Summer Activities

The area surrounding Cardrona Villas is filled with a huge range of activities which will suit those who enjoy outdoor pursuits. Below is a list of activities that our visitors can participate in.

For those of you who enjoy fine wine and dining, there are excellent wineries in all directions and some great restaurants.

The Cardrona valley is steeped in history dating back to the gold rush days. There are many local heritage sites to be visited including the old Cardrona Pub next door.

Wining and Dining – Our Favourite places:

Rippon Vineyard

Taste a glass of their fine wine sitting in the vineyard overlooking Lake Wanaka with the Mount Aspiring National Park in the distance.

Winehouse and Kitchen

This is our all time favourite restaurant in the area! Go here for a special treat, and have a full wine tasting before your meal. The wine tasting room is a restored 100-year-old homestead showcasing van Asch, rockferry and Freefall wines (van Asch with his partner AJ Hackett started the bungy revolution worldwide!)

The restaurant is a farmhouse concept with an emphasis on warm welcomes and hearty wholesome food in keeping with the homestead’s pastoral heritage.

Amisfield

Experience the ‘Trust the Chef’ menu at Amisfield Bistro where you will be served a selection of dishes designed to be shared at the table; all dishes are chosen by the chef based on the freshest ingredients available.

Gibbston Valley

Take a wine tour and visit the wine cave cellars for a tasting. Don't forget the Cheesery!

Chard Farm

The views are spectacular, and the access road is breathtaking!!!

Activities

Mountain Biking

Freeride NZ offers a variety of multi-day adventures around stunning Central Otago. Whatever your riding level they offer a tour to suit you.

Check out their special 3 Day Winery Tour of Central Otago - A winery tour like no other. Experience it all, cycling through some of the most historic places of Central Otago and sampling local vine yard production . Riding locations include Central Otago's famous 'Rail Trail', the once gold mining mecca of the Cardrona village and an exclusive ride in the foot hills of the Mt Aspiring National park. Enjoy the moment and relax in the picturesque mountain settings. Fine dine with superb dinner venues and daily wine tasting.

Horse Riding

Backcountry Saddle Expeditions are conveniently located next door to Cardrona Villas. Pop over and book yourself a memorable day in the saddle!

Cardrona Adventure Park

Cardrona Adventure Park has several activities available for the whole family. Offers a wide variety of Monster Truck rides to suit all, from beginners to intermediate to the outright adrenalin junkie.
ATV quad bike rides, off road go-carts and 50 cc quad bikes. Something for everyone.

The Big Bounce

Wanaka's indoor and outdoor inflatable fun centre has everything from human bowling to triple lane bungee basketball to the extreme double lane super-slide, obstacle courses and an inflatable climbing wall. Bounce your way through our rides or entertain yourself in the extensive games arcade. The Big Bounce is fun, affordable entertainment for the whole family.

Wanaka U-Fly Adventure Rides

Imagine the exhilaration of flying a plane with U-Fly Adventure Rides — no previous experience required! Relax with your Instructor while exploring the mountains and beauty of Lake Wanaka region from above, in the latest Light Sport Aircraft. The best way to view ski fields up close and in comfort. CAA approved.

Paintball Wanaka

People of all ages enjoy the adrenalin rush that paintball brings. Games start from $38.50 per person including Tippmann Paintball guns, overalls, masks, 100 paintballs and 45 minutes of fun. New flood lit park now offers exhilarating night games!

White Water Sledging

Frogz White Water Sledging

An ultimate white water experience on a river purposed board and the water at eye level. Challenge the power of the mighty Kawarau River and the infamous Man-eater and Roller Coaster rapids that they run twice. The attraction of white water sledging is that you are in control. It’s fun, it’s unique and it’s exciting.

Jet Boating

Clutha River Jets

Clutha River Jet "Jet boating at its Best". A 1 hour adrenalin filled jet boat experience on Lake Wanaka & the mighty Clutha River (NZ''s largest river].

Siberia Experience

A unique New Zealand wilderness experience including a scenic flight, bush/valley walk and jetboat safari in Mt Aspiring National Park. Suitable for all ages with average fitness. Enjoy glaciers, mountain lakes, alpine valleys and vast rain forests. Window seats for all. Walk amongst immense mountains, waterfalls, ancient forests… Finish with a thrilling jetboat ride.

