Wanaka: New Zealand’s best-kept secret

Press, 22 July 1986, Page 33

Wanaka: New Zealand’s best-kept secret

It has often been said that Wanaka is New Zealand’s best kept secret The quiet lake-side town has escaped the mass invasion of overseas tourists, yet its attractions are just as diverse as Queenstown’s and its charm, equally appealing. During the peak-time summer months Wanaka is a popular holiday spot for South Islanders in particular, but it does not have the year-round tourist crowds of other popular southern resorts. Prices are generally cheaper than Queenstown, and the weather more settled.

Wanaka offers its winter visitors a choice of three ski-ing areas within a radius of 30 kilometres — two downhill and one cross country. (See story below.)

Wanaka is the gateway to the Mount Aspiring National Park. Its highest peak is the 3000-metre Mount Aspiring, often called the Matterhorn of New Zealand — more because of its pinnacle shape than its height. The mountain is surrounded by about 15 major glaciers varying in size from five to 11 kilometres in length.

Trampers and fishermen find a paradise in this area. The park headquarters are located in

Wanaka, offering visitors a detailed information service on tramping, tracks, huts, fishing, and hunting.

There are also sightseeing flights, launch trips, ice skating and, in season, rafting and jet boating on the Clutha

River. A new tourist information centre is in the shopping area opposite the lake front Wanaka, population

1600, has an excellent range of accommodation from luxury hotels and motels to more modest motels and camping

facilities. New attractions include hovercraft rides and cruises 'by sailing schooner on the lake.