Wanaka

From Queenstown.net.nz

Wanaka is a town in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is situated at the southern end of Lake Wanaka, adjacent to the outflow of the lake to the Clutha River. It is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park. Wanaka is primarily a resort town but has both summer and winter seasons and is based around the many outdoor opportunities. Due to the growing tourism business and the increasing number of retirees in Wanaka, there is massive growth occurring, up to 50% in 10 years.

The town is part of the Queenstown-Lakes District and was originally settled during the gold rush excitement of the 19th century.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 2.1 Climate 3 Attractions 3.1 Festivals 3.2 Summer 3.3 Winter 4 People 5 Politics 6 Transportation 7 Visiting Wanaka 8 Get in 8.1 By plane 8.2 By Road 9 Get around 10 See 11 Do 12 Buy 13 Eat 14 Drink 15 Sleep 16 Get out 17 External links 18 References

[edit] History

The first European in the area was Nathaniel Chalmers, who was guided inland by Chief Reko in 1853. Maori knowledge of the region is evidenced by an earlier sketch map from Chief Te Huruhuru at Waimate.^[1]

European settlement began in the Upper Clutha River Valley in the 1850s, with the establishment of sheep stations by 'runholders'. The first station was at Albert Town as this was the only place to ford the Clutha River. The present site of Wanaka was first surveyed in 1863^[1] Settlement increased in Pembroke (the old name for Wanaka) in the 1870s because of timber milling in the Matukituki Valley and the use of Lake Wanaka for transport. Tourism started in the town in 1867 with the opening of the first hotel, by Theodore Russell. The site proved very popular for tourism because of its temperate climate and easy access to snow and water.^[2]

Pembroke was renamed Wanaka in 1940.^[1]

[edit] Geography

The town of Wanaka is situated at the Southern end of Lake Wanaka. It is surrounded by mountains. To the southwest of the town is Queenstown(120 km (75 miles)), to the north Haast Pass cuts through the Southern Alps near Makarora. To the northeast are the towns of Omarama and Twizel. Very close to Lake Wanaka there also is Lake Hawea, in a parallel glacial valley, which also has a recently developed settlement of about 1,500 people. To the south of the town lies more of the Southern Alps but close to the town is the Glendu Bay motorpark, leading into the Matukituki River valley. This gives access to the Mount Aspiring National Park

The centre of the town is on flat land beside Roy's Bay. Parts of the town have grown into the hills around the town and also around Roy's Bay in both directions. The lakeside area of the town is prone to occasional flooding in spring, when heavy rain and snowmelt can cause the lake to rise dramatically. Such a flood occurred in November 1999.^[3][4]

[edit] Climate

Wanaka is one of the few areas in New Zealand to enjoy a continental climate, with four distinct seasons. The weather is fairly dry with spring (September-December) being the wettest months. Annual rainfall is 682 mm which is half the national average. Wanaka experiences hot dry summers with temperatures reaching the high 30s but the average is 24°C. Winter tends to have clear calm days with highs around 10°C.^[5]

[edit] Attractions

These days, with its beautiful lake and mountain views, Wanaka has become a popular tourist resort, loved by many for being less commercialised than Queenstown.^[6]

Wanaka boasts a growing number of excellent restaurants, cafes and a diverse nightlife. Other attractions in the town include Puzzling World and the Paradiso Cinema. Puzzling World contains a 3d maze, optical illusions and a leaning tower.^[7] The Paradiso is a classic old cinema, with seating consisting of old couches and a car. ^[8] There are a number of wineries in the area.

A great day excursion can be had walking up neighbouring Roys Peak, from which stunning views can be seen of Wanaka and the surrounding area, including Mount Aspiring.

[edit] Festivals

• The biennial Warbirds over Wanaka airshow, has become a major attraction for national and international guests.
• Wanakafest [1]
• NZ Freeski open
• The biennial New Zealand music Rippon Festival [2]

[edit] Summer

Wanaka is host to some of New Zealand's best outdoor recreation and tourism activities with world-class hiking, mountain biking, mountaineering, fishing, paragliding, kayaking, rafting, jetboating, and environmental activities of all kinds suitable for adventure seeking people and families. With one of New Zealand's sunniest climates, Wanaka is truly an adventure paradise. It is the access point to the highest mountain outside of the Mount Cook region, Mount Aspiring/Tititea.

Mount Aspiring National Park is very popular for mountaineering and hiking. Tourists enjoy day trips into the park and many tourists go hiking in the park for up to a week at a time. Parts of the Matukituki Valley on the road to the park are also very popular for rock climbing, and for day walks.

