Wānaka, Queenstown and the wider Queenstown Lakes region are seeing strong tourism activity as New Zealand’s international visitor recovery continues, with the country recording 3.63 million international visitors in the year ending March 2026, compared with 3.87 million in the corresponding 2019 period. That places international visitor numbers at about 94% of the pre-pandemic level, while the same period also recorded international visitor spending at 94% of the 2019 level after inflation adjustment.
The South Island’s Queenstown Lakes area remains an important part of that recovery. Queenstown is New Zealand’s second-most visited destination after Auckland, with one in three international tourists visiting the area, according to Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment information. International visitor arrivals in Queenstown were also 28% above 2019 levels in 2024.
For travellers, the region offers a combination of alpine scenery, winter sports, lake landscapes and year-round outdoor experiences, with Wānaka providing a quieter base alongside Queenstown’s established tourism infrastructure.
Winter brings skiing and mountain experiences
Wānaka’s winter tourism calendar centres on access to alpine areas including Cardrona and Treble Cone, while Queenstown provides additional ski fields and mountain activities within the surrounding Southern Alps. The region’s winter landscape also creates opportunities for scenic drives, hiking on accessible tracks, lakefront experiences and photography.
Cardrona Alpine Resort is positioned between Wānaka and Queenstown, allowing visitors to base themselves in either destination while accessing the ski area. Treble Cone, located near Lake Wānaka, provides another major winter destination and is accessible by road from the town.
The concentration of ski fields around the Queenstown Lakes district allows travellers to combine several mountain experiences during one trip, while accommodation in Wānaka and Queenstown supports multi-day itineraries.
Wānaka offers a four-season travel experience
Wānaka’s appeal extends beyond the winter ski season. Lake Wānaka and nearby Lake Hāwea provide a setting for boating, walking, cycling, sightseeing and other outdoor activities during warmer months. The surrounding mountains and trails also create opportunities for longer adventure itineraries.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council has identified Wānaka’s tourism attractions as a major component of visitor activity in the area, with Lakes Wānaka and Hāwea and nearby ski fields forming important elements of its tourism landscape.
For travellers planning a longer South Island holiday, Wānaka can be combined with Queenstown, Central Otago and other destinations across the region. The route allows visitors to experience lakes, mountains, vineyards, adventure activities and alpine scenery without relying on a single seasonal attraction.
International tourism continues to recover
New Zealand’s latest tourism figures show that the international market is moving closer to its pre-pandemic position. For the year ending March 2026, international visitor numbers reached 3.63 million, compared with 3.87 million for the year ending March 2019. Holiday and vacation travel accounted for 52% of visitors, matching the 2019 proportion.
Several major source markets have already moved above their previous levels. Visitors from Australia reached 105% of the 2019 level, while visitors from the United States reached 106% for the year ending March 2026.
These figures provide a broader context for the winter activity across Queenstown Lakes, where international visitors form an important part of the tourism market.
Queenstown strengthens the regional travel network
Queenstown remains a major gateway for South Island travel and provides extensive accommodation, dining, transportation and activity options. Visitors can use the town as a base for trips to Arrowtown, Glenorchy, Central Otago and Fiordland, while Wānaka provides access to a different side of the region.
The two destinations can also be combined into one itinerary. Travellers can spend several nights around Queenstown before crossing to Wānaka, then continue toward Central Otago or other South Island destinations. This creates opportunities to experience multiple landscapes without leaving the wider region.
Summer keeps Wānaka moving
The strength of Wānaka tourism is not limited to winter. During warmer months, visitors arrive for lake activities, hiking, cycling, scenic excursions and outdoor recreation. The surrounding landscapes provide access to trails and mountain routes, while the town’s lakefront setting remains central to the visitor experience.
Wānaka Recreation Centre also reached 2 million visits in July 2026 after opening in 2016, reflecting the area’s year-round use of recreation facilities by residents and visitors.
The district’s visitor activity extends into camping as well. Queenstown Lakes District Council recorded approximately 28,000 freedom-camping nights on council-managed land between December 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026.
Wānaka becomes part of New Zealand’s broader tourism recovery
The latest international visitor data shows New Zealand moving steadily toward its pre-pandemic tourism scale, while Queenstown and Wānaka continue to serve as major South Island destinations. With winter bringing skiing and alpine activities and the warmer seasons opening access to lakes, trails and outdoor recreation, Wānaka offers travellers multiple reasons to visit throughout the year.
For visitors planning a South Island journey, the combination of Wānaka, Queenstown, Lake Wānaka, Lake Hāwea and surrounding alpine destinations creates a route built around mountains, water, adventure and seasonal travel. As international visitor numbers approach 2019 levels, the Queenstown Lakes region remains firmly connected to New Zealand’s recovering global tourism network.
