By the time meteorological summer sweeps into the Southern Lakes (that’s December in the southern hemisphere), the much of the snowmelt has worked its way out of the Matukituki Valley and Lake Wānaka sits at its clearest, glacial blue against the Buchanan Range. Daylight stretches past 10pm. Ripening apricots weigh down the trees of Central Otago and perhaps the earliest varieties of cherries make an appearance at the Wānaka farmers market. The poplars that line the lake, planted generations ago for shelter and erosion control, are in full leaf. This is Wānaka between December and February: a small alpine town with a big lake, at the centre of a wider region that rewards guests who venture around.
Release NZ manages architecturally designed holiday homes across this entire region: in Wānaka itself, Queenstown, Arrowtown, Lake Hāwea and Central Otago. What follows is a summer guide to where to spend our longest days, and where to base yourself while you do.
What summer in Wānaka actually looks like
Summer here runs from December to February, with January typically the busiest month and possibly the warmest although February and sometimes March play hard for that latter title too. Expect long light, warm days in the mid-twenties, and temperate evenings once the sun drops behind the Southern Alps. Snow lingers on the highest peaks well into December, feeding the Clutha and Cardrona rivers at pace.
The lake is the organisational pull of the season. Locals swim before work at Ruby Island or off the town beach. Paddleboarders and kayakers work the calmer water near the Wānaka Tree, the solitary willow now more photographed than almost anything else in the South Island. Further round, Colquhouns Beach offers a quieter swimming and picnic spot reached through native forest and bush, and the flat lakeside track from the Dinosaur Park to Beacon Point suits an evening walk as well as a morning ride.
For those wanting more elevation, Mt Iron gives a short, sharp climb with a full basin view in under two hours (there and back if you’re in good shape). Roys Peak is a longer proposition entirely, a demanding 1,200-metre climb best started at first light in summer, before the car park fills and the heat sets in. Our guide to hikes and day walks around Wānaka covers the full range, and our biking guide maps the flatter lakeside rides against the more technical trails above town.
Mountain biking has its own season here, and summer is when the network is driest and at its best. Sticky Forest, a pine plantation just north of the town centre reached from car parks at the end of Platinum Ridge and Infinity Drive, holds more than 30 kilometres of trails ranging from flowing singletrack to technical jumps and drops. Deans Bank Track follows the Clutha River from Albert Town Campground and links through to Sticky Forest for riders wanting a longer loop. Ten minutes from town at Glendhu Bay, Bike Glendhu adds shuttle-served downhill runs to the mix, with the trailhead looking straight back across the lake to the Southern Alps. Our dedicated Wānaka mountain biking guide breaks each trail down by grade, and our Travel Fixer team can arrange bike hire and shuttles at Glendhu directly.
Beyond the basin: Lake Hāwea and Central Otago
Fifteen minutes over the Neck road, Lake Hāwea offers the same water and mountains with a fraction of the summer crowd. It is a deliberately quieter corner of the region, favoured by guests who want the view without the foot traffic (and the backdrop to Lake Hāwea is one of coffee table photography tomes). Release NZ’s Lake Hāwea properties sit on land overlooking the lake and the surrounding high country, including Lake Hāwea View, set on 25 acres above the water, and The Lake House at Lake Hāwea Station, backed directly onto the Southern Alps.
Further afield, Central Otago rewards a full day out from Wānaka. Cyclists ride sections of the Lake Dunstan Trail between the heritage townships of Cromwell and Clyde, an easier grade than the alpine tracks closer to town but 40+ kilometres with only an in and an out, and no services in between. Whether you want to adventure Central’s newest ride by acoustic or e-bike, we can organise it for you, and recommendation where to head for brunch or lunch as part of your day.
