Wanaka, New Zealand Photography

Photographing Wanaka

Wanaka is a lakeside town on the shore of Lake Wanaka, surrounded by the peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park. Quieter than nearby Queenstown, it is a base for alpine walks and home to a single lone willow tree standing in the lake.

Where to shoot

#ThatWanakaTree — the lone willow standing in the lake, set against the mountains at sunrise and sunset
Roys Peak — a steep ridge track with a panoramic lookout over Lake Wanaka and its islands
Mount Aspiring National Park — glaciated peaks and valleys rising beyond the far shore of the lake
Lake Wanaka shoreline — golden grasses and clear water reflecting the Southern Alps on calm days

When to go

Summer (December–March) is ideal for hiking and lake swimming; come in autumn for golden foliage or winter (July–August) for nearby skiing.

What to eat

South Island lamb, locally grown stone fruit from the Central Otago orchards, and craft beer from the region's breweries.

Where to stay

Staying in Wanaka town puts the lakefront, the willow tree and the Roys Peak trailhead all within a short drive.

The lone willow is reachable on foot in low water and ringed by the lake when it is high; arriving before dawn means uninterrupted views as the light comes up.