Wanaka Tours: Top 5 Sightseeing & Cruise Picks

Wanaka, with its shimmering lake and the jaw-dropping Southern Alps, actually makes a great base for pretty epic adventures. It’s the sort of place where the views just seem to go on and on, perfect actually for both those really looking to get active or folks who’d more like a gentler look around. Picking exactly where to start may be a bit tricky, that’s where this guide comes in – it’s almost like your cheat sheet to some amazing ways to check out all of what Wanaka has going on. We have hand-picked what we consider the area’s absolute best tours, from calm cruises out on the lake to really scenic sightseeing trips, this should definitely get you started on creating a trip you won’t soon forget. Read on actually to find the best that Wanaka can offer.

1. Wanaka Lake Cruise & Mou Waho Island Exploration

Imagine, that you are on clear waters with mountains all around, honestly? It’s this cruise to Mou Waho Island which might be exactly how you start. That is to say, the trip is really more than just a boat ride; it includes going ashore on Mou Waho Island, which too, is notable for actually holding a lake on its very own island. Yes, that sounds a little confusing, yet it’s quite the sight! That’s something that makes the experience so amazing and kind of out there, walking to the small lake way up above with only nature sounds as your soundtrack.

The cruises usually last for around three hours, so, giving a pretty good stretch of time both on the water and when visiting on the island itself. You typically find knowledgeable guides too, which can then fill you in about all the island’s secrets and the local areas. They’re really insightful to have. You too get the opportunity actually to plant a native tree, and thus help out the restoration. Now, is that cool? The whole event is pretty sustainable. The views are really unbeatable with picture perfect vistas and the air that’s genuinely New Zealand crisp.

Read our full review: Wanaka Lake Cruise Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Wanaka Lake Cruise)

2. Scenic Flight Over Mount Aspiring National Park

If taking to the skies interests you, like your heart needs a proper beat, there’s honestly this scenic flight above Mount Aspiring National Park, which gives unbelievable views. Seeing those mountains up so close kind of delivers on all the expectations you get from a proper national park experience. So imagine soaring over some high and pretty rugged peaks with that glistening snow sitting there. That alone is worth it; you might just not have believed how good the countryside really looks.

Those flights usually take off from Wanaka Airport, it is true, where too, the take off brings those beautiful scenic routes within a couple of minutes. As you begin your aerial route, be it you have arranged a private flight just for yourselves, the pilots usually give informed commentary. As a matter of fact, I learnt way more about our natural landmasses during the flight, which makes it very informative.

Read our full review: Scenic Flight Mount Aspiring Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Scenic Flight)

3. Ruby Island Experience

Thinking something different than your standard trip out? Very well, try an trip that’s based totally around getting around and discovering Ruby Island. We are talking about scenic tours which do stop off at the spot, in some respects, its isolation and somewhat untouched landscape offers everyone that real chance of total isolation. Like being away from any hubbub, noise, nothing at all, as it will deliver everyone tranquility aplenty and natural bliss in its rawest essence. If you are still considering, why don’t you continue.

The trips around here cater toward small, focused, personal sizes, giving even that special feeling. Like the tour operators often use tiny transport types to keep visitor footprint on lowest setting, that makes any traveler a real participant and part of their environment. Its walking paths aren’t completely all paved and all uniform, this guarantees every experience will come across new, but at any moment you have possibilities, be it at looking further above in elevation on land otherwise going beneath seas by canoe; so no one would be restricted to taking easy options though. With a place so steeped as history is for exploration just as land meets tide is where most would consider stopping at; if for anything it should at very least present itself some chance worth any keen voyager.

Read our full review: Ruby Island Experience Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Ruby Island)

4. Wanaka Lavender Farm Visit

Thinking about those trips around that go a bit off a usual tour? Well actually, there is the Wanaka Lavender Farm; it might be this amazing calming sight to catch and it doesn’t take that much to enjoy either. The senses overload too since one thing you could expect from this area involves some scents that are pretty relaxing and then lots color splashed everywhere you would expect them. Seriously, if for taking Instagram shots and feeling almost very chilled are at high importance – visiting right around late blooming stages means total perfection as light diffuses gently creating that unforgettable backdrop which can often turn into the centerpiece within your travelling adventures.

While those flowers may play their strong game in summer, many might not suspect that seasons round and off will come packed too by means special charms to attract all year. I found myself learning really unique things when spending one afternoon discovering the oil distillations too; they shared knowledge alongside other cool products all being available close when heading out! You too get yourself ice cream full tasting very naturally floral with tastes, maybe it does appear almost odd from the beginning however there really can exist a delicious twist, so there will undoubtedly prove those great flavours aren’t quite any of your expectations and well beyond this entire day you won’t expect for any other place!

Read our full review: Wanaka Lavender Farm Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Lavender Farm)

5. Wanaka Beer Tasting Tour

Lastly if all comes in consideration is the craft-beer scenario where unique or something completely diverse has always held precedence, then look no further with the Wanaka beer exploration route! So, forget conventional touristic options – because here you would get chances to experience locally run and well liked microbreweries located and found all around through those corners with incredible backstories of people operating them at the helms. Just the sampling varieties through styles alone delivers some excitement. I went through it earlier while attending various tour groups while even chatting more from brewer who were genuinely caring of work.

With some offered guided outings; anyone gets easy entry within spots people never knew even existing. If driving from point one and reaching other place all seemed intimidating though (mainly where alcoholic beverages got involved), that gets relieved fully, but anyone thinking getting individual pace may suit people greater – or because sometimes these choices allows one being relaxed with hours completely tailored. Moreover, remember often getting small food pairing offered inside certain brewery setups alongside certain kinds craft style as snacks compliment flavours better.

Read our full review: Wanaka Beer Tasting Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Beer Tour)