Manu’s Menu

Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

  • Home
  • About
    • About me
    • About this site
    • About my photography
    • Privacy and Disclosure Policy
  • Recipes
    • Visual Archive
    • Regional Italian Recipes
  • Books
    • The Cool Side of Summer
    • Manu’s Christmas Menus
    • MsM’s Mobile App
  • Work With Me
    • Affiliate Sign-Up
    • Featured On
  • Out & About
    • Africa
      • South Africa 2019
    • Americas
      • Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize
      • CHILE AND ARGENTINA 2018
    • Asia
      • India
      • Japan 2015
      • Japan 2017
      • Japan 2018
      • Singapore
    • Europe
      • Slovenia and Croatia 2019
      • Italy 2019
    • Oceania
      • French Polynesia (Tahiti) 2017
      • French Polynesia (Tahiti)
      • New Caledonia
      • New Zealand
      • South Island – New Zealand Guide
  • Blogging Tips
    • Blogging Platform
    • Web Hosting
    • Technology Tips
    • Food Photography
    • Increasing Traffic to your Blog
    • Links
      • MsM in Your Kitchen
      • Events
        • 150 years of the Unification of Italy
        • Olio, Erbe e Fantasia – LILT
  • Tips
    • Techniques
      • Pasta and Gnocchi
      • Pizza and Other Doughs
      • Sauces and Other Basics
      • Decorations
    • Cake and Cookie decoration
      • Cake & Marshmallow Pops
        • Flowery Cake Pops
        • Hello Kitty Cake Pops
        • Dorothy the Dinosaur Cake Pops
        • Christmas Tree Cake Pops
        • Sea Marshmallow Pops
      • Fondant Cakes
        • Moo Cake
        • South Pole Cake
        • Lola Cake
        • Hello Kitty Yogurt Cake
        • Dorothy the Dinosaur Cake
        • The Little Mermaid Yogurt Cake
        • The Little Mermaid Fondant Cake
        • Sweet Sushi Mini Fondant Cakes
        • Peppa Pig Cake
        • Tinkerbell Cake
        • Miffy Cake
        • Olaf Yogurt Cake
        • Frozen Cake
      • Sugar Cookies
        • Heart Sugar Cookies
        • Dorothy the Dinosaur Sugar Cookies
        • Christmas Tree Ornament Sugar Cookies
      • Eggless Sugar Cookies
        • Chinese New Year Cookies
        • St. Patrick’s Day Cookies
      • Shortbread Cookies
        • Shortbread and Chocolate Hearts
        • Baby Shower Shortbread Cookies
        • Flounder Shortbread Cookie Pops
      • Easy Chocolate Cookies
    • Conversion Tables
    • Gift Ideas
      • Christmas 2010
      • Christmas 2011
      • Christmas 2012
      • Christmas 2013
      • Christmas 2014
      • Christmas 2015
    • Ingredients
    • Where I Shop for Italian Food in Sydney
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Travel / Wanaka – New Zealand Guide

Wanaka – New Zealand Guide

December 26, 2019 By Manu Leave a Comment

Wanaka - New Zealand Guide

During our 9-day road trip to New Zealand’s South Island, we spent 3 nights in Queenstown and used it as the base to explore the surrounding areas, Wanaka included. Today I will share with you my Wanaka – New Zealand Guide in the hope that you can find it useful to organise your own holiday.


You can also sleep in Wanaka if you are so inclined. We decided to stay in Queenstown because we didn’t feel like changing hotels each night.

SIGHTSEEING

Wanaka is located on the southern end of its namesake lake with views of snow-capped mountains. It’s the gateway to the Southern Alps’ Mount Aspiring National Park. Also, Treble Cone and Cardrona ski resorts are nearby.

CARDRONA AND THE CARDRONA BRA FENCE

On our way between Queenstown and Wanaka, we passed through Cardrona. It is a little town with plenty of old buildings.

It’s quite cute!

The Cardrona Bra Fence is an attention-grabbing tourist attraction that helps raise awareness and funds for the Breast Cancer Foundation of New Zealand. You can donate a bra or better yet some money too!

You can’t miss it, as it is along the road.

#THATWANAKATREE

This tree in the lake is probably the most photographed and instagrammed highlight of Wanaka.

