Wānaka, Alpine resort town in Queenstown-Lakes District, New Zealand.
Wānaka is a town on the southern shore of Lake Wānaka, nestled in a valley of the Southern Alps. The setting surrounds the lake with snow-capped peaks and alpine terrain that extends in all directions.
The settlement started during the 1860s gold rush under the name Pembroke before changing to Wānaka in 1940. This renaming marked a shift toward recognizing the local Māori origins of the place.
The name Wānaka comes from the Māori language and reflects the region's connection to indigenous heritage. Visitors can sense this link through local place names and how the community relates to the surrounding mountains and lake.
The place sits near Mount Aspiring National Park and offers access to hiking trails, mountain biking, and ski areas in the region. Visitors should prepare for changeable mountain weather and know that the best activities vary by season.
A large share of homes in Wānaka stand empty throughout the year because they serve as vacation properties or rental homes. This gives the place a unique character as its population shifts with the seasons.
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