Explore Wanaka
Rob Roy Glacier Hike
One of Wanaka's best! Drive for 1 hour through the beautiful Matukituki Valley into Mt Aspiring National Park. Then hike for 3 1⁄2 hours return up the Rob Roy Stream through beech forest and past waterfalls to the tree line, reaching a mountain cirque with spectacular views of a semi-circle of hanging glaciers. There are some magnificent waterfalls and New Zealand'snative parrot, the Kea, will entertain you over lunch. Allowing for drive-time this is a full day excursion that can be guided or unguided, though most commonly it is freedom walked. Riverrun can provide lunches and track notes.
fitness advisable: moderate
duration: full day, 6 hours total
cost: $0 to guided from $195 pp
season: year round, best october-april
One of Wanaka's best! Drive for 1 hour through the beautiful Matukituki Valley into Mt Aspiring National Park. Then hike for 3 1⁄2 hours return up the Rob Roy Stream through beech forest and past waterfalls to the tree line, reaching a mountain cirque with spectacular views of a semi-circle of hanging glaciers. There are some magnificent waterfalls and New Zealand'snative parrot, the Kea, will entertain you over lunch. Allowing for drive-time this is a full day excursion that can be guided or unguided, though most commonly it is freedom walked. Riverrun can provide lunches and track notes.
fitness advisable: moderate
duration: full day, 6 hours total
cost: $0 to guided from $195 pp
season: year round, best october-april
The Siberia Experience
At the head of Lake Wanaka, 45 minutes drive from Riverrun, the landscape is dense with beech forest, high mountains and a series of beautiful and wild river systems. Most of this wilderness is only available to overnight hikers, but, with a very special day trip you can gain access to a spectacular part of this unspoilt wilderness. A 25 minute scenic flight takes you into the remote Siberia Valley. You wade the Siberia stream and commence a 2-3 hour hike. The route takes you along forested meadow flats before climbing through beech forest over a craggy saddle to descend into the Wilkin River Valley. A short distance along the Wilkin you are met by jet boat for an awesome ride out along this braided river.
fitness advisable: moderate - strong
duration: full day,
cost: $355 per person
season: year round
At the head of Lake Wanaka, 45 minutes drive from Riverrun, the landscape is dense with beech forest, high mountains and a series of beautiful and wild river systems. Most of this wilderness is only available to overnight hikers, but, with a very special day trip you can gain access to a spectacular part of this unspoilt wilderness. A 25 minute scenic flight takes you into the remote Siberia Valley. You wade the Siberia stream and commence a 2-3 hour hike. The route takes you along forested meadow flats before climbing through beech forest over a craggy saddle to descend into the Wilkin River Valley. A short distance along the Wilkin you are met by jet boat for an awesome ride out along this braided river.
fitness advisable: moderate - strong
duration: full day,
cost: $355 per person
season: year round
Biking
Wanaka has some of the best mountain biking in New Zealand, from lakeside and riverside trails to challenging single track forest rides to the enjoyment of exploring old miners tracks and big helicopter-accessed descents. Most of the local trails are unguided but where required guiding can be arranged. Riverrun can advise you on options for both keen bikers and lakeside amblers. We have two mountain bikes available to guests free of charge and bikes can also be hired in town.
fitness advisable: moderate
duration: half day or full day
cost: n/a
season: october - april
Wanaka has some of the best mountain biking in New Zealand, from lakeside and riverside trails to challenging single track forest rides to the enjoyment of exploring old miners tracks and big helicopter-accessed descents. Most of the local trails are unguided but where required guiding can be arranged. Riverrun can advise you on options for both keen bikers and lakeside amblers. We have two mountain bikes available to guests free of charge and bikes can also be hired in town.
fitness advisable: moderate
duration: half day or full day
cost: n/a
season: october - april
Fishing
The Wanaka area has a legion of rivers and backcountry streams, many of them not heavily fished at all and providing crystal clear conditions for stalking and spotting brown and rainbow trout. For fly fishers, Riverrun coordinates private guided trips by 4WD, boat or helicopter. On the Clutha river, which is a high volume river, a good option is fly fishing from a raft that will give you easy access to the most fishable sections. We use experienced and professional guides, who should be booked as far ahead as possible. Equipment provided.
fitness advisable: moderate
duration: full day
cost: $650-$750 for 1-2 people full day
season: october - april
The Wanaka area has a legion of rivers and backcountry streams, many of them not heavily fished at all and providing crystal clear conditions for stalking and spotting brown and rainbow trout. For fly fishers, Riverrun coordinates private guided trips by 4WD, boat or helicopter. On the Clutha river, which is a high volume river, a good option is fly fishing from a raft that will give you easy access to the most fishable sections. We use experienced and professional guides, who should be booked as far ahead as possible. Equipment provided.
fitness advisable: moderate
duration: full day
cost: $650-$750 for 1-2 people full day
season: october - april
Canyoning
Canyoning will leave you with a real sense of achievement. Explore the secrets of Wanaka's hidden river canyons. You abseil, slide, dive and ride down a series of waterfalls, into deep pools and shutes. Wetsuits, equipment and lunch are provided. Professionally operated and you will receive excellent instruction. A strong sense of advenure helps.
fitness advisable: moderate
duration: full day
cost: $240
season: november - april
Canyoning will leave you with a real sense of achievement. Explore the secrets of Wanaka's hidden river canyons. You abseil, slide, dive and ride down a series of waterfalls, into deep pools and shutes. Wetsuits, equipment and lunch are provided. Professionally operated and you will receive excellent instruction. A strong sense of advenure helps.
fitness advisable: moderate
duration: full day
cost: $240
season: november - april
Sky Dive Wanaka
Tandem Skydive has its base at Wanaka airport. Their plane gets you up to jump level in minutes and they offer jumps at 12,000 feet (45 seconds of freefall) and 15,000 feet (60 seconds freefall). You can arrange to have yourself filmed during freefall. Morning jumps, allow 40 mins, available year round.
fitness advisable: n/a
duration: half day or full day
cost: 12,000 ft NZ$299 15,000 ft NZ$399
season: year round
Tandem Skydive has its base at Wanaka airport. Their plane gets you up to jump level in minutes and they offer jumps at 12,000 feet (45 seconds of freefall) and 15,000 feet (60 seconds freefall). You can arrange to have yourself filmed during freefall. Morning jumps, allow 40 mins, available year round.
fitness advisable: n/a
duration: half day or full day
cost: 12,000 ft NZ$299 15,000 ft NZ$399
season: year round