchy, as you’ll inevitably make lots of stops along the way.

The highway traces the edge of Lake Wakatipu with gorgeous views of The Remarkables mountain range, leading to many waterfront pullouts and scenic walkways.

New Zealand road trips on the scenic South Island — Along the road from Queenstown to Glenorchy

Once you get to Glenorchy, grab a bite then stroll along the family-favourite Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway. It’s flat, only takes about an hour, and the surrounding wetland is framed by the Mt Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi ranges with lots of birding opportunities.

Arrowtown: 1 hour drive

Walking through this western-themed gold mining town feels like being transported back in time. There are some great eateries here, scenic walking tracks and quirky activities like gold panning.

Where to stay in Wānaka

One thing you’ll quickly notice about accommodations in Wanaka is that there are very few hotels, and none of them are brand name chains. Instead, many are more of a private apartment setup, which is actually great for those travelling with kids with facilities like a kitchen and laundry.

We stayed at Alpine Junction Townhouses in Albert Town about five minutes from Wanaka, which was an absolutely perfect setup for families. Our two-level townhouse had a large kitchen, laundry machine, two bathrooms, two bedrooms and a living room leading out to a fenced-in backyard.

The views from the primary bedroom were gorgeous, and it’s a quick walk down to the river pathways and only a few minutes to drive to the lavender farm or into town. There’s also a restaurant, grocery store and fantastic French patisserie in the same complex. Click here to book

Getting around Wanaka

You’ll definitely want to rent a car for your time in Wanaka even if you’re not planning any day trips, since the town’s sights are a bit spread out.

I usually book with Discover Cars since they often have the lowest price and flexible policies. We used them in New Zealand too, by picking up and dropping off at the Queenstown airport which cost a few hundred dollars for a weeklong SUV rental.

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