Wanaka is a delight in all seasons
Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet is ideally located to access the vast array of activities that Wanaka has on offer - from skiing to golf, canyoning to wine tasting, scenic flights to fishing and many, many more! The team at Whare Kea Lodge and Chalet have extensive local knowledge and have experienced all of the regions adventures, and are more than happy to assist you with your plans during your stay with us.
Airborne
Canyoning
An exhilarating challenge, canyoning involves climbing, jumping, abseiling down waterfalls, swimming and floating through spectacular rock formations.
Cycling
Wanaka is well suited for exploring by bike, with a variety of mountain-biking trails in the district. Cyclists can choose from gentle paths through serene countryside to more challenging descents from mountain slopes.
Fishing
You don’t have to travel far from Whare Kea to find your own piece of paradise in which to fish, with the nearby rivers and streams brimming with salmon and trout.
Four Wheel Drive Safari
Golf
New Zealand is renowned for its superb golf courses. But in Central Otago, set among the most stunning scenery, the views could well interrupt the concentration of even the most dedicated golfer.
Horseriding
Timber Creek has a stable of 16 horses, including thoroughbreds, and offers a range of rides tailored to your equestrian skills.
Hunting
For hunters seeking game in the hinterland of Wanaka, tahr is the ultimate target, for New Zealand is the only place in the world where this magnificent beast can be freely hunted.
Jetboating
New Zealander Sir Charles William Feilden Hamilton, more commonly known as Bill Hamilton, is credited with developing the jetboat from a desire to navigate rivers too shallow for propeller boats.
Kayaking
The Wanaka region offers the gamut of kayaking options, from a gentle paddle at your leisure on the lake to scenic river trips and bracing action through rapids.
Mountaineering
Mountaineering is a serious pursuit and taking a guide is recommended. Around these parts experts, who have traversed the international slopes and guided the “greats”, are sought after for a journey up the summits known for their amazing grandeur.
Rafting
For a full wilderness rafting experience, the Landsborough River is hard to beat. It’s usually a two- or three-day camping trip covering 50-odd kilometres, accessed by helicopter or fixed-wing plane, though some operators offer a one-day option.
Skiing - Resort, Heli & Touring
Resort Skiing
A half-hour drive from the lodge brings you to some of the world’s finest resort skiing, with beautiful wide basins and an abundance of powder.
Hosted Resort Skiing
Experience Wanaka's outstanding ski resorts and beauty with personalized, hosted day trips. With NZ Snow Tours' local knowledge and expertise, you will be shown the best ski runs and hidden secrets that these resorts have to offer.
Heli Skiing & Ski Touring
Whare Kea’s chalet, at 1750 metres above sea level on the slopes of Dragonfly Peak, makes an ideal base for skiing in the dramatic alpine setting.
Tramping
Wanaka has a wealth of tramping options that take you into the unrivalled alpine surrounds, with trips ranging from one to eight days. Many are around the three- to four-day mark and all are recommended during fair weather in the months of November to April.
Winery Tours
With an international reputation, especially for Pinot Noir, the Central Otago vineyards are a must-visit. Take a private tour for a half or full day through the region – meet the winemakers and sample some of the award-winning wines.
Walking
Beautiful walks abound in the lodge’s immediate environs where you can take in spectacular vistas of the lake and surrounding mountains. A track following the contour of the lake leads to the delightful town of Wanaka in around an hour.
Whare Kea Lodge Boating
Springtime at Wanaka. Sprouts of green leaves. Sprigs of pink blossom. Golden daffodils. Cloud-white fleece on newborn lambs. Puffy white breasts of the wood pigeons gorging on bursting willow buds. A sky filled with bird wings – terns, dotterels, pied stilts and oystercatchers returning from a northern winter to breed on the river banks.
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