I must admit it is very photogenic and it makes for some nice shots.

However, there is plenty of people around it… so don’t expect it to be quiet and try and get there early!

HIKING

This area is very famous for its amazing hiking tracks, especially the Roys Peak Track and the Rob Roy Glacier Track. Unfortunately, they were both closed when we visited… so make sure to check before you go.

Roys Peak Track

It is a half-day walk that will give you magnificent views of Wanaka, the lake and the Southern Alps.

Rob Roy Glacier Track

It is a half-day walk that leads you into Mount Aspiring National Park, an amazing world of mountains, glaciers, river valleys, and alpine lakes.

Mt. Iron Track  

We did this!! It is one of Wanaka’s most popular short walks with spectacular views.

Mount Iron is an impressive, glacier-carved, 240-metre rocky knoll. From its summit, you can see Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, the Cardrona and Upper Clutha Valleys and all the surrounding peaks, many of them in Mount Aspiring National Park in the west.

Impressive!

It takes 1.5 hours and it is about 4.5 km – some parts are quite steep.

Diamond Lakes

This track winds up to a lookout above Diamond Lake. Beyond here, there’s a choice of the Lake Wanaka Lookout, off to the right or to Rocky Mountain’s 775-metre summit via a loop track.

Spectacular views include Lake Wanaka and a skyline dominated by the surrounding peaks. The distinct shape of Mt Aspiring lies to the west.

Diamond Lake Circuit Track return is 45 minutes / 2.5km (easy)

Diamond Lake Lookout return is 1 hour / 2 km (easy-moderate, lots of stairs)

Lake Wanaka Lookout return is 2 hours / 5 km (easy-moderate)

Rocky Mountain Summit Track return is 3 hours / 7 km (moderate-hard)

FOOD

We stayed in Queenstown for 3 nights and we always had breakfast and dinner at the Mercure. That was mainly because all the places we wanted to try were booked out – it was Easter after all. However, we were also impressed by the food at the Mercure, so we did not really mind at all.

BREAKFAST

Breakfast was good and with a view.

There were both cooked and cold food items to choose from.

I particularly liked the smoked salmon.

And the pastries.

DINNER

We tried a few different dishes and they were all good. We had delicious soups like this Pumpkin Soup.

And this Cauliflower Soup.

We had some delicious steaks, cooked to perfection.

And this amazing Duo of Lamb – pistachio crumbed rack and braised lamb leg filo pastry with apricot gel and vegetables.

To me though, the highlight was dessert. I completely fell in love with their Baked Lemon Curd with pastry crumbs, meringues, and dehydrated berries. YUM!

The kids enjoyed their kids’ meals too with Chicken Nuggets.

Beef Sliders.

And ice cream.

LUNCH

We tried Ferburger’s meat pies. It’s a classic in Queenstown and both pies and burgers are very popular. 

The queue is always long, but the food is delicious. Absolutely worth it!

ACCOMMODATION

We stayed at the Mercure.

We stayed in a Superior Lake View Room with 2 Queen Beds, which was perfect for the 4 of us.

This was the view from our room.

The room was spotless and well-appointed and the hotel is in a very good position, just outside town and with free parking.

The view from the hotel’s terrace is just stunning.

There is also a swimming pool and Jacuzzi.

I can definitely recommend the Mercure for your stay in Queenstown!

CONCLUSION

Wanaka is beautiful. If you like nature and hiking, this is the place for you!

RESOURCES ON MSM

TRAVEL IN NEW ZEALAND:

North Island – New Zealand Guide

South Island – New Zealand Guide

Oamaru – New Zealand Guide

Catlins – New Zealand Guide

Doubtful Sound and Te Anau – New Zealand Guide

Milford Sound and Te Anau – New Zealand Guide

Queenstown – New Zealand Guide

Don’t forget to pin this Queenstown – New Zealand Guide!

Wanaka - New Zealand Guide

MAP

Share

Related Posts:

  • Queenstown – New Zealand Guide
  • Mt. Cook – New Zealand Guide
  • Lake Tekapo – New Zealand Guide
  • Milford Sound and Te Anau – New Zealand Guide
  • Doubtful Sound and Te Anau – New Zealand Guide

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Cardrona, guide, New Zealand, Oceania, Queenstown, road trip, South Island, tourism, travel, travel blogger, Wanaka

« Christmas 2019 Round-Up
New Year’s Eve Drinks 2019 Round-Up »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome to Manu’s Menu!

