Long Weekend Trip Itinerary: Wanaka
Wanaka, a picturesque lakeside town in central Otago, offers a quaint downtown, lakeside views, and plenty of mountain sports. Located just over five hours from Christchurch, Wanaka makes the perfect destination for a long weekend in a campervan.
A Few Things to Note About Wanaka
The weather can be harsh in all seasons. In summer, the brutal Otago sun can make the many exposed walks in the area unbearable, so bring a sun hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water if you plan on venturing out. In winter, the dramatic landscapes are prone to rockfall, avalanches, and snow, so check the weather or head into the local i-Site to get up-to-date information.
Winters in Wanaka are cold, but there’s plenty of room for fun. Head to Treble Cone for skiing and snowboarding or try out snowshoeing or cross country skiing at Snow Farm in Cardona.
Friday Night: Christchurch to Lake Pukaki
Total drive time: 3 hours
Campsite: Lake Pukaki Freedom Camping
Once you pick up your campervan, it’s time to hit the road! You’d be remiss to start a long weekend without stopping at the Fairlie Bakehouse for a world-renowned pie. Once you’ve filled your belly, continue onto Lake Tekapo, pausing to check out the glacial blue lake and stretch your legs, before heading off to Lake Pukaki. Another glacial blue lake flanked by Aoraki/Mt Cook, you’ll have no trouble finding a freedom camping spot to rest your head, and wake up to a beautiful mountain sunrise in the morning.
Saturday: Lake Pukaki to Glendhu Bay
Drive time: 2 hours
Campsite: Glendhu Bay Motor Camp
Hit the road early Saturday morning to crush the drive time to Wānaka, and stop in for a coffee and granola from our favourite spot, Scroggin. There’s plenty of options for all sorts of dietary restrictions, so fuel up before your big day ahead.
If you’re looking for a challenge to stretch your legs, head to the Raspberry Creek car park to tackle the Rob Roy track. A 10km return journey, you’ll enjoy snowfields, glaciers, sheer rock cliffs, and waterfalls on this stunning hike.
If you’d rather a more mellow walk, try the Upper Clutha River Track, which is 18.5km return, but easy to pick up sections at a time. You can meander along the river and even find places to pop in for a swim if the weather’s nice enough!
Finally, head into camp at the Glendhu Bay Motor Camp where you’ll enjoy lakeside views in a friendly atmosphere - and jump into Lake Wānaka for a much-deserved dip.
Sunday: Glendhu Bay to Albert Town
Drive time: 20 minutes
Campsite: Albert Town Campsite
We suggest another early alarm for today, both to catch the sunrise while you brew your coffee, and so you can squeeze in another mountain climb. That’s what the mountains are all about, right?
About an hour from your new campsite for the night, Albert Town Campsite, you’ll find a Wanaka gem, the Blue Pools Track. A 3km return walk, this easy track features swing bridges and untouched views of the Makarora River flowing fast and deep. The resulting effort makes for bright blue pools, inviting visitors to marvel for a while.
If you’d prefer another mountain summit - and have the time - we suggest checking out Isthmus Peak, a 5-7 hour tramp up the mountain, with unrivaled views of Lake Wānaka and Lake Hawea.
Now you’re ready to celebrate your athletic pursuits with a brew, so head back into town to Ground Up Brewing to try a sample of their wide array of eclectic beers and pick up a rigger to enjoy at the campsite. You can satisfy your hunger with a hearty burrito from the Burrito Craft food truck on-site, or head into town for a stroll along the lakefront with a Black Peak Gelato. Then, head back to your campsite for another lakeside night.
Monday: Albert Town to Christchurch
Drive time: 5 hours
For one final stretch of the legs before your journey home, we suggest Mt Iron, an easy 4.5km loop with lasting views of Lake Wānaka. We know you’ll want to linger a while longer, so start your slow good-bye to this mountain town with a coffee at the Little Black Caravan, a local favourite.
Finally, it’s time to hit the road, but we suggest a stop at the Omarama clay cliffs to stretch your legs and give yourself a break. These geological wonders create a spiraling, scenic backdrop over the Waitaki region, and are worth exploring.
Once you’ve finished your last stop, hop back in your campervan and make the trek back to Christchurch!
If you’re ready to see what Wānaka has to offer, book a campervan to explore with ease. You can check out all of our available vans here, or get in touch so we can help you find the best van for you.
Words by Ashlyn Oswalt. Images by Julie Gursha
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