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.

An introduction to Wanaka

Lonely tree of Wanaka - A tree in a lake surrounded by mountains|Summers in Wanaka have picturesque vistas such as this tree

Wanaka shares many of the characteristics that draw millions of tourists to Queenstown each year – the mountains and the lakes and the outdoors – yet it enjoys a far smaller profile. In many ways it's the little brother to Queenstown – many would say the cooler little brother. While it doesn't have as many hotels and restaurants or the large bar scene, it still has a few great tourist attractions of its own, and respectable eating and dining.

During winter, Wanaka is used as a base for skiing and working in Cardrona, Snowpark/Snowfarm and Treble Cone and has a true 'ski town' vibe. Therefore, it shouldn't be a surprise to learn that half of New Zealand's Olympic skiers and snowboarders call Wanaka home. During the summer it's a busy holiday town for New Zealanders; many of the houses in town are baches (holiday houses). Lake Wanaka, New Zealand's fourth-largest at km2 192, is also a popular boating destination (it's warmer than Lake Wakatipu), as is the nearby Lake Hawea.

Wanaka is pronounced similar to the phrase won a car. Many international tourists before have made the mistake of pronouncing Wanaka as if it rhymed with tanker, much to the local residents' amusement.

Travel as a Muslim to Wanaka

Wanaka from mt roy - Wanaka from Mount Roy

By Plane

The closest international airport is in Queenstown (New Zealand)|Queenstown which services Flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, plus domestic flights are handled from Auckland and Christchurch. Wanaka Airport is also served by at least two flights most days from Christchurch by Air New Zealand.

By car

Wanaka is a two-kilometre detour off State Highway 6, via State Highway 84. From State Highway 8, Wanaka is a 30 km detour via State Highways 8A, 6 and 84.

Approximate distances and times (non-stop):

• Queenstown (New Zealand)|Queenstown: 70 km (1hr 10min) via Crown Range Road, 112 km (1hr 30mins) via State Highway 6
• Fox Glacier: 265 km (3hr 15mins)
• Christchurch: 430 km (5hr 15mins) via Lake Tekapo and Lindis Pass (SH 79 and SH 8),
• Dunedin: 280 km (3hr 30mins) via Roxburgh (SH 8)

Travel on a Bus in Wanaka

Several bus companies connect Wanaka with Queenstown, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, Christchurch and Dunedin. Most buses arrive and depart from the Log Cabin at 100 Ardmore Street, on the lakefront opposite the Wanaka i-site information centre. wanaka Ritchies run 10 trips a day (5 from Wanaka, 5 from Queenstown) to and from Wanaka. All trips are via Queenstown Airport, cost for an adult is $NZ23 one way $NZ40 return. They will pick up from hotels in the CBD's at both ends of the trip.

Get Around

Lake Wanaka View - Lake Wanaka view

Wanaka is compact and located on the lake shore. It is an easy walk to shops and restaurants and a number of operators offer vehicle or mountain bike hire. Also, if you're interested in getting around the area, perhaps visit Lake Hawea and there is a new local carpool system that works on a Gold coin donation for a ride.

What to See

• National Transport & Toy Museum - beside Wanaka Airport GPS: Opening Hours: Daily (except 25 Dec) 8.30am-5pm with extended hours in summer Adult $17, child $5 - Has aircraft, cars, trucks, motorcycles, fire appliances, military vehicles and tractors, clockwork and battery powered toys, porcelain dolls, teddy bears, pedal cars and money boxes.
• Puzzling World - 188 Wanaka Luggate Hwy GPS: -44.69698, 169.16183 2km heading north from Wanaka ☎ +64 3 443-7489 | Opening Hours: Daily 08:30-17:00 Tumbling Towers: free, Great Maze: $18/12, Illusions: $18/14, Combined: $22.50/16 Puzzling_World Puzzling World, New Zealand . Its major feature is the Great Maze, a 1.5km two-story maze of confusing passages. It also features dozens of optical illusion rooms and a large puzzle centre, cafe and gift shop. Check out Wanaka's version of the Leaning Tower and the incredible roman toilets.
• Wanaka Beer Works | at the Transport & Toy Museum - Learn about the brewing process and sample a brew or two in the tasting room.
• Warbirds & Wheels - Wanaka Airport GPS: Opening Hours: Daily Adult $20, child 5–15 $5, student $15 A museum of classic and vintage automobiles and motorcycles, and war planes, including an A-4 Skyhawk, a Strikemaster, a Vampire, and a Hurricane. It replaced the Fighter Pilots Museum.
• World of Deer near the Transport & Toy Museum - Opening in Sept 2018.

