Getting around Wanaka

Public transport isn’t really a thing in Wanaka — there are no local buses, no trains and just the odd taxi, so if you want to explore properly (and find all the good hidden spots), you’ll 100% want your own car or camper. The nearest airport to Wanaka is Queenstown, so you'll likely fly into here, and then its a 1 hour drive to Wanaka so it makes sense to pick your rental car up here.

🚙 Where to Hire a Car or Camper

You can hire cars right here in Wanaka, but most people grab one in Queenstown or Christchurch for better prices and more options.

• AdventureRentals: Adventure Rental Cars is a friendly locally owned rental car company located in Wanaka.

• Queenstown: Has a lot more options, and are cheaper than finding a rental in Wanaka. Only about an hour’s drive away, with companies like Go Rentals, Apex, JUCY, Snap Rentals, Ezi, and Hertz.

• Campers: For vanlife vibes, Mad Campers, Travellers Autobarn, Wicked Campers, or Britz/Maui are all solid picks depending on your budget and how fancy you want to go.

Tip: book early in summer — rental stock disappears fast between December and February.

⛽️ Important Things to Know

• Fuel up before leaving town. There are only a couple of petrol stations in Wanaka, and once you’re out exploring, they’re few and far between.

• Take it slow. The roads around here are beautiful but windy and narrow — especially over the Crown Range or Haast Pass. You’ll want extra time for all the photo stops anyway.

• Be prepared. Picking up these extra bits can give you peace of mind when you're out on the road. I recommend carrying jumper cables in case you (or anyone else) find yourself with a dead battery whilst out exploring. An A-Z Road Atlas of either Otago or New Zealand is also handy in case your phone dies or you lose signal (which is more or less inevitable) whilst you're on the road and need to find your way back. Finally, a puncture repair kit can also save the day in the unfortunate event you find yourself with a small leak in your tyre.

• Watch for gravel roads. A lot of the best hikes sit at the end of long unsealed tracks (like Raspberry Creek to Rob Roy Glacier). Drive slow and check road conditions after rain. Make sure to check the DOC site before heading out as the roads sometimes close.

• Winter = snow chains. If you’re here between June and September, carry chains — you might need them over the passes or heading to the ski fields.

• Drive on the left! If you’re visiting from overseas, it takes a bit to adjust — no shame in taking it slow. Better to be safe than sorry :)

🏕 Camper Tips

Freedom camping isn’t allowed in most of central Wanaka, so make sure you’re parked up in designated spots. Use CamperMate or Rankers Camping NZ to find legit campsites, toilets, and dump stations nearby. A lovely campsite is Albert Town campground - you can park up right next to the Clutha river which is stunning.

Safe travels!! ☺️🚗