Lake Wanaka itself is popular for waterskiing, wakeboarding and sailing. This along with the local rivers provide many opportunities for fishing. There is a dedicated mountain biking area made by volunteers in a local pine forest.^[9] All the local ski resorts open for mountain biking and hiking in the summer.

[edit] Winter

Wanaka has the broadest range of snow activity choices of any town in NZ. These include Treble Cone, Cardrona Alpine Resort, Snow Park and Snow Farm, some of New Zealand's premier commercial ski fields. Wanaka is the main accommodation provider for these resorts and so is very busy in high season(July-September).

Treble Cone has a reputation among New Zealanders as having the best lift accessed terrain in the country and for this reason has developed a cult following, 'ConeHeads'.^[10] It also catches some of the better snow in the area, with its location and orientation getting more snow from NW storms. Cardrona is more attractive to families and beginners, though an attempt has been made at the park riding population in competition with SnowPark.^[11] Snowpark is a dedicated 100% artificial terrain park for advanced riders. Snow Farm is New Zealand's only commercial cross-country ski field.

[edit] People

The town is experiencing considerable growth. According to the 2006 census the permanent resident population of the area is 7,008, an increase of approximately 33% in five years.^[12] This is helped in part by the nearby towns of Hawea, Albert Town and Luggate, all within 10 minutes of Wanaka. The number of retirees in the town is above average for New Zealand, with 13.2% of the towns population aged over 65. New Zealand's normal rate is 12.3%. 52.4% of the town's population had some form of post school qualification, 12.5% above the national average.^[13]

82.2% of people from Wanaka claimed to be of European heritage, about 15% above the national average. The unemployment rate was exceptionally low in Wanaka, at 1.9%, compared to 5.1% for New Zealand. The number of couples without children was 17.4% above the national average, while the number with children almost 7% lower.^[13]

[edit] Politics

Wanaka is part of the Waitaki electorate. This electorate is currently represented by the New Zealand National Party's Jacqui Dean.^[14]

[edit] Transportation

Wanaka is serviced by the Wanaka Airport as well as by roads over the Crown Range, from the West Coast and to the north via State Highways 6 and 84. There is at least one flight daily to Christchurch by Air New Zealand.

During the 20th century an unsuccessful proposal was made for the Otago Central Railway to be extended to Wanaka.

Coordinates: 44°42′S 169°09′E / -44.7, 169.15

[edit] Visiting Wanaka

Wanaka is a town situated on the shores of Lake Wanaka in the South Island of New Zealand. It is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

The closest international airport is at Queenstown which services flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Domestic flights are handled from Auckland and Christchurch. Wanaka is also served by at least two flights daily from Christchurch by Air New Zealand.

Glenorchy Air provides flights to Wanaka from Queenstown and Glenorchy • more info

[edit] By Road

Buses from all major cities stop in Wanaka. Timetable [3]. The cheapest option is nakedbus.com [4] - fares on this service start at $1 if you book early enough. Otherwise try listing a ride on a rideshare site like Wanaka based Cooreea [5] and travel here with other people.

Approximate distances:

• Queenstown 70 km
• Fox Glacier 269 km
• Christchurch 430 km
• Dunedin 280 km

[edit] Get around

The town is compact and located on the lakeshore. It is an easy walk to shops and restaurants. A number of operators offer car or mountain bike hire. Also if you're interested in getting around the area, perhaps visit Lake Hawea, there is a new local carpool system that works on a gold coin donation for a ride. For designated stopping/pickup points and more info, check out WanaRide Share [6]

[edit] See

• Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World, 443-7489, [7]. Located just outside of town, Puzzling World's major feature is The Great Maze, a 1.5km, two story maze of confusing passages. The site also features dozens of optical illusions and puzzles. Open daily 8:30AM-5:00PM.
• Warbirds Museum (NZ Fighter Pilots Museum), [8]. Showcases fighter aircraft and more, featuring the Hurricane, Mustang, LA-9, Vampire and Polikarpov fighters. Tells the story of New Zealand fighter pilots.
• Warbirds Over Wanaka, [9]. An air show held every second Easter long weekend (last was in 2008). See over 50 aircraft from the biplanes of WWI, the stars of WWII, the Korea fighters and the jets of Vietnam. Also military vehicles and Harley Davidson motor cycles.
• Wanaka Beer Works, [10]. Located at Wanaka Transport Museum. Learn about the brewing process and sample a brew or two in the tasting room.
• Wanaka Autumn Arts Festival. This celebration of the arts occurs every year in late March.

