Wānaka, Alpine resort town in Queenstown-Lakes District, New Zealand.
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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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That Wānaka Tree
1.2 km
Cardrona Bra Fence
19.2 km
Roys Peak
6.1 km
Lake Dunstan
34.4 km
Mount Cardrona
21.6 km
Warbirds and Wheels
9.7 km
National Transport and Toy Museum
9.3 km
Arrow Kilwinning Lodge
34.5 km
Roaring Meg Power Station Waterfall
32.9 km
Leaning Tower of Wanaka
3.2 km
Cobbled Gutters
34.6 km
Bendigo Quartz Reefs Historic Area
31.8 km
St Columba's Anglican Church
930 m
Arrowtown Library
34.4 km
Isthmus Peak
27.9 km
Roys Bay
2.2 km
Stables
34.5 km
The Old Convent
34.6 km
St Paul's Anglican Church and Vestry
34.7 km
Arrowtown Gaol
34.4 km
Arrowtown and Districts War Memorial
34.8 km
Esplanade Reserve
16 km
Bank of New Zealand Agency Building
34.5 km
Reid's Stables
34.7 km
Cardrona Hotel False Front
21.5 km
The Red Bridge
12.7 km
Arrowtown Borough Council Building
34.4 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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