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Offered languages
- English
- English
Wānaka is a pristine alpine village where mountains blend into crystal-clear waters in New Zealand’s Southern Alps. On self-guided audio tour, you’ll discover Wānaka’s remarkable transformation from remote settlement to beloved lakeside destination. The tour begins at the Wānaka War Memorial, with its commanding view over the township and lake. From there, you’ll meander through the charming village center with its cafés and galleries, follow the spring-fed Bullock Creek, and stroll along the scenic lakefront boardwalk. Along the way, you’ll learn how the town evolved from a frontier outpost called Pembroke, and a hub for gold miners and high-country farmers, to the adventure hub it is today. The tour ends in the peaceful Wānaka Station Park, once part of a vast sheep station established in the 1860s, where you can relax amongst its collection of mature exotic trees planted by early settlers.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
This tour starts at Wānaka War Memorial. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Tour ends at the Homestead car park
Itinerary
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(Pass by)
Marvel at this striking memorial with its commanding views over the township and the shimmering waters of Lake Wānaka below. This is where the tour begins, and where the stories of the people who shaped this remote alpine community first come to life.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stroll alongside this spring-fed creek as it winds its way through the heart of the village toward the lake. Its clear, cool waters are a reminder of the natural forces that have drawn settlers, farmers, and adventurers to this valley for generations.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass this community landmark at the heart of the village, where local life and visitor activity have long converged. It sits at the edge of one of New Zealand's most spectacular alpine lakes, formed by volcanic and glacial forces over millions of years.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Enjoy a leisurely stroll along this scenic lakefront boardwalk, with sweeping views across Lake Wānaka to the mountains beyond. It is one of the most beautiful stretches of the tour and the perfect place to take in the scale of this extraordinary landscape.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Walk past this quiet natural spring, one of the hidden gems tucked into the village landscape. Fresh water has flowed here long before the town took shape, and it speaks to the rich geological story running beneath this entire alpine valley.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Explore this quirky and beloved local institution, where giant dinosaur sculptures have delighted children and visitors alike since the 1990s. It is a playful landmark that captures the warm, community spirit at the heart of Wānaka's small-town character.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Marvel at this striking public sculpture, a powerful symbol of care and connection that has become one of Wānaka's most photographed artworks. It reflects the town's growing reputation as a place that inspires artists, conservationists, and creative thinkers.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stroll down this characterful laneway, named after the town's original colonial identity as the frontier outpost of Pembroke. It is a small but evocative reminder of the gold miners, high-country farmers, and early settlers who first put this place on the map.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Walk along the pebbled shore of this beautiful alpine beach, where the crystal-clear waters of Lake Wānaka lap against the edge of the village. On calm days the lake reflects the surrounding peaks, creating one of the most photographed scenes in all of New Zealand.
Admission ticket free -
That Wanaka Tree (Pass by)
Marvel at this solitary willow growing from the shallows of Lake Wānaka, one of the most famous trees in the world. What began as a quiet local landmark became a global Instagram sensation, drawing photographers and visitors from every corner of the globe.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass over this charming bridge as the tour winds toward its final stretch through the village. Small waterways like this one have shaped the layout of Wānaka since its earliest days, carving pathways through the landscape that the town has grown up around.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Enjoy the peaceful surroundings of this beautifully planted park, once part of a vast sheep station established in the 1860s. The mature exotic trees here were planted by early settlers and stand today as living monuments to the pioneers who first tamed this high-country frontier.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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