Hi! I am Manu, the author of Manu's Menu. I was born and brought up in Italy and my blog can show you how to create authentic Italian food in your own home! Read More…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

HOMEMADE PASTA MADE SIMPLE – THE BOOK. CLICK TO BUY IT FROM AMAZON NOW!

Homemade Pasta Made Simple

Archives

Categories

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Video Recipe: Orecchiette with Crudaiola Sauce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqSyzFElbRY
foodgawker bowls-150x150
tastespotting150
Tasteologie badge
Pasta & Gnocchi

The Cool Side of Summer e-Book – Click to buy it now! On SALE for only $9.99!

The Cool Side of Summer e-Book

MsM’S EBOOK – CLICK TO BUY IT NOW!

MsM’S EBOOK – CLICK TO BUY IT NOW!
Genesis Theme Framework for WordPress
Community Table Contributor Badge
Sunday Supper Movement

manusmenu

Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Vanilla and Miso Cara Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Vanilla and Miso Caramel Cheesecake Slice.  Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #lowfodmap #lowfodmapdiet #miso #cheesecake #cake #dessert #japan
Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Ragù Bianco. A tradi Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Ragù Bianco. A traditional pasta sauce from central Italy. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #Italian #italy #italianfoodbloggers #italianfood #pasta #pastasauce #ragu
Now on the blog - Trieste, Italy Guide. A surprisi Now on the blog - Trieste, Italy Guide. A surprising city. Come check it out. Clickable link in my profile.

#manusmenu #manusmenucom #travel #travelblogger #italy #tourism #Europe #trieste #holidays #beautifuldestinations #history #food
Now on the blog - Sausage and Potato Sourdough Cre Now on the blog - Sausage and Potato Sourdough Crespelle. The best comfort food. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #sourdough #sourdoughstarter #crepes #crespelle #food #foodgram #italianfoodbloggers #italianfood
Now on the blog - WWI, Italy Guide. A guide about Now on the blog - WWI, Italy Guide. A guide about some of the most important landmarks of the Great War. Clickable link in my profile.

#manusmenu #manusmenucom #travel #travelblogger #italy #tourism #Europe #cividale #friuliveneziagiulia #beautifuldestinations #war #history
Now on the blog - Sourdough Crêpes. So good. Use Now on the blog - Sourdough Crêpes. So good. Use up some of your #sourdough discard to make these delicious sweet or savoury crêpes. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #sourdough #sourdoughstarter #crepes #crespelle #food
Now on the blog - Cividale del Friuli, Italy Guide Now on the blog - Cividale del Friuli, Italy Guide. Clickable link in my profile.

#manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #travel #travelblogger #italy #tourism #Europe #cividale #friuliveneziagiulia #beautifuldestinations #history #food #italianfood
Now on the blog - Hugo. A refreshing Italian cockt Now on the blog - Hugo. A refreshing Italian cocktail and an alternative to your everyday spritz. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #Italian #hugo #spritz #prosecco #drinks #cocktails #elderflower
Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Pork Meatball Satay S Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Pork Meatball Satay Stir Fry. So good. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #lowfodmap #lowfodmapdiet #satay #stirfry #pork #meatballs
Now on the blog - Quick Pickled Cucumbers. So crun Now on the blog - Quick Pickled Cucumbers. So crunchy and refreshing. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #picklingcucumbers #pickles #pickling #garden #cucumber #vegetarian #vegan #video
Now on the blog - Coffee Panna Cotta. Wobbly and d Now on the blog - Coffee Panna Cotta. Wobbly and delicious. Clickable link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #Italian #pudding #italy #italianfoodbloggers #italianfood #coffee #pannacotta
Now on the blog - Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls. Recipe Now on the blog - Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls. Recipe adapted from the wonderful @jennifer_rodda. The best way to use up some of your Sourdough discard. Clickable recipe link on my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #sourdough #sourdoughstarter #pastry #cinnamonrolls #teatime #breakfast
Follow on Instagram

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2011-2020 - Manu's Menu and Manuela Zangara. All rights reserved.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more