Wanaka Helicopters

Specialists in high quality, personal & informative flights around Lake Wanaka, into Mt Aspiring & Fiordland National Parks & Milford Sound. Award winning safety. No minimum passenger numbers (except Milford Trips.) Learn to fly Helicopters. Also do heli biking, heli hiking, heli jetboating and heli fishing trips.

Wanaka River Journeys

Wanaka River Journeys Jet Boat the powerful & braided Matukituki River. Travel past Lord of the Rings locations watched over by Glaciers & Mount Aspiring on this 3.5 hour wilderness adventure. Hear stories from the past and learn about the forces that created this amazing landscape. Also enjoy a 50 min walk into native beech forest to a hidden waterfall and an optional helicopter flight from the jet boat into the dramatic Avalanche and Rob Roy Glaciers. Departures daily from outside Racers Edge at 99 Ardmore Street.

Wilkin River Jets

Amongst the snow capped peaks and lush rainforest of the World Heritage listed Mt Aspiring National Park there is a wilderness experience like no other. Explore these ancient river valleys with a river jet safari,scenic helicopter flight or one of our heli flight-walk-jetboat combos- the Siberia or Jumboland Wilderness Adventure.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing routes around Wanaka are outstanding. Climbers from around the globe flock to the crags each summer to enjoy the sun-baked rock in the stunning Matukituki Valley on the edge of Mt Aspiring National Park. For those eager to join the vertical world of rock climbing, there is no better place to learn. Climbing with a local company means you will achieve the best climbs for your ability.
All the gear is provided and qualified guides ensure only expert tuition is given.

There are several companies which offer rock climbing options:

Aspiring Guides

BaseCamp Wanaka

Wanaka Rock

Four wheel Bikes (ATV’s)

Criffel Peaks Safaris

Criffel Peak Safaris Ltd give you the choice of three distinctive guided fun rides, challenging or easy on ATVs ( four wheel bikes ) experience and adventure , great views and photo opportunities, something different where most people never go. Visit our web site for further information, prices and trips.

Walks & Trekking

Adventure Consultants

We are a world renowned expedition organising company. In the Southern Alps of the South Island we run popular mountaineering courses in both summer and winter, as well as guided ascents of Mt Cook, Mt Aspiring, Mt Tasman, Mt Tutoko and many other peaks. We organise treks in our beautiful National Parks and expedition training.

All Walks around Wanaka

Whether you"ve got 15mins or 5 hours, theres a walk for everyone to enjoy during a visit to Wanaka. All walks start from the township. Click on the website link to view the options.

Alpinism & Ski Ltd

Explore Mount Aspiring, Mount Cook/Westland National Parks during a week long alpine climbing instruction course, enjoy an ascents trip to Mt Aspiring, Mt Cook, Mt Tasman etc. Join a course to improve your skills and knowledge, or our late winter/spring backcountry ski touring and snowboard trips led by UIAGM/NZMGA qualified guides.

Arriving into Wanaka from the West Coast

You'll be passing by some superb walks, so take a few minutes to stretch your legs and enjoy the beauty of this region. Most of the walks are signposted although some signs can be difficult to see, so keep an eye out for them. Walks range from 10mins to 30 mins

Aspiring Guides

Intermediate to advanced treks 1-7 days: Five Passes Wilderness treks, Black Peak alpine trek, guided mountaineering ascents and instruction, winter ice climbing, backcountry ski touring, helicopter skiing, private hut at Black Peak.

Awesome walks and tramps

Throughout the Mt Aspiring National Park you"ll find some of the world"s finest alpine excursions. Either one day or week long adventures, click on the website link below for a brief overview - or for more info, view the websites of our local mountain guiding experts listed below.

Eco Wanaka Adventures

Our company supplies guided trekking, lake cruise to Mou Waho Island Nature Walk and boat fishing. For more information visit our homepage.

Ridgeline Adventures

We operate personalised Wanaka discovery tours including our unique Twilight adventures, sub-alpine 4WD tours, spectacular heli-hiking options and Central Otago Wine Tours. After an adventure with Ridgeline you’ll know so much about the Wanaka area you’ll feel like a local! We are specialists in executive small group/family transport to/from Queenstown and Wanaka airports and all ski areas. Please visit our website for more information.

Siberia Experience

Wild Walks

Rabbit Pass, Upper Wilkin, Cascade Saddle, Aspiring Overnight, Glacier Trekking. Hiking and trekking from one night to four nights. Expert to beginner. Custom trips designed for you.

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