Things to do in Wānaka
Family
Things to do in Wānaka with kids come down to three reliable places. Puzzling World has the Great Maze and six illusion rooms, and opens daily from 9am. The National Transport and Toy Museum holds 600 vehicles, 23 aircraft and 100,000 toys, open 8.30am to 5pm. Wānaka Lavender Farm has alpacas, lawn games and ice cream.
None of them need a booking, which is what makes them the wet weather plan. Puzzling World's combo suits about 90 minutes. The museum has indoor and outdoor play areas, dollar rides and arcade games. The Lavender Farm opens seven days, 9am to 5pm September to May and 10am to 5pm June to August.
Back at the park there is a children's playground, a seasonal swimming pool, a communal kitchen and a guest laundry, which covers the rest of the day and whatever the day did to their clothes. Motels and cabins suit families; check-in is from 3pm for accommodation and 2pm for camp sites.
National Transport and Toy Museum
One of the largest private collections in the world, with hundreds of vehicles, aircraft and over 100,000 toys.
Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World
A maze and illusion attraction on the edge of Wānaka that has been entertaining families since 1973.
About 90 minutes for the combo; visits from 30 minutes to all day
Wānaka Lavender Farm
Twenty acres of lavender gardens with alpacas, farm animals, giant lawn games and a tearoom.
Questions
Before you head out.
What is there to do in Wānaka with kids when it rains?
The National Transport and Toy Museum is indoors across four buildings, open 8.30am to 5pm. Puzzling World's six illusion rooms are indoors too, and Cinema Paradiso runs from midday.
Do any of them need booking?
No. Puzzling World needs no booking and the museum does not require one either, though online booking carries a fee. The Lavender Farm is open seven days.
How long do they take?
Puzzling World's maze and illusion rooms combo suits about 90 minutes, with visits from 30 minutes to a full day. The Lavender Farm works as a relaxed couple of hours.
Stay at Sundale
A base five minutes from the water.
Your Wānaka basecamp
Make Sundale your base.
Cabins, studios, motels and soft-grass camping, five minutes from the water and close to everything above.