Wanaka, New Zealand is a growing family destination for good reason. Mountains, nature, and lake life call to visitors around the world. Finding family activities in Wanaka isn’t hard, here are our top favorites with kids in Wanaka!
1. Wanaka Lavender Farm
Wanaka Lavender farm has insta-worthy photo spots for your feed and adorable fuzzy animals to keep the kiddos happy.
This favorite spot for Wanaka has 360 views of the surrounding mountainscapes, an enormous field of lavender (come during the long blooming season for even better views), and a relaxing café.
Take family pics in front of the purple door or on the purple tractor. Wander the fragrant field, then take some lavender for the road. I personally, love the lavender sugar for my tea and scones!
2. Lakefront and the Wanaka Tree
One of your first, but hopefully not only, stops in Wanaka will be the Wanaka Tree. Nearly 100 years old, this famous tree first grew in a fence line.
However, as the lake changed, the tree remained firmly rooted in the water. Now, this tree stands as a Wanaka icon and is a must visit with the family.
My children call it the magic tree. It appears to be floating out on the water under the shadow of the mountains all around.
Don’t leave Wanaka with kids without a visit to the Wanaka Tree. Then take a long walk, ride, or run around the Lake Wanaka lakefront.
3. Lakefront Playgrounds and the Beach!
By far the spot where our family spends the most time is the lakefront of Lake Wanaka. You can’t miss the lake regardless of what direction you travel from. The lakefront is full of hiking, biking, sunning, swimming, kayaking, and more.
Many people simply park their car or RV along the lakefront, sit, and stare. This place is transfixing!
However, with kids, some of the first things you will notice are the playgrounds! My children’s favorite spots are the not one but TWO playgrounds on either corner of the lakefront.
The lakefront playground nearest the Wanaka tree is great for children under 6 and has plenty of seating for parents. The parents can sit and watch the water and mountain views while the children play.
The second playground is on the adjacent corner of the lake nearer the downtown strip. You will know it by the enormous dinosaur!
This second playground is appropriate for toddler to 12 year olds and is conveniently located near coffee shops, dining, and shopping.
We like to grap ourselves a fresh cup of coffee, and sit for hours at the lakefront while our children play.
4. Kayaking
Lake Wanaka is mostly a very calm lake. Therefore, kayaking in Wanaka with kids is ideal. With the exception of very windy days, the lake is glass-topped and perfect for easy, calm watersports.
Kayaking is extremely popular, and if you don’t travel with your own kayak, then you will be interested in renting your own for a family adventure.
Paddle Wanaka is one of the leading kayak rentals on the lakefront. Children are welcome, and you can rent your kayak by the hour.
If you plan to spend only a short time on the water, simply rent a kayak for about $30.00NZD/hour and enjoy a paddle.
However, if you are looking for something a little more adventures, book with Lakeland Wanaka on a kayak adventure.
Lakeland Wanaka will deliver your family and your kayaks to one of the 4 islands on Lake Wanaka, let you explore for awhile, then allow you to kayak back to shore.
This way you see a little more of Lake Wanaka and the unique wildlife that makes up this beautiful region.
5. Puzzling World
One of the largest mazes in the world, you won’t miss Puzzling World upon entering Wanaka! Our family spent about a half day playing in the maze and the 5 exhibit rooms of illusion.
Finally we ended in the café, bookstore, and puzzle room where you can spend hours completing puzzles.
Your kids will love the slanted room, and learning about forced perspective! Not to mention, you can all find out who has the best sense of direction in the giant maze!
In fact, this turned out to be one of our favorite places for souvenirs!
6. Ice Cream
Dairy in New Zealand is second to none. Wanaka is even home to its very own ice cream producer (Pure New Zealand). However, with the family, you won’t want to miss Patagonia chocolates and ice cream.
Located on the lakefront shopping strip, this popular and often crowded spot boasts Wanakas best and the regions award-winning ice cream.
You can also purchase gelato at Black Peak, but my recommendation is going to be to skip Black Peak and move directly to Patagonia.
After trying ice cream and gelato around Wanaka, Patagonia wins every time for every member of our family!
7. Hook Salmon Fishing and Eatery
Our family is tempted to label this our #1 favorite activity in Wanaka with kids. Hook’s lake to plate experience was unique family fun.
Hook has a stocked salmon lake. Hire a rod, and catch your own dinner fresh from the lake. Enjoy a drink while the kitchen team fillets and prepares your fish smoked, sashimi, or takeaway fillets.
Our children had the best time feeding the fish, catching their own dinner, playing in the sand pit, and wandering through the beautiful grounds.
