Wanaka well prepared for big boost in tourist numbers

Press, 14 July 1987, Page 14

Wanaka well prepared for big boost in tourist numbers

Bv

TONY ORMAN.

of Wellington

Paul Kirkpatrick, manager of the new Edgewater Resort Hotel complex at Wanaka, does not hesitate when I ask him about Wanaka’s tourism potential: “It has a very bright future!” he exclaims. Will it become another Queenstown or, perhaps, even out-do its neighbour? “Sure it’s a very viable alternative to Queenstown in the long term but I hope it’s not seen like that. The two should complement each other as focal points within the Southern Lakes district.” Paul Kirkpatrick, an Australian, now lives at Wanaka. The potential for the Wanaka area is there. He smiles and points to

Tony Orman is a journalist with the Tourist and Publicity Department in Wellington.

the lake, gently sweeping his arm in an. arc to convey the whole panorama. The Edgewater Resort looks north across the lake to the blue alpine backdrop of the mountains. It’s rugged land carved by glaciers leaving steep u-shaped valleys, sharply etched arete ridges and deep, clear glacial lakes like Wanaka. Wanaka has always been a holiday area for New Zealanders. In summer holidays, they come to Wanaka to see in the New Year and perhaps to go trout fishing. “Wanaka’s airport can be upgraded to take jets. Weather-wise it has advantages over most air-

ports and the approaches offer no problems.” John Lee, director of the blossoming ski area at nearby Cardrona, agrees the airport development will be a springboard to tourism growth in the area. “The airport is crucial to Wanaka’s future in tourism,” he says. John Lee is a self-made success story in tourism. His high-country sheep farm has been turned into a winter-time $7 million ski area. Despite frustrations with bureaucracy in planning and approvals the Cardrona ski area has arrived. John Lee says there’s an endless market internationally, and the

airport will help the area to tap it. Wanaka has natural attributes to be a major resort. The alpine surroundings and varied activities embracing both summer and winter sports give it a twelve month in the year appeal. Within a short drive are Treble Cone and Cardrona ski fields. Treble Cone is said to be the skifield with the most beautiful view in the region. It’s no idle boast. Located 28 kilometres from Wanaka and overlooking the lake and township, it offers varied ski-ing including heli-ski-ing and steep slopes for the experienced. Cardrona, located between Queenstown and Wanaka on the Crown Range Road, offers the largest lift capacity of any ski field in the Southern Lakes area. The five lifts can carry 6000 visitors per hour. Cardrona has fine learner slopes and features nordic crosscountry ski-ing. Facilities are excellent from cafeterias to chairlifts and the new Captain’s Basin chairlift has opened a whole new field of challenging ski-ing for advanced skiers. The two ski areas have made Wanaka a Mecca for skiers. Outside of the ski season, Wanaka’s alpine surroundings give summer outdoor adventure options. You can hike up mountain valleys such as the Matukituki and enjoy the mountain scenery of the Mt Aspiring National Park. Trout fishing is excellent in mountain rivers. Just a short drive is Lake Hawea with a very fine camping ground and excellent fishing for rainbow and brown trout and landlocked salmon. The Clutha River flowing from Lake Wanaka is a flyfisher’s dream and the evening rise has given it a high reputation. If you crave for the ultimate in fly fishing, take in a few nights at Cedar Lodge which is run by Dick Fraser. Situated at the northern end of Lake Wanaka, in the Makarora Valley, it’s a setting amidst the sweet silence and alpine backdrop of serrated peaks. Dick Fraser has his own fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter.