Wānaka lakefront

Wānaka is Queenstown's calmer neighbour — a clear alpine lake, a laid-back town and quick access to Mount Aspiring National Park, Roys Peak and the Rob Roy Glacier. The lone willow in the lake (#ThatWanakaTree) is a rite of passage at sunrise.

Lakefront camping here is a short stroll from cafés and the water, and a great base for tramping, swimming and the drive over the Crown Range or up the West Coast.

Wanaka does most of what Queenstown does with a fraction of the crowds, which is why a lot of our guests end up preferring it. Roys Peak is the famous walk — six hours return, relentlessly uphill, and busiest at sunrise. If that sounds like too much, the Diamond Lake track above the road to Glendhu Bay gives you a similar view in ninety minutes.