We have scoured the stunning mountain and lakeside town of Wānaka to discover the best in eating, drinking, shopping, and more. Explore our favourite places in our guide.
Formerly known as Pembroke, this lakeside town was originally formed during the Gold Rush of the 19th century. Fast forward 100 plus years and although locals may no longer be digging for gold, they’ve certainly found it in the lifestyle that is living in Wānaka.
History has it that Māori came here to hunt and fish during their stop-offs on the way to the West Coast to find pounamu, and current dwellers will tell you that the love of the great outdoors hasn’t diminished since.
The mountains surrounding Wānaka are world-renowned spots for climbing, biking, and skiing, so it’s no wonder Wānaka is home to many super sportspeople.
When the locals aren’t out and about in the forests, hills, or lakes, you’ll find them in town at one of the many fantastic eateries or bars, thanks to a steadily increasing number of entrepreneurs who are providing food and wine done with class.
Wet Your Whistle: A Guide to Wānaka’s Local Artisan Brewers, Winemakers & More
Wānaka’s endless adventures have a way of working up a thirst. After a day of skiing, biking and hiking, there’s nothing quite like cracking open a cold one or revelling in a world-class glass of red. Ahhh.
3 Wānaka Creatives & The Places That Inspire Them
A landscape that would give Monet and Van Gogh something to paint about, it’s hardly surprising that Wānaka is home to a rich community of artists and big thinkers, feasting off its beauty to fuel their own creative ideas.
The Insiders' Weekend Guide to Lake Hāwea
No longer Wānaka's lesser-known neighbour, Lake Haweā is an outdoor lovers' paradise that's evolved into a well-rounded holiday destination, thanks to its hospitality offerings and activities to match its intense beauty and monstrous mountain range. With a secret sauna, surrounding peaks, jaw-dropping walks and hikes, coffee caravans and outdoor bars, here's our guide to what the locals have kept under wraps for some time.
Your Guide to a Wellness Weekend in Wānaka
Ah, Wānaka. Best known as a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, home to a multitude of tracks for feet shod in boots or pushing pedals, and a gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park. Set at the southern end of its namesake lake with famously panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, it’s a place where not only your eyes can feast but so too your mind, body and soul.
Explore our Directory
View AllVerve
A short stroll from the lakeside, Verve is the newest bar to join Wānaka’s downtown scene. The concept here is simple but enticing: good beer and good wine.
Thieving Kea
Perched along Wānaka’s picture-perfect lakefront, Thieving Kea is a family-run boutique that captures the heart of Aotearoa’s artisan culture and natural beauty.
Wānaka Brew Bar
If you find yourself craving a cold one but can’t bear to tear yourself away from the stunning sights of Lake Wānaka, you’ll be pleased that Wānaka Brew Bar exists.
Get your Pocket Guide for Wānaka
We have scoured the stunning mountain and lakeside town of Wānaka to discover the best in eating, drinking, shopping, and more. Explore our favourite places in our guide.
Heatwave
Located on Dunmore Street in Wānaka, Heatwave is a community hub as much as it is an outdoor lifestyle store.
The Camp
Aotearoa, land of the great outdoors, is unsurprisingly a land of a long list of incredibly scenic sites to spend a night, too.
Alice Herald
Couture is a word most often associated with high-end fashion, but down Wānaka’s sleek laneway, The Precinct, you will find a window displaying Alice Herald’s...
The Secret Sauna
Picture this: an off-grid, wood-fired sauna sits peacefully on the shore of a glacial lake, smoke softly puffing out of the chimney while through the generous window, a...
Paloma
Creators of authentic Mexican fare, Paloma has a simple (but by no means easy) mission: to make the best possible tacos in Wānaka using New Zealand ingredients.
Curbside Coffee & Bagels
If the timber letters spelling out ‘Coffee & Bagels’ overhead aren’t an obvious enough announcement of your arrival at Curbside then the aroma of freshly ground coffee and the sounds of a busy barista working the machine will certainly grab your attention.
hello RANGER
Just like any good park ranger, hello RANGER is the heart of its community, there to take care of adventurous people before and after their journeys.
Hāwea Hotel
How do you like the idea of enjoying your morning coffee from a private balcony, with uninterrupted views of mountains encircling one of the country’s largest lakes?
General Service
Tucked down an alleyway in the heart of Wānaka is a place where the inhabitants look forward to coming to work each day.
Pembroke Wines & Spirits
Pembroke Wines & Spirits is a boutique bottle shop that delivers more than you thought you ever needed.
