Wanaka Adventure
Our latest trip mirrored off the very successful Glenorchy Adventure.
Includes a Helicopter trip around Mount Aspiring and a water Taxi ride on the lake to and from Moa Waho Island.
Bookings open in July 2025
Price $TBC
Trip 1; March 16th to 20th 2026
If you have any queries about any of our trips, please contact the trip co-ordinator
Steve McLay 021 106 6733 steve@mclayboats.co.nz
ABOUT:
Wanaka is the go to place of Central Otago with thousands of holiday makers per year. I have holidayed there for over 20 years and have used my local knowledge to put together a very exciting 5 day trip.
We book out the entire Zula Lodge with its large lounge and we go across the road to the Albie Tavern evening meals which makes for a very relaxing evenings.
ITINERARY:
Note: Schedue may be changed around to suit the weather.
Day 1; After arriving at the Zula Lodge around 2pm and getting settled in we will walk Wanaka's most popular walking track. Mount Iron walk takes around 1.5 hours and has fantastic views of the town, the lower part of the lake and the mountains. Plenty of time to wander through the shops or have a swim before dinner.
Day 2; Drive round to West Wanaka then walk 10km up the west side of the lake. We will enjoy stunning lake and mountain views on the way. Have lunch on the beach opposite Mou Waho Island. The Wanaka Water Taxi boats will pick us up and take us to Mou Waho island where we will walk up the track and view the lake in the top of the island. Then back to the boats and cruise down the lake and get dropped off at the lake outlet. Walk 4km down the river track which follows the Clutha river and back to the Zula Lodge.
Day 3; Drive up the side of Lake Hawea and then upper Lake Wanaka to Makarora and walk the 6km return Mount Shrimpton track. A good, steep bush walk to the uplands of the McKerrow Range. Great views of the Makarora Valley below and the alps beyond. Have lunch at the Cafe, then a short drive to the Blue Pools Carpark. 15min walk into the very famous Blue Pools where swimming is permitted. We will stop at Lake Hawea on the way back and walk the 12km Gladstone Track along the shore of Lake Hawea or at least part of it before returning to the Lodge.
Day 4; Drive to Diamond Lake car park on Mt Aspiring Road. We walk, climbing steadily to this small lake where a circuit track is marked. Then follow another track which winds up to a lookout deck with wonderful views of Diamond Lake and the surrounding mountains. Beyond here, follow the track to the right to the Lake Wānaka Lookout, or to the left for Rocky Mountain’s 775-metre summit via a loop track. From here there are spectacular views of Lake Wānaka and a skyline dominated by the surrounding peaks. The distinct shape of Mt Aspiring/Tititea lies to the west. Total distance is 7km (around 3 hours). Have lunch then drive to Glendhu bay and walk the 10km track along the edge of Lake Wanaka to waterfall creek which takes around 2.5 hours.
Day 5; Helicopter trip. We drive to the base of Treble Cone to Aspiring Helicopters base. Get up close and personal with Mt Aspiring (Tititea) and its pristine glaciers on our most popular and diverse scenic helicopter flight. Your one hour tour includes two high altitude alpine landings with plenty of time for photos and to enjoy being completely immersed in a remote alpine wilderness!
Mount Aspiring is the highest peak outside of the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and extremely popular for National and International mountain climbers. Due to it’s pyramid shape and dominance of the landscape it is often referred to as the “Matterhorn of the South”. It is the pinnacle of the National Park and sits at the junction of three major glaciers, which are spectacular in their own right. This region is famous for its hanging and valley glaciers. On your helicopter tour you will discover some of the highlights of New Zealand’s third largest National Park, Mt Aspiring. Together with Fiordland, Westland and Mt Cook it forms an integral part of the Te Waipounamu World Heritage area. An area that boasts some of the finest examples of glaciated landforms in the Southern Hemisphere. You will experience some of these stunning glacier formations up close, as your pilot skilfully navigates the mountain tops. The thrill of your flight will be matched by the skill and expertise of your pilot. In addition, all our helicopter flights include personal commentary from your pilot who will show you the hidden sights on this scenic tour. Your tour includes two different alpine landings. You will feel totally immersed in the vastness of this alpine region. Excellent photo opportunities with the Southern Alps as a backdrop. This is the ultimate helicopter tour for those wanting to truly experience the remote backcountry around Wanaka.
Then back to Wanaka for Lunch before we head back to Dunedin.
TRANSPORT AND FOOD:
Our vans leave from the Leviathan Hotel in Dunedin at 8.15am. We will stop at Lawrence for a cuppa and lunch at Cromwell on the way up.
We can pick you up enroute. If you choose to meet us in Wanaka there is no discount to the cost of the trip. Prices are all based on travel from Dunedin.
All food is supplied by us or the Albie Tavern but you may wish to bring along some snacks such as scroggin. You will also need cash or card for your refreshments each evening. Snacks can also be brought from the 4 Square across the road.
CONTACT:
Steve McLay
Phone; 021 1066733
Email:steve@mclayboats.co.nz
