Mountain town in Otago, New Zealand
Wanaka for solo travelers
Is Wanaka good for solo travel?
Lake and mountain town with a slower pace than Queenstown, popular with remote workers, hikers and skiers. Great scenery and outdoor access; housing is scarce and pricey and nightlife is small.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women. Normal care on remote hikes: tell someone your plan. |
How to meet people in Wanaka
Social hostels, ski and snowboard share houses, hiking groups, swim spots at Roys Bay and local pub nights.
Good things to do alone
- Hike Roy's Peak at sunrise
- Photograph That Wanaka Tree at dawn
- Swim or paddle at Roys Bay
- Ride the Hawea River trail by bike
- Drive up to Cardrona ski area
Where to stay in Wanaka
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Wanaka Town Centre | Short stays: lakefront, cafés, hostels, Pembroke Park |
| Albert Town | Quieter riverside suburb for longer stays |
| Lake Hawea | Small lakeside village 15 minutes away |
Solo travel across New Zealand
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Queenstown | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Auckland | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Wellington | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Christchurch | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Rotorua | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Wanaka | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Taupo | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Bay of Islands | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Coromandel | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Tauranga | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Dunedin | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Nelson | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Kaikoura | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Milford Sound | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Lake Tekapo | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Waiheke Island | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Franz Josef | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Wanaka good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Lake and mountain town with a slower pace than Queenstown, popular with remote workers, hikers and skiers.
How do you meet people in Wanaka?
Social hostels, ski and snowboard share houses, hiking groups, swim spots at Roys Bay and local pub nights. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Wanaka?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Wanaka safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women. Normal care on remote hikes: tell someone your plan.
More about Wanaka
Going to Wanaka solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Wanaka meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.