Visiting Wanaka in late Autumn is simply one of our best-kept secrets. It’s a time for lots of local events. Autumn is coming to a close but the autumn colours are still simply beautiful. Easter celebrations (and crowds) are over. However the last week of the NZ school holidays still create a vibe in town. Local families are still out and about and those who visit Wanaka now can get the last of the best of Wanaka before winter actually arrives.
For those of you looking to come to Wanaka at this time, there are so many small local markets and festivals to enjoy. Celebrating everything from music to food plus local wine and craft beer at the end of the autumn. The Luma festival of lights is in Queenstown in June. That then leads into the legendary Winter Festival (a week of celebrations at the end of June, celebrating the opening of ski season). Please note: Winter Festival is on hold until 2022.
When we are checking in our guests at LWMA, we often are giving away little gems of local knowledge – not just passing over the keys! We like to discover people’s interests and point them in the right direction. It is always surprising how many travellers arrive in town purely to enjoy the quieter magic of the season before Winter gets underway.
Wanaka is also fondly known as an active capital in the region. There are multitudes of serious, amateur, and professional events, as well as elite athletes based here. The Contact Epic MTB Race is scheduled, late April, and the Southern Lakes Marathon, half marathon, and 10km race in early May.
Wanaka is a bit of a cyclist’s mecca. Many arrive with their bikes, however, there are loads of options for bike rentals too. They use Wanaka as their base while they explore the hundreds of km of tracks and trails in the region. Lycra-clad bikers of all ages can be seen out and about on the tracks and in the multitudes of cafes, bars, and restaurants.
Here in Wanaka guests can begin to curate their own local experiences. When they ask, we set guests off on a path around the tracks and trails that we as locals know. We listen to our guests and recommend routes we know they will enjoy. These always include some stunning scenery. It is these experiences that create those enduring memories of a holiday well spent.