Cellar doors around Bannockburn and along Felton Road are open for tastings (some by appointment only) for those seeking a slower loop through Cromwell, Bannockburn and back giving a full sense of why Central Otago pinot noir has the reputation it does. Our wine tasting guide sets out which cellar doors are worth the drive and which are better arranged through a private guide. Release NZ’s Central Otago collection includes The Boulders Retreat above Lake Dunstan and The Coach House, a restored heritage building part of Earnscleugh Castle, near Clyde positioned for the trail and the wineries alike.
Queenstown and Arrowtown for a change of pace
The drive over the Crown Range to Queenstown takes around fifty minutes in summer conditions, climbing past Cardrona before dropping into the Wakatipu Basin. Arrowtown sits at the base of the range along the Arrow River, its gold-rush cottages and plane trees offering shade that the open Wānaka basin doesn’t always have in the height of summer. Millbrook Resort’s golf course and the cellar doors and restaurants at Ayburn are a short hop from Arrowtown’s centre and on everyone’s to-do list.
Release NZ’s Queenstown and Arrowtown properties suit guests splitting time between the two towns. Aroha Homestead sits on the Millbrook fairways, five minutes from historic Arrowtown, with its own pool and spa pool for the hotter afternoons. In Queenstown itself, 38 Edinburgh holds a lake and mountain outlook across the town, and Bellbrae suits larger groups wanting a base close to the restaurants and lake edge. For a fuller sense of the area, see our guide to the best places to stay in Queenstown.
Dining through the season
Summer produce in this region runs to stone fruit from Cromwell and lamb off the high country stations such as Royalburn, with trout from the Clutha and Cardrona when guides can get to it. The inaugural Michelin Guide New Zealand named Kika in Wānaka among its one-star restaurants, alongside Rātā, Amisfield and Sherwood around Queenstown, and Essence at the ROKI Collection with two stars. Our Michelin Guide roundup has the full list, including where to book and how far ahead. For something more informal, our guide to Wānaka’s breweries covers three worth knowing, from a lakefront tap room to a converted workshop on the back roads.
Where to stay
Within Wānaka itself, Release NZ’s summer portfolio includes The Dacha, a six-bedroom residence with commanding lake and mountain views, Beacon Retreat with its own pool and sauna close to the water, and Three Peaks House, an award-winning private villa moments from the lake edge. Our guide to luxury accommodation in Wānaka and the ultimate vacation homes in Wānaka go into more detail on the wider collection, including options suited to couples, families and multi-generational groups.
Guests planning a longer stay often split their time: a week based in Wānaka for the lake and a few nights in Central Otago for quiet, before a final stretch in Arrowtown or Queenstown ahead of the flight home. Our Travel Fixer team can arrange the private transfers and restaurant bookings between each stop, so the logistics sit behind the scenes rather than in front of them.
Summer in Wānaka FAQs
When is summer in Wānaka?
December through February, with January vying for the warmest month and the longest daylight hours.
What is the best month to visit Wānaka in summer?
Late November and early December mean you’ll enjoy the warmth of summer days before the summer crowds arrive over Christmas. The traditional three week industrial shut-down over Christmas makes early January busy with domestic travellers as well as international visitors exploring the concept of a hot weather festive season. Come February, school are back and there’s more space to breathe – on the lakeside and in terms of accommodation choice and activities availability.
How far is Wānaka from Queenstown, Arrowtown and Lake Hāwea?
Downtown Queenstown is around an hour and 15 minutes over the Crown Range from Wānaka, less if you’re only going as far as Frankton or hanging a left towards Gibbston Valley. Arrowtown sits just before Queenstown at the base of the range. Lake Hāwea is around fifteen minutes over the Neck road.
Is Wānaka good for families in summer?
Yes. Lakeside beaches with shallow, sheltered swimming and flat biking tracks suit families with younger children, and Mt Iron makes a good short climb for slightly older kids. Roys Peak and the backcountry stations further out suit teenagers and adults wanting more of a climb.
To talk through a stay across Wānaka, Lake Hāwea, Central Otago, Arrowtown or Queenstown, get in touch with our team.