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Adventure · Wanaka

Top 10 adventure things to do in Wanaka

If your idea of a good day in Wanaka ends with sore legs and a great photo, start here. Treks, kayaks, ziplines, off-road runs and the occasional adrenaline-up — every operator below is licensed and safety-checked.

  1. Wildwire Wanaka- Level 1 (2 Hours), Wanaka1

    1. Wildwire Wanaka- Level 1 (2 Hours)

    5.0· 122 reviews· 2 hours

    Living a rich life is about experiences, not stuff – our spectacular backyard is full of adventure and we want to share it with you. Get out of your comfort zone and be rewarded as we conquer the highest waterfall cable climb in the world. Our Level 1 climb involves approximately 45mins of physical climbing and 4 bridge crossings. Our Via ferrata tour is perfect for those who love the outdoors, waterfalls and beautiful places. It is suitable for beginners, families and hesitant adventurers with basic fitness. No experience required. Your tour starts at the waterfall where your friendly guide will fit your safety gear and teach you how to use the equipment before starting the climb. You will be climbing on steel ladder rungs and crossing wire bridges to finish at a beautiful picnic spot. We then walk down a mountain trail and back to the base.   If you are more adventurous and are looking to explore more in this incredible vertical world, we recommend our intermediate Level 2 climb.

  2. Wine Tasting Adventure Wanaka and Beyond, Wanaka2

    2. Wine Tasting Adventure Wanaka and Beyond

    5.0· 41 reviews· 7 hours

    Welcome to a Wine Lover's Paradise! Join us as we embark on a wine tasting - sightseeing adventure like no other visiting wineries around Wanaka - Pisa - Cromwell - Bannockburn - Bendigo. It is a day full of new mates, scenic beauty, a beautiful gourmet lunch platter and some seriously good wine. Meet the winemakers who are pouring their passions and get an insider's look into everything that is involved in creating the perfect glass of wine from vineyard to bottle. Living the Dream Tours is a wine tour company that encourages guests to unwind for an unforgettable day and let us do all the work. It's not just a tour; it's a connection with the artisans who make the magic happen.

  3. Aspiring Snow Special with Glacier Snow Landing, Wanaka3

    3. Aspiring Snow Special with Glacier Snow Landing

    5.0· 1 reviews· 1 hours

    Embark on the Aspiring Snow Special, a one-hour helicopter adventure into New Zealand’s most remote and spectacular alpine landscapes. This unforgettable experience features a stunning glacier or snow landing in the heart of the Southern Alps, followed by a scenic local landing near the shores of Lake Wānaka. Soar above rugged mountain peaks, thundering waterfalls, sheer rock faces, and pristine alpine terrain, with lush native forests providing a striking contrast to the dramatic high-country scenery. Touch down on an alpine glacier or snowfield and step into a world of untouched wilderness before concluding your journey with a breathtaking second landing overlooking Lake Wānaka. Available year-round, the Aspiring Snow Special is a truly memorable experience and a standout highlight of any Wānaka holiday - offering remarkable views, rare access to remote landscapes, and moments you’ll never forget.

  1. Small Group Jet Boat Adventure on the Clutha River from Wanaka, Wanaka4

    4. Small Group Jet Boat Adventure on the Clutha River from Wanaka

    5.0· 326 reviews· 1.3 hours

    Lets us take you on amazing Jet boat ride down the Mighty Clutha river. Amazing world renowned scenery , snow capped mountains and the famous Historic Red Bridge". The Clutha river is the second longest river in New Zealand. The river flows swiftly through the Upper Clutha Valley between ancient glacial terraces. We will take you through the long section called the "Snake" before reaching a rare switchback feature called the 'Devils Nook". Before heading back upstream to take in the magnificent views of the mountains.

  2. Wildwire Wanaka- Level 2 (4 Hours), Wanaka5

    5. Wildwire Wanaka- Level 2 (4 Hours)

    5.0· 479 reviews· 4 hours

    Living a rich life is about experiences, not stuff – our spectacular backyard is full of adventure and we want to share it with you. Get out of your comfort zone and be rewarded as we conquer the highest waterfall cable climb in the world together. Our intermediate climb involves approximately 3hrs of climbing steel ladder rungs and crossing 6 bridges next to a spectacular waterfall and finishes with approximatley 45 minutes walk down a mountainside trail. This tour is perfect for active adventurers who love the exploring outdoors, waterfalls and beautiful places. You will be climbing next to vertical waterfalls and being happy with heights helps! Stay dry. No experience required. If you are hesitant or just want a smaller taste, we recommend our Level 1 / Beginner climb.

  3. ebike tour lake Hawea river track to Wanaka, Wanaka6

    6. ebike tour lake Hawea river track to Wanaka

    5.0· 66 reviews

    Ride on possibly the best 1-day bike ride in New Zealand with our exclusive Hawea River Track adventure. We've crafted a unique experience by combining three different tracks, inventing a great ride that others now emulate. This leisurely exploration of Wanaka's scenic wonders offers stunning views along the gentle riverside track, showcasing the Upper Clutha's natural beauty. Join us for a pickup at 9 am, 11 am, or 2 pm from your accommodation. A 15-minute drive takes you to the wild and beautiful Lake Hawea, where you'll cruise along the Hawea River Track on an easy 30 km ride back to Wanaka town. A year-round delight, this classic Wanaka ride includes a strategic stop at Wanaka's best bakery for coffee and pastries. Once back in Wanaka town, just let us know, and we'll ensure you get a safe ride home. Experience the pinnacle of New Zealand's biking adventures, combining innovation and breathtaking landscapes for a day to remember

  4. Packraft Wanaka, Wanaka7

    7. Packraft Wanaka

    5.0· 57 reviews· 7.3 hours

    This is an adventure like no other, paddling one of New Zealand’s most spectacular mountain rivers in our fun, inflatable packrafts. Start your action packed day with a scenic shuttle drive beneath the towering mountains, glaciers and waterfalls of the Matukituki Valley. After refreshments its gear-on, safety brief and paddle tuition before heading down-river on our stable and strong packrafts. Ride the wave trains, paddle into calm eddies and float with the river flow. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the river bank and play in turquoise swimming holes as you continue paddling down river. By the time the day is done your guide will have you paddling like a pro. You'll be accompanied by one of our friendly 'shuttle support' dogs on the drive, please let us know if this might be an issue for you and we can arrange otherwise.

  5. Cardrona High Country Pub Trail Horse Trek (Intermediate level+), Wanaka8

    8. Cardrona High Country Pub Trail Horse Trek (Intermediate level+)

    5.0· 273 reviews· 3.5 hours

    Saddle up on this very unique horse trekking experience, just 20 minutes from Wanaka. The half-day High Country Pub horse trek takes you up into the beautiful mountains of Cardrona Valley allowing breath taking views of the surrounding Pisa and Crown Ranges and Cardrona Ski Area. No riding experience is necessary as all tuition is provided, however if you want to cut loose there are many chances for trotting and cantering on this ride and a stopover at the historic Cardrona Hotel to stretch your legs and enjoy a drink on us! Please note we do not "JUST WALK" on this ride **PLEASE SPECIFY YOUR HORSE RIDING ABILITY UPON BOOKING SO THE APPROPRIATE HORSES ARE SELECTED FOR YOUR RIDE**

  6. Wanaka 4x4 Explorer The Ultimate Lake and Mountain Adventure, Wanaka9

    9. Wanaka 4x4 Explorer The Ultimate Lake and Mountain Adventure

    5.0· 103 reviews· 4 hours

    The Ultimate Lake and Mountain Adventure Wanaka’s boat and 4×4 tour brings you the best of both worlds with views from the lake and land looking over remote islands and National Parks. From start to finish we are off the beaten path, no people, truly remote, truly stunning. The best place to enjoy the views and your gourmet picnic!  The 4 hour tour departs from the Wanaka Marina and includes a 20 minutes boat ride to and from the base of Mt. Burke where you and your guide board our 4x4.

  7. Lakeland Jet Boat Adventure - Clutha River, Wanaka10

    10. Lakeland Jet Boat Adventure - Clutha River

    4.9· 228 reviews· 1.5 hours

    Experience one of New Zealand’s most iconic adventure activities in some of the world greatest scenery. Picture yourself skimming across shallow water, over sand bars, through rapids and around rocks at speeds in excess of 80 kph, now picture doing this down New Zealand’s swiftest river with no seat belt and no brakes; that’s one way to get your adrenaline levels through the roof. Our trip makes the best of blood pumping adrenaline along with some of the world’s best scenery in the background.

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