Seniors Venture Down To Wanaka, New Zealand

 I recently read in a popular travel magazine that one of the hottest towns in New Zealand today is Wanaka, population 7,400, a popular ski and summer resort town in the Otago region of the South Island. Senior travelers find Wanaka situated at the southern end of Lake Wanaka, at the start of the Clutha River.

The present site of Wanaka was first surveyed in 1863, and settlement increased in Pembroke (the old name for Wanaka) during the 1870s because of timber milling in the Matukituki Valley and the use of Lake Wanaka for transport. Tourism in the town began in 1867 with the opening of the first hotel.

Since then, the town is booming and  is much more than a winter destination for skiing. Year round activities include fishing, hiking, what they call canyoning, climbing steep hills and skydiving. Visit the nearby towns of Queenstown, Cromwell and Alexandra where senior visitors can go shopping, or simply sit in a local café and watch the world go by while enjoying some great local wine and dishes.

Seniors Enjoy Resort Town

Lake Wanaka itself is popular for waterskiing, wakeboarding and sailing. This along with the local rivers provide many opportunities for fishing and there is a dedicated mountain biking area made by volunteers located in a pine forest.

Lake Wanaka is a major drawing card providing lots for seniors to enjoy. The town is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park. Wanaka is primarily a resort town for both summer and winter seasons and its economy is based on the many outdoor opportunities the region offers.

It was originally settled during the gold rush of the 19th century. Today, along with the rest of the Queenstown-Lakes District, it is growing rapidly, with the population increasing by 50% between 2005 and 2015. Wanaka boasts a growing number of fine restaurants, cafes and a diverse nightlife. Check out these 18 events and see if any catch your eye.

 Fun Things For Seniors To Do In Wanaka

Puzzling World contains a maze, optical illusions and a leaning clock tower which for over forty years  has been messing with people’s heads no matter their age, nationality or experience. With a mix of bizarre buildings, rooms of illusion and the world-famous Great Maze this attraction is designed to baffle your brain and challenge your perceptions of reality.

The Paradiso is a classic old cinema, with seating consisting of old couches and an in-theatre Morris Minor (a British car). For senior oenophiles, there are a number of wineries for sampling in the area. Just out of town next to the Wanaka Airport is the National Transport and Toy Museum that folks of all ages enjoy.

Put Wanaka on your travel bucket list and enjoy all that the city has to offer. What a neat time you will have in New Zealand. -jeb