Wanaka

Wanaka is a pretty alpine resort town on the banks of Lake Wanaka, New Zealand’s fourth largest lake and one of its most scenic. Surrounded by high peaks of the Southern Alps, it is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders, and it offers some great walking and hiking trails for summer months. The town is much quieter than its big sister Queenstown, but offers almost as many adventure activities, the most popular being rafting, skydiving, and canyoning. There are also cruises on the lake and some good museums and the bi-annual air show, Warbirds Over Wanaka.

Wanaka is a great alternative to Queenstown if you are looking for a less crowded, more nature-oriented destination.