Wanaka: Lake & mountain 4x4 tour with picnic

Summary

Boat across Lake Wanaka, climb Mt. Burke by 4x4, and share a picnic above it all

You’ll cross Lake Wanaka by boat with a small group, ride a 4x4 up Mt. Burke with your local guide sharing stories along the way, and pause for a gourmet picnic overlooking wild peaks and water below. It’s peaceful, personal, sometimes bumpy — and leaves you with an echo of New Zealand’s wild side you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

We stepped onto the jetty at Wanaka Marina, still shaking off the sleep from our eyes — I’d forgotten how crisp the air feels here, even in late morning. Our guide, Jamie, waved us over with that easy Kiwi grin and pointed out where to stash our jackets on the boat. The lake was glassy, just a few ducks gliding past, and as we pulled away from shore you could smell wet stone and something almost sweet in the breeze. There weren’t any crowds or noise — just the hum of the motor and Jamie’s stories about Stevenson’s Island slipping by on our left.

I didn’t expect the 4x4 part to be so bumpy (my coffee nearly went flying), but honestly that made it better somehow — like we were actually earning those views. We climbed up these winding tracks above Lake Wanaka, stopping now and then so Jamie could point out old sheep trails or explain how the glaciers carved up this whole valley ages ago. He handed around cheese and crackers once we reached this lookout spot — I think I ate more than my share — and poured us each a glass of local wine. The silence up there was different; not empty, just… big. You could hear distant sheep bells if you listened hard enough.

I tried to pronounce “Aspiring” in te reo Māori (Jamie encouraged me) but probably butchered it — he laughed anyway. The sun kept shifting behind clouds so sometimes everything looked silver-blue, then suddenly golden for a minute. There’s no toilet up there (just bushes), which felt awkward at first but also kind of funny when someone asked about it. We lingered longer than planned because nobody wanted to leave that view behind — honestly, I still think about that moment when I need some quiet in my head.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wanaka Lake and 4x4 Adventure

• Meet at Wanaka Marina jetty
• Boat ride on Lake Wanaka and 4x4 tour with gourmet picnic

Top questions

How long is the Wanaka 4x4 Explorer tour?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours from start to finish.

Where does the tour start?

The tour departs from Wanaka Marina on Lakeside Road.

Is food included during the tour?

Yes, you’ll have a gourmet picnic with cheese, crackers, treats, fruit, and local wine or non-alcoholic drinks.

Are toilets available during the tour?

No toilets are available on this tour; only bushes are accessible while on Mt. Burke.

What should I bring or wear?

Dress appropriately for colder mountain weather and bring a jacket.

Is pickup included?

The tour includes meeting at Wanaka Marina; public transport options are nearby but no hotel pickup is provided.

Is this suitable for all fitness levels?

The experience is suitable for all physical fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.

What’s included

Your day includes a return boat trip across Lake Wanaka from the marina to Mt. Burke Station, exclusive access to private land for your 4x4 climb with your local guide sharing stories along the way, plus either morning tea (coffee or tea with treats and fruