A Visit to Wanaka: A Magical Place with Lakes, Forests, and Wine
Location: Wanaka
Highlights: Outdoors, Food & Wine
Wanaka, a mysterious gem in the Lake District of New Zealand's South Island, is nestled at the foot of the Southern Alps. Winter is Wanaka's busiest season, with skiers and snowboarders flocking to Cardrona and The Three Peaks for downhill skiing and Nordic skiing, as well as exhilarating helicopter skiing. Beyond skiing, there are plenty of activities year-round, including fishing, hiking, mountaineering, skydiving, or visiting nearby towns to enjoy shopping, wineries, and culinary experiences. The Clinton River, located southeast of Wanaka, is New Zealand's longest river, boasting emerald lake waters, unique trout, and endless beauty.
Wanaka is a paradise for sports enthusiasts. On the clear, pristine lake, you can not only enjoy paddleboarding, a full of fun and exciting experience, but also challenge a unique nighttime kayak tour. A cruise across Wanaka Lake is more suitable for most tourists, allowing you to visit the mysterious Mouva'hu Island Nature Reserve, home to the flightless yellow-billed duck.
Cycling is one of the most popular outdoor activities locally. Riding along the flat routes around Wanaka Lake, you can enjoy the lake view all the way while listening to the guide explain the stories of the Wanaka region. Adventurous tourists can participate in helicopter biking – riding in a helicopter, landing on New Zealand's highest mountain road at an altitude of 6,500 feet, and then choose a return route, enjoying the beautiful views of Aspiring Peak along the way.
Wanaka is also a destination that foodies cannot miss. There are vibrant lakeside cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy various local delicacies, such as merino lamb, Pinot Noir wine, and ice cream. As a seasoned foodie, to fully understand the food of Wanaka, you might as well visit the local farmer's market or go to the Cardrona Brewery to learn about New Zealand's unique pure malt whisky, which is made using Cardrona's high-altitude pure water.
If you're still not satisfied, take a drive to Aspiring National Park, which is only one hour's drive from Wanaka Town, you can hike to admire the Rob Roy Glacier or take a jet boat to the high mountain valley. The park is named after New Zealand's highest peak, Mount Aspiring, which is a dreamland of mountains, glaciers, valleys and alpine lakes. The park has many short hiking trails, most of which are located around the main road starting points. Visitors can also cross the beautiful valley to make longer distance hiking trips. Crossing the Great Dividing Range on the west side of the Southern Alps, you will see the magical natural landscape – in the park's valley, there are glaciers, ski resorts, mountains, canyons and wildlife habitats. The west side of the range receives plenty of rainfall, and the beech forest is constantly filled with bird songs and the sound of waterfalls; deep into the east side of the glacial valley, the forest grows with moss and various edible flowering plants.
New China News reporter Qu Tingyi
Editor Li Zheng Proofread Chen
Images New Zealand Tourism Bureau provided images
