Located in the
Otago region of the South Island,
Lake Wanaka is a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. The town of Wanaka (population 4500) is nestled on the shores of the lake and is situated at an altitude of 300 m. The lake has a surface of 192 km2 and is approximately 300 m deep; it is the fourth
largest lake of New Zealand; the nearest major town is
Queenstown. It is the ideal spot to have as a base whilst exploring the southern region as it is only a stone throw from
Mount Aspiring National Park and the
Southern Alps. It is a destination popular year round; in summer visitors can go fishing, boating, sailing, swimming, jet skiing and walking (or tramping as New Zealanders call it). In winter (June till September) it is a popular base for people who go skiing or snowboarding in the Southern Alps. The town became attractive in the 1870’s when
gold was discovered; later when the rush ceased, people took to farming. A visit to the
Wanaka region wouldn’t be complete without tasting some of the local produce and some of the locally made wines.