[edit] Do

• Fishing, the surrounding lakes and rivers offer superb Fly Fishing. The rivers are stocked with both Brown and Rainbow Trout.

• Skiing, Lake Wanaka is both a skiers and snowboarders paradise. Close to 4 ski resorts. Heliskiing and cross country skiing are also possibilities.
  • Treble Cone [11]
  • Cardrona [12] This is the highest ski field in New Zealand
  • Waiorau Snowfarm [13]
  • Harris Mountains Heliski [14]

• Wine [15], take a tour around the local estates

Wanaka is a mecca for outdoor adventure; trail hikes and day hikes, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, mountaineering, boating on the lake or rivers, horsetrekking, skydiving, scenic flights etc...

Wanaka attracts international tourists year-round.Many are attracted to the region’s huge range of adventure activities, hiking in the rugged and spectacular Mt. Aspiring National Park World Heritage area; or to ski the Wanaka and Queenstown region’s world-renowned skifields - Cardrona, Treble Cone, Coronet Peak and the Remarkables.

You can take scenic flights, go skydiving, paragliding, bungee-jumping, go lake cruising, jet boating or rafting, take a Lord of the Rings tour, go fishing, play golf, climbing, canyoning, kayaking or canoeing, mountain-bike riding or horse riding.

Of just take in its magnificent scenery, explore the stunning Southern Lakes region, go wine-tasting, or exploring historic Arrowtown, Wanaka, or Queenstown.

In addition to overnight and multi-day hikes such as Gillespie Pass, French Ridge, Cascade Saddle and etc there are an ever increasing number of enjoyable day walks. Probably the most popular of these and the most satisfying is the Rob Roy glacier hike in Mt Aspiring National Park, closely followed by the circuit Diamond Lake track and the Mt Roy track. New additions include the trail (best mountain biked) out to beautiful Colquhouns beach and on to the Rumbling Burn.

Several operators offer guided cruises out to the islands on Lake Wanaka. Both Mou Waho and Stevenson's island provide wildlife sanctuaries for birds. Mou Waho is a larger island with a small lake which you can walk up to. Lake Wanaka itself is the third largest lake in New Zealand and has a maximum depth of over a 1000ft. There are beaches close by town which offer swimming and sailing or windsurfing, as well as idyllic and virtually deserted beaches 5-10mins drive from the township.

[edit] Buy

• Deep Canyon (Guided canyon adventures), 23 Dunmore Street, Wanaka (Nov to April), ☎ 03 443 7922, [15]. 7-11. Descend the spectacular canyons of the Matukituki valley. Explore your way through crystal pools and native forest. Plunge down water polished chutes, abseil down waterfalls. Climb, swim and float through a spectacular world of water sculpted rock and sparkling, crashing waterfalls. NZ$225 upwards. (44.42,169.09)
• New Zealand Heli Skiing (New Zealand Heli Skiing), 37 Shotover St, Queenstown, New Zealand, ☎ 03 442 6222, [16]. Premier New Zealand heli ski operator

[edit] Eat

• Finchey's Bar and Restaurant is on 2 Dunmore Street in downtown Wanaka. It is built on the 1880 old Wanaka jail site.

[edit] Drink

• AmiGos Mexican Grill, 34 Ardmore St, Wanaka

[edit] Sleep

The Bellavista in Wanaka is in the middle of town. [16] One place for backpackers is 'Mountain View Backpackers'. Alpine View Lodge is an awesome to stay - it's surrounded by mountains. [17]

For luxury or more upmarket stays try the following excellent lodges. Riverrun lodge[18] is one such example, alternatively, try Minaret lodge[19] or Lime Tree lodge, both of which are equally exclusive and offer great service. For Lord of the Rings fans, Minaret Lodge offers a themed room, 'Barlimans' as well as LOTR packages.

Maple Lodge[20] on the edge of Wanaka has mountain views.

Wanaka Resort luxury apartments have balcony views of the Alps. Apartments open onto outdoor living space including pool, jacuzzi, tennis court, gym, barbecue facilities.

[edit] Get out

• Mount Aspiring National Park [21], enjoy the scenery, mountaineering and Jet boating

• Fox Glacier - the biggest West Coast glacier. Located approximately 3 hours drive north of Wanaka.

[edit] External links

• Wanaka promotions site
• Warbirds over Wanaka website
• Wikitravel Wanaka page
• Wanaka Street Map
• Sustainable Wanaka Charitable Trust

[edit] References

This article uses material from Wikipedia, "Wanaka" and Wikitravel, "Wanaka"

Any material derived from Wikitravel articles is released under the Creative Commons Attribution share alike licence