Why Choose Wanaka
Wanaka is a place of great natural beauty and attracts thousands of visitors through both the summer and winter months. Wanaka is receiving increasing exposure, not only because of the accessibility of the ski fields - Treble Cone, Cardrona and Waiorau Snow Farm but high profile events such as the Festival of Colour and Warbirds. The sealing of the Crown Range has helped accessibility from the Queenstown international airport. Coupled with this, the daily Air New Zealand air service connecting Christchurch with the Wanaka airport has contributed to the development of the tourism market.
If you are considering purchasing real estate in the Wanaka region for investment, if you are an overseas purchaser, or if you want to know where Wanaka is, about the population, climate and lifestyle opportunities then this page is for you.
Investment
Overseas Investors
New Zealand is an investment friendly country with no stamp duty, mortgage stamp duty, land tax, property purchase tax, nor capital gains tax. Some countries (eg. Australia), require property buyers to pay stamp duty tax, up to 3-4% of the purchase price! Buying from overseas is simpler than it sounds. The New Zealand Government has no major barriers for overseas property investors. The Government encourages foreign investment.
What type of land acquisition may require Overseas Investment Consent?
Area: Where the land area exceeds 5 ha in area.
Foreshore: Where the land includes foreshore/seabed or adjoins foreshore/seabed.
Lakes: Where the land exceeds 0.4 ha in area and adjoins or includes the bed of a lake.
Reserves: Where the land exceeds 0.4 ha and includes or adjoins a reserve, park or conservation land.
Islands: Any land on most off-shore island.
Historic Places: Where the land exceeds 0.4 ha and includes or adjoins most historic or heritage areas.
Please contact me if you require professional advice on current regulations and taxation law.
Lifestyle
The area's weather and terrain offers a variety of opportunities as an adventure paradise, a family recreation area and a tranquil retreat. Work and leisure opportunities abound in the various arts and the supportive Wanaka community run an abundance of festivals and events.
Where is Lake Wanaka?
Lake Wanaka lies at the heart of the Southern Lakes, New Zealand's wonderland, and southern most wine region, in the lower South Island.
Wanaka township is situated in a dramatic glacier-carved basin on the shores of the lake and is the gateway to the Mt Aspiring National Park World Heritage area.
It is a short 55 minute drive over a scenic highway from the closest international airport at Queenstown. Wanaka has its own airport connecting to Christchurch. Wild and beautiful Lake Hawea is a short 15 minute drive from Wanaka.
Climate data
Average rainfall 682mm/year
Average daily temperature 16.6 (celsius). There are four distinct seasons. The weather is fairly dry with spring (September - December)the wettest months.In summer the weather can reach 34 centigrade but averages 23 centigrade. Winter tends to have clear calm days with highs around 10 centigrade and often falling to negative figures at night.
Population
6,900 which is boosted by thousands of visitors and holiday makers throughout the year.
Things to do
Some of the specialised recreation opportunities include:
- Trout & fly fishing
- Wilderness hikes
- Skiing & snowboarding
- Photo safaris
- Yachting, windsurfing & Water skiing
- Cruises
- Golf & golf driving range
- Claybird & 22 calibre smallbore shooting
- Archery range
- Rock climbing & abseiling
- Horse trekking
- Guided canyon adventures
- White water sledging
- Ski dive & Tandem Paragliding
- Mountain Car Rally
- Wanaka Maze & Puzzling World
- Warbirds Museum
- Wanaka Transport & Toy Museum
- Wine tasting & Wanaka Beerworks
Walking Tracks
Aspiring National Park has some of New Zealands most spectacular and accessible day walks.
Local walking tracks include:
- Mt Roy Track(6-7 hours)
- Waterfall Creek (1 Hour)
- Millennium Track (3 hours)
- Eely Point (1.5 hours)
- Beacon Point (2 Hours)
- Lake Outlet (2-3 hours)
- Mt Iron (2-3 hours)
