Getting from Queenstown to Wanaka (and return)
Wanaka is located on the shores of Lake Wanaka on the South Island , New Zealand. It is the gateway into the Mount Aspiring National Park. In the city, you can visit the Wanaka Beer Works, where you can learn about the brewing process and Warbirds Museum, which showcases fighter aircrafts. The closest airport to Wanna is Queenstown Airport (ZQN) , which receives both domestic and international flights.
Wanaka can be a lovely day-trip choice if you spend your vacation in Queenstown. You can only travel from Queenstown to Wanaka by road; there are bus companies which operate on this route and you can also rent a car and drive the distance between the two places.
Buses from Queenstown to Wanaka
The following bus companies operate on this route:
- InterCity Coachlines : runs a single departure per day, at 8:10 a.m. and the travel time is 1h 30 min. Single fares start at NZ$17. The return bus leaves Wanaka daily at 2:35 p.m.
- NakedBus : runs two departures per day, at 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. The travel time is 1h 25 min. Single fares start at NZ$18.99. Return buses leave Wanaka daily at 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
>>read more about Bus Travel in New Zealand
Driving from Queenstown to Wanaka
You can rent a car and drive the 68 km between Queenstown and Wanaka in about an hour. You don’t have to relay on buses for your trip and you have the freedom to explore the surrounding areas, as well.