Love the way Wanaka is taking cyclists with it as it grows and develops – great traffic calming measures, safe crossings, wide walking/cycling paths. We are here for a week and this is some of the fun stuff we got to do. Although a tourist town, it is built for locals to enjoy – eat and play like a local is one of their by lines. Magical any time of the year – but autumn is particularly spectacular.
Edgeware resort for coffee
An easy cycle into town and follow the trail past #thatwanakatree. Edgeware resort is right on the trail, great coffee and scones – or go for one of the sandwiches – I did and it happily fueled the rest of my day. You can keep cycling around the lake as far as Glendhu Bay. This is also the route to Roys Peak for that other quintessential Wanaka photo spot.
Hawea River Track
Definately the best ride – 2 hours – easy riding along the Hawea river, across a swing bridge, through a nature reserve. Coffee and lunch at Hawea On the Spot or start and finish at the best patisserie in New Zealand – Pembroke at AlbertTown
Dunstan Cycle Trail
Cromwell is less than an hour away from Wanaka, and we decided to do Smiths Way to Cromwell Precinct – an easy and fun one hour ride each way – along the lake. For more excitement – do the trail through the gorge – spectacular – perhaps the most spectacular in NZ, but not for beginners.
Bendigo Scenic Reserve
One day we took a break from cycling and drove 40 mins to this scenic reserve – lots of walking tracks on this stony and arid landscape – you can see over the vineyards and farms of Bendigo and Tarras to the mountains beyond. I loved exploring Welshtown – the old goldmining settlement where you can see the remains of the schist and mud homes, that have literally been built from the earth.
Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley
A wet day had us head out to Cadrona and up the formidable Crown Range to Gibbston Valley Winery and Arrowtown and back through the Kawerau Gorge. This drive is not to be attempted by the faint hearted or in bad weather, but it is worth it. Take your bikes and explore over here – my favourite is the Arrowtown to Kawerau Gorge Ride – the Arrow Bridges Trail.
Big Fig – Slow Food Served Fast
In the centre of town beside the Isite you will find Big Fig – fabulous food prepared – you choose your options from the cabinet. We had two meals here – one eat in and one take away. It is a must!
