Access

From Wanaka town centre follow the lakeshore in the direction of Glendu Bay (left looking at the lake).

Waterfall Creek is 3 km out of Wanaka. The unsealed road drops to a parking area and toilet a little behind the lake.

Track

This suburban path follows the shingle beach at the southern end of the lake, with view right up to the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park.

Pass #thatwanakatree, Wanaka Station Park, Edgewater Resort, Rippon Vineyard and the kanuka revegetation project, before entering the kanuka scrub.

Beyond Waterfall Creek, the track continues for a long way, but most interest is confined to this beginning section. Return via the same track.

This is a shared track with cyclists.

Geology

Lake Wanaka is about 300 meters above sea level, 300 metres deep and covers and area of 192 square km. It is the fourth largest lake in New Zealand.

Polynesian History

For some reason #thatwanakatree has become an Instagram icon. It’s just as fun to watch the selfie seekers as it is to be one. Sunset and sunrise see the real keen photographers out with their tripods.

Rippon Vineyard was one of the Central Otago pioneering wineries in the late 1970s. Today it produces mainly white aromatics and pinot noir.