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About Wanaka
HistoryIn pre-European times Wanaka was on a well used trail to the West Coast and all it's Greenstone. There were several small settlements around the lake but these were abandoned before the first European Nathanial Chalmers, reached Wanaka in 1853. He was soon followed by sheep farmers attracted by the vast expanses of native tussock grassland. In the eighteen sixties Gold miners poured into the Cardrona valley, Albert Town was acting as the districts main centre at this time. Tourism, the main stay of the local economy today existed even then but became increasingly important with the opening of the road to the Haast and the more recent development of local ski fields.
About The Lake
Glacial action has created, over a period of time the dramatic land forms of Wanaka and the Upper Clutha Valley. With glacial ice carving out the lake bed, blocking it's southern end with fine moraine, broadening the valleys and creating the Makarora and Matukituki rivers. Lake Wanaka is New Zealand's fourth largest lake at 45.5 km long with a maximum width of 11.6 km. It's altitude is 277m and maximum depths is 311m. The water temperature ranges between 9-10 degrees Celsius. It is drained by New Zealand's largest river the Clutha.
Weather and Climate
The western mountains which form part of Wanaka's magnificent landscape also forms a barrier to weather systems crossing the Tasman sea. They are responsible for the areas warm, dry summers and crisp cold winters. Temperatures range from an average of 6 degrees Celsius in winter to 26 degrees Celsius in summer.
Walks and Tramping opportunities are plentiful in and around the District.
Travelling Time and Distances
The times allow for rest stops, road conditions etc.
Alexandra |
86 km | 1hr15min |
| Cardrona | 25 km | 25min |
| Cromwell | 55 km | 45min |
| Christchurch | 424 km | 6hr5min |
| Dunedin | 276 km | 3hr55min |
| Fox Glacier | 264 km | 3hr45min |
| Haast | 145 km | 2hr5min |
| Invercargill | 285 km | 4hr5min |
| Makarora | 64 km | 50min |
| Omarama | 113 km | 1hr35min |
| Queenstown (via Crown Range) | 79 km | 1hr15min |
| Queenstown (via Cromwell) | 117 km | 1hr40min |
| Mount Cook (via Lindis Pass) | 203 km | 2hr55min |
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