What to Do

Wanaka is a popular for outdoor adventure; day hikes, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, boating on the lake or rivers, horsetrekking, skydiving, scenic flights and more. There is also a range of hiking and mountaineering in the rugged and spectacular Mt. Aspiring National Park World Heritage area; and skiing in the nearby skifields - Cardrona, Treble Cone, Snowpark/Snow Farm, and further afield near Queenstown Coronet Peak and the Remarkables. The multitude of activities in Queenstown are also just an hours drive away, so its feasible to base yourself in Wanaka while heading over there for the day to hit up the activities on offer.

• Boating, several operators offer guided cruises out to the islands on Lake Wanaka. There is also a wake-boarding/water-skiing charter service. 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 300 m. There are beaches close by town which offer swimming and sailing or windsurfing, as well as idyllic and virtually deserted beaches 5-10 min drive from the township.

• Deep Canyon - Guided canyon adventures | 99 Ardmore Street GPS: -44.42, 169.09 ☎ +64 3 443-7922 | Opening Hours: November - April 07:00-11:00 $225 upwards Descend the spectacular canyons of the Matukituki valley. Explore 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.
• Cinema Paradiso | 72-76 Brownston Street - Legendary small movie theater with custom seating including comfy old sofas, an old Morris Minor, and a great range of food

• Fishing and 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 - off Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road GPS: -44.63403, 168.89624 ☎ +64 3 443-1406 Treble Cone has two chairlifts and a poma serving a mixture of beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert terrain. The resort offers a small retail store, cafe, restaurant at its base. It is roughly 30 minutes drive from Wanaka. The last part of the drive is up a winding dirt road that requires snow chains in winter and a confident driver. Snow reports phone +64 3 443-7444.

• Cardrona - off Cardrona Valley Road GPS: -44.87325, 168.94917 ☎ +64 3 443-7411 This is the highest ski field in New Zealand. Snow reports phone +64 3 443-7007

• Snowpark/Snowfarm
• Harris Mountains Heliski - GPS: - Harris mountains heliski can be booked from retail stores in Wanaka, and offers a number of different payment options, for a few runs or many. Go when the snow is good or go when the snow is ordinary, and trust your guide and pilot to find a stash. If you book only a few runs and want to do more and the guide may offer an extension to you while you are on the hill. Make a lowball offer! They would not have flown out if profits were not already sorted, and the guide may want another run anyway.
• Skydive Lake Wanaka - 14 Mustang Lane, Wanaka Airport, SH6 ☎ +64 3 443-7207 0800 786 877 Opening Hours: 08:00–20:00 From $329 It’s not every day that you strap yourself to a beautiful stranger and leap from a perfectly good aircraft! High altitude tandem skydive. Freefall from 15,000 feet

• Walking, 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.

• Wine - GPS: - Take a tour around the local estates

Events

• Festival of Colour - This celebration of the arts occurs every two years in April.
• Warbirds Over Wanaka - An air show held every second Easter long weekend. The next show is in 2016. See over 50 aircraft from the biplanes of WWI and the stars of WWII and the Korea fighters and the jets of Vietnam. Also military vehicles and Harley Davidson motor cycles.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Wanaka

There is a New World supermarket a block back from the lake for all your food supplies.

Shopping opportunities are limited, as you would expect in a town the size of Wanaka. There is a good range of ski/snowboard/outdoor and also clothing shops to get you prepared for the mountains.

