Cardrona Beginners Package

Waterfall Creek Track A must when you visit Wanaka, the track starts from the west end of Roys Bay and soon reaches Wānaka Station Park, a beautiful picnic area, on the left. The track then winds along the lake’s western shores for superb views and a great photo opportunity at the famous “Wānaka Tree”. The trail then passes Edgewater and Rippon Vineyard, where a cellar door and wine tastings are available, and on to Waterfall Creek with views of Ruby Island. Distance: 2.5km Completion Time: 1 hour Outlet Track This is a local favourite as it is an easy walk suitable for all ages and abilities. It begins from Wanaka town centre and takes you around picturesque Lake Wanaka to the outlet to the Clutha River and on to Albert Town. This track can also be explored by bike. Distance: 3 km one way. Completion Time: 1 hour one way. Mount Iron Track This very popular, close-to-Wanaka-town loop walk suits all ages and abilities and offers great views of Lake Hawea from the summit. Distance: 4.5 km. Completion Time: 1.5 hours. Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain Tracks These two excellent walks in the Diamond Lake Conservation Area give wonderful views of the surrounding alps and Lake Wanaka. Distance: 2km - 7 km depending on the trail. Completion Time: 45 minutes - 3 hours depending on the trail.

Cardrona is perfect for first timers with easy learner lifts and wide open beginner trails with beautiful views. This package includes rental equipment, a learner’s area ski lift pass, and two group lessons with a professional instructor. Your 2-hour morning lesson teaches the basics, including how to master sliding, stopping, and turning safely and effectively on gentle slopes. The 2-hour afternoon lesson is to further develop your skills and to support you as you explore more terrain.

Make your way to the Cardrona Ski Field, passing through the beautiful Cardrona Valley. The 14km Cardrona mountain road is unsealed and offers three parking areas near the base building. For those looking for a slightly shorter drive, the Valley View car park is available before the summit, though access is only recommended for intermediate skiers. For your safety, it’s essential to carry tire chains at all times when driving on mountain roads, as weather and road conditions can change rapidly. You may like to consider riding the free mountain shuttles. Ideal for those unfamiliar with mountain roads, looking to save on fuel, or simply wanting a relaxing ride, the shuttles require no bookings. Park at the designated lot located approx. 1km from the base of the mountain road and hop on the next available shuttle.

If you feel like spoiling yourself and learning about the area’s history we recommend taking yourself out for lunch or dinner at The Cardrona Hotel, one of New Zealand’s oldest and most iconic hotels which sits between Queenstown and Wānaka on the stunning Crown Range Road. Set in a beautiful mountain valley, the town of Cardrona boasts a rich and vibrant history: settled in the 1860s as hundreds of hopeful prospectors flooded into the valley chasing gold, the Cardrona Hotel was one of four hotels quickly established to offer accommodation, food, livery services and a coaching-stop for miners and travellers. With the short-lived gold mining boom beginning to wind down in the late 1800s, the area quietened down, with the Cardrona Hotel eventually becoming the sole remaining hotel in the valley. In more recent times the township of Cardrona has seen a resurgence in visitors, people clamouring to get a taste of old the old town feel, stopping in for a pint or delicious meal and a few fantastic photo opportunities in the quaint village that harkens back to a time of hope, gold and good fortune.

If you have skied or snowboarded for more than one day, can’stop and change direction' and enjoy the support of lessons or want to improve as quickly as possible then this is the package is for you. You’ll have 2 days' access to the entire mountain with an all mountain lift pass, rental equipment included and the benefit of 2 x two hour group lessons each day. This package is coordinated to build a solid foundation so that you can make progress quickly. And rest assured you’ll soon remember the movements even if you only ever skied once, many years ago.

Explore what else Wanaka has to offer, including a range of cafes, bars, and restaurants to enjoy, miles of scenic walking and biking tracks, vineyards and distilleries to visit, and if you are looking for something indoors experience Puzzling World, Transport and Toy Museum or the Base Indoor Climbing Wall. If you still want to be skiing and your legs can handle it then book heli-skiing as it’s one of the most breathtaking places to do it in the world.

Enjoy a boat cruise on the crystal clear waters of Lake Wanaka to the remote Mou Waho Island nature reserve, home of the lake, on an island, in a lake (on an island in an ocean). Mou Waho Island is a predator-free Department of Conservation reserve and home to many native birds rarely seen on mainland NZ. Here you can see first-hand results of conservation efforts including the rare flightless Buff Weka (extinct on the mainland since 1920), the wood pigeon and the native falcon. A one hour guided bush walk will take guests up to a natural glacial formed lake right on top of the island and magnificent mountain and lake scenery in every direction.

Feel like a relaxing night, take yourself to the movies, Cinema Paradiso is not your average cinema. A classic movie theatre with comfy old sofas, an old Morris Minor car, and a cafe & bar serving delicious meals before, during, or after the movie. A great option for days when the weather is not so great up the ski field, especially for families! Paradiso provides a novel experience - they even have a half-time intermission where you can get homemade ice cream, a hot chocolate, or a freshly baked cookie! Tickets can be purchased at your own expense at the cinema prior to the session or up to a few days before the movie you wish to see. The seating is unallocated, so if you arrive early you get the pick of the couches, chairs, and cinema seating.

Embrace another day of winter magic in Wanaka! With a full day at your leisure, you can choose your own adventure. Perhaps you’ll wander through the charming town centre, browsing unique shops and galleries that you haven’t had the opportunity to see, or watch a movie in Paradiso Cinema. Treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of Wanaka’s renowned cafes or restaurants, savoring local flavors beside a cozy fireplace. If you’re seeking adventure, venture out on a scenic winter hike, marveling at snow-dusted landscapes and crisp mountain air. Or, opt for a relaxing cruise across the lake, taking in the breathtaking scenery from a different perspective. For a truly unique experience, consider a visit to Mou Waho Island, a pristine natural sanctuary set in the heart of the lake. Don’t forget to snap a photo with the iconic Wanaka Tree, a must-do for any visitor!

Journey through West Wanaka High Country Station on this spectacular 4WD adventure with Ridgeline Adventures. With jaw-dropping mountain top scenery for days, gain an in-depth insight into the fascinating local history, farming life and predator control conservation projects. Go behind the scenes of a genuine New Zealand High Country Farm, West Wanaka Station and get up close to farm animals including Red Deer, Cattle and Sheep. On this tour, you’ll have the opportunity to give back by helping the Ridgeline Adventure’s Predator control conservation project and take an optional easy alpine meadow and lakeside forest walks (20 minutes each). Enjoy some freshly brewed coffee and famous fruit cake at their Alpine cafe, before the chance to take a dip in the crystal clear lake and river. This is a great adventure the whole family will enjoy.

Leaving Wanaka you head over New Zealand’s highest sealed road, Crown Range Road before dropping into Queenstown. During winter months the Crown Range Road experiences alpine conditions, so you need to be prepared before driving this road. As it is New Zealand’s highest sealed road it can be prone to ice and snow. There are many signs advising the road conditions so take notice of these or ask locally if the road is fine to be driven that day. The alternative route via the Kawarau Gorge (State Highway 6) is just 20 minutes longer. The golden rule is check and drive to the conditions. If you have snow chains with your rental vehicle please make sure you know how to fit them.