Meanwhile, the parents loved the lakefront restaurant and bar and the mountain views.
Hook is quickly gaining in popularity in the area as more and more people discover this hidden gem. During peak times, be sure to check the time of the last rod hire of the day and consider making reservations.
8. Biking
If you want to see only the main strip and the lakefront, then this town is extremely walkable. However, if you want to see some of the less traversed paths along Lake Wanaka and perhaps explore some of the great biking trails around Wanaka, then bring your bikes.
Don’t have your own bikes? No worries. There are loads to rent around town. Or, like us, purchase some bikes on Facebook Marketplace and resell them before you leave.
Wanaka’s bike culture is pervasive. They are everywhere and more common than vehicles.
Therefore, Wanaka has a bustling bike resale market due to the amount of bikes in the area. You won’t have any trouble finding the right bike for you!
On bike, you will see more of Wanaka and its beautiful natural vistas than simply walking. Plus, it is home to or near to several of the countries best mountain bike trails.
9. Roy’s Peak or Glendhu Bay
Roy’s Peak –Wanaka’s looming peak is visible from nearly anywhere in town. You won’t miss it! However, it is also Wanaka’s most famous track!
Pack lots of water, snacks, walking sticks, and your first aid kit for this challenging up-and-back hike.
The average return time is about 6 hours, while our family took about 7.5 hours to complete the entire track up and back.
Our family agreed that it was the steepest mountain trail we had ever completed together, but we also agreed that it had the best views we had ever seen.
From it’s topmost viewpoint, you can take in all of Lake Wanaka including its 4 islands and the town below.
However, if Roy’s Peak sounds beyond your physical limit (it was nearly beyond mine!), then take the Glendhu Bay track instead.
This track is much calmer and mostly flat. You can even take your mountain bikes around the famous Glendhu Bay bike track.
10. Clip n Climb (Basecamp Adventures)
If you want to continue to bask in the New Zealand adventure culture but need to head indoors, don’t miss Basecamp Adventures or Clip n Climb with kids. Basecamp Adventures is one of the premier local bouldering tour leaders. They even lead bouldering classes and adventures for children.
However, for the family, I recommend booking a time at Clip n Climb. With several different and unique walls and auto-belay on each one, Clip n Climb Wanaka is very family-friendly.
After just a few minutes of practice, even my 4 and 7 year old had no trouble working the clip in system and auto-belay. Despite sore fingers, they begged to stay longer!
Clip n Climb Wanaka is located in the same building as the adorable Ruby’s Cinema and Bar. If you want to keep the family fun going, book your climbing adventure and follow it with a unique cinema experience!
More Wanaka Fun for the Family
Wanaka is full of wonderful family fun. After 30 days of living here, we have explored something new everyday, and these top ten are our favorites!
However, this doesn’t mean that this is all. Wanaka is chock full of adventure or relaxing family fun. Other super fun Wanaka activities with kids include:
- Paradiso Cinema
- Food Trucks
- Wanaka Public Library
- Shopping in the downtown strip
- Feeding the ducks
- Stargazing
- Visiting the marina
- And more!
Popular Quick Trip Ideas from Wanaka with Kids
Not only is Wanaka a relaxed place for memory making in New Zealand but it is also a great hub for exploring the South Island.
Some of our favorite spots a quick drive from Wanaka include:
Queenstown – a beautiful mountain destination where you can’t miss time on the lake or riding the Skyline Luge. You can spend an entire week exploring this famous and fun city. Be sure to check out our top 10 favorite things to do with kids there.
RELATED POST: Top 10+ Activities to do in Queenstown with Kids
Mt. Cook and Hooker Valley Track – a mostly flat track leading to Mueller glacier.
Arrowtown – a quaint and historical town complete with a famous, enormous candy store!
Cardrona – while renowned as a ski destination, this adorable oasis is home of the famous Cardrona Hotel. Built in 1863, this hotel is cute enough to make it a destination stay or even just a place to grab a delicious hot cup of coffee.
Glenorchy – A town at the end of the road, this quaint NZ town is known for its amazing views and being the site of several of the most famous Lord of the Rings shots.
Routeburn Track – Routeburn Track is one of the most famous multi-day hikes in NZ as it winds under waterfalls and through lush forests. However, you can find several other trekking options from the same carpark appropriate for all ages and abilities.
Milford Sound – about a 5 hour drive from Queenstown (or a bus ride to save your sanity), is Milford Sound. A beautiful and largely-untouched animal playground, the fiords of the South Island are brimming with wildlife including dolphins, seals, penguins, and more.