Otago · Hard · 2 days

Wanaka Lakeside

Panoramic summits & lakeside swimming

54.8 km walking20 km driving2 days8 stops

Best for Views, Swimming.

Dogs on this trip. Dogs are welcome on every track on this route: Mount Iron is a DOC scenic reserve, and the lakefront walks sit under Queenstown Lakes District Council's dog bylaw, which covers town, the Outlet and Glendhu Bay. Both holiday parks (Wānaka TOP 10 and Glendhu Bay) take dogs by prior arrangement only - book and confirm before you arrive, and dog-friendly spots like Kai Whakapai seat dogs in the outdoor courtyard, not inside. Before any lake swim check the Otago Regional Council / LAWA toxic-algae warnings, as cyanobacteria blooms hit the slow water near the Outlet in summer; carry water for the shadeless Mount Iron climb and watch DOC alerts for seasonal predator-control (1080) operations in the reserves.

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Day 1

Summit & Lake

1
Mount Iron Track
Dogs allowed4.7 km · Moderate · 1.5–2 hr
360-degree views over the whole basin - Wanaka's must-do climb. A DOC reserve with no shade, so carry water.
~2 km drive
2
Kai Whakapai Eatery & Craft Beer Bar
Dogs at outdoor tables
Lakefront corner cafe-bar for a post-climb feed - dogs welcome in the outdoor courtyard only.
3
Wanaka Millennium Walkway
Dogs allowed27.8 km · Hard · 7–7.5 hr
Long lakefront path with swim spots - dogs are welcome right through the township.
~3 km drive
4
Wānaka TOP 10 Holiday Park
Dogs by arrangement, call ahead
In-town lakeside holiday park - dogs by prior arrangement, so book and confirm ahead.
~3 km drive to Day 2

Day 2

Bays & Wetlands

1
Federal Diner
Dogs at outdoor tables
Town cafe for coffee and breakfast before the drive west - outdoor seating for dogs.
2
The Outlet Track
Dogs allowed12.2 km · Moderate · 3–3.5 hr
Where the lake spills into the Clutha River - wetland birdlife and river flats, dogs welcome.
~4 km drive
3
Glendhu Bay Track
Dogs allowed10.1 km · Moderate · 2.5–3 hr
Beautiful lakeside bay with a swim at the end - dogs welcome the whole way.
~8 km drive
4
Glendhu Bay Holiday Park
Dogs by arrangement, call ahead
Lakefront park right at the bay - the local favourite, dogs by arrangement only.

Banks’ tip. No DOC campsites in Wanaka - Glendhu Bay Holiday Park is excellent. Mount Iron is stunning at sunset.

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