5 best camping adventures around Wanaka - summer 2021

We’re going to be bold and say that if you aren’t a big beach person, Wanaka is the best summer holiday destination in New Zealand. The town itself is pretty and compact, and the environment has everything you could want - beautiful lakes and mountains, plus great hikes, cycling trails, and other outdoor activities.

If you’re exploring the South Island this summer, here are our top five destinations and activities surrounding Wanaka - plus the best places to stay if you’re travelling in a motorhome or tenting.

Glendhu Bay

Glendhu Bay has the best lakeside camping for motorhomes and tenting near Wanaka, just fifteen minutes’ drive from Wanaka township. It also sits right off Mt Aspiring Road, where many excellent hikes start from. From Glendhu Bay, two of the best intermediate hikes in the area are right on your doorstep...

Glendhu Bay Track

If you’re interested in a moderate hike or bike ride with consistently stunning views, the Glendhu Bay Track is for you. The track follows the Lake Wanaka shoreline from Glendhu Bay to Ruby Island Road Car Park, and takes three to four hours walking or one to two hours cycling each way.

You can walk as far as you like, and there are plenty of places where the path connects to small, sandy bays by the lake. Take a picnic - or if you’re an early riser, go before dawn to watch the sunrise over the mountains.

Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain

Five minutes’ drive from Glendhu Bay, just along Wanaka Mt Aspiring Road, you’ll find the various Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain walking tracks. The walks take you up Rocky Mountain to excellent views of Lake Wanaka, Diamond Lake and the surrounding mountains, and there are options to choose from depending on how much walking you want to do.

It’s only a twenty minute walk from the car park to Diamond Lake. From there you can take a short uphill hike to the Diamond Lake Lookout, about one hour return; a longer walk to the Lake Wanaka Lookout, about two hours return; or take the Rocky Mountain Summit Track, for around three hours return.

If you’re an avid hiker, there are plenty of other moderate and challenging tracks around Wanaka to keep you happy. Some of the most popular are Isthmus Peak and Mt Roy, so if you want to escape the crowds, try out Grand View Track, Minaret Burn, or Mt Aspiring Track. Rob Roy Glacier is another must-do - as well as the glacier, there are keas, swing bridges and waterfalls to keep you company.

Lake Hawea

Lake Hawea is a fifteen minute drive from Wanaka and also has some good camping options, so it’s a great place to stay if you’re exploring the area. The lake itself offers plenty of activities, from boating, swimming, kite surfing and kayaking to nearby walking and cycling trails.

From Lake Hawea, one of our favourite day trips is taking Lake Hawea Road from the western side of the lake to either Makarora or continuing on to Haast Pass and the Blue Pools walking track. The drive itself is gorgeous, with some of the best views in the region.

You can stay beside Lake Hawea at the public campground, or at one of Campable’s private sites.

Cardrona

While Cardrona is best-known as one of New Zealand’s most popular ski fields, it also has plenty to offer during the summer months. Situated comfortably between Wanaka and Queenstown, it’s the country’s only mountain carting destination (think three wheels, speed, and great views), and a great place for horseback riding, beginner mountain biking, and quad biking. You can also take the gondola up to the base and then hike to the summit for 360-views.

Another classic is, of course, the Cardrona Hotel. Founded in 1863 during the Otago Gold Rush, the Cardrona Hotel is the perfect spot for a drink and some food in the lovely beer garden after a day of exploring. Plus, with Campable you can stay right on the property in your motorhome or campervan.

Cromwell

At 40 minutes’ drive from Wanaka, Cromwell is a little further afield, but certainly not to be missed. Why? Because it’s the fruit-producing capital of the South Island, and who would skip the freshest peaches, berries, and apricots in the country?

You can also cycle along Lake Dunstan, jet boat on the Kawarau River, or go on one of the many nearby hikes. Check out Cromwell’s public camping accommodation, or opt for luxury vineyard camping at River Rock Estate.

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