Halal Restaurants in Wanaka

• AmiGos Mexican Grill | 71 Ardmore Street GPS: -44.694277, 169.137417 ☎ +64 3 443-7872 -
• Finchy's Bar and Restaurant | 2 Dunmore Street GPS: -44.695471, 169.136532 ☎ +64 3 443-6262 Built on the 1880 old Wanaka jail site.
• McGregor's Restaurant | 54 Reece Crescent GPS: -44.691387, 169.142952 ☎ +64 3 443-5200 Local cuisine, outdoor seating. Huge meals.
• The Spice Room - 43 Helwick Street ☎ +64 3-443 1133 | Opening Hours: 5–11PM Main dishes $20-25 - Top notch Indian food in a warm and pleasant atmosphere. There is also a Spice Room in Queenstown.

• Bullock Bar | 71 Ardmore Street GPS: -44.69419, 169.13760 ☎ +64 3 443-7148 A bar with some real Central Otago character, featuring some unique entertainment including indoor ice curling and occasionally sheep racing
• Opium Bar | 66 Ardmore Street GPS: -44.69373, 169.13747 ☎ +64 3 443-5545 Asian-themed bar popular with the snowboard crowd
• Speights Ale House - 93 Ardmore Street ☎ +64 3 443-5459 Speights bar offering drink and food
• Water Bar - 145 Ardmore Street GPS: -44.69570, 169.13393 ☎ +64 3 443-4345 Waterfront bar with a lake-side deck

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Wanaka

Wanaka - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Wanaka, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Wanaka. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Wanaka and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Wanaka. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Wanaka. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inWanaka: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Wanaka.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Wanaka: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Wanaka, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Wanaka.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Wanaka, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Wanaka, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Wanaka and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Wanaka, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Wanaka, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Wanaka without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Wanaka is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Wanaka.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Wanaka is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Wanaka, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Wanaka Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Wanaka YHA - 94 Brownston Street ☎ +64 3 443 1880 - $29–$135 }} - Base Backpackers Wanaka - 73 Brownston Street ☎ +64 3 443 4291 - $25–$100 }} - Mountain View Backpackers - 7 Russell Street ☎ +64 3 443 9010 - $33–$78 }} - Flying Kiwi Backpackers - 21 Russell Street ☎ +64 3 443 6723 - $29–$80

• Alpine View Lodge | 23 Studholme Road GPS: -44.715598, 169.133705 ☎ +64 3 443-7111 - $160-260 Surrounded by mountains.
• Bella Vista Motel Wanaka - 2 Dunmore Street GPS: -44.695711, 169.136152 middle of town ☎ +64 3 443-6066 - $120-220
• Montrose Bed & Breakfast | 120 Mount Iron Drive GPS: -44.686015, 169.147683 ☎ +64 3 443-2289 - $80-130 Check-in: 14:00 / Check-out: 10:00 Home stay.
• Wanaka View Motel - 122 Brownston Street GPS: -44.699021, 169.132745 ☎ +64 3 443-7480 - $170-200 One, two and three-bedroom chalets near the lakefront.

Luxury

For luxury or more upmarket stays and there are several excellent lodges.

• Lime Tree Lodge - 672 Ballantyne Road, Luggate GPS: -44.71923, 169.21488 8km east of central Wanaka, off SH 6 Great service.
• Maple Lodge | 56 Halliday Road GPS: -44.696664, 169.190226 ☎ +64 3 443-6275 - Mountain view.
• Minaret Lodge | 34 Eely Point Road GPS: -44.682866, 169.127241 ☎ +64 3 443-1856 - Great service. For Lord of the Rings fans, Minaret Lodge offers a themed room, 'Barlimans' as well as LOTR packages.

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Wanaka

• Mount Aspiring National Park – enjoy the scenery, mountaineering and jet boating
• Cromwell (New Zealand)|Cromwell
• Arrowtown
• Queenstown (New Zealand)|Queenstown – take the Crown Range Drive and the highest primary street in New Zealand, to Wanaka's big brother
• Omarama
• Haast and on to Fox Glacier, 3 hours drive north, in the West Coast (New Zealand)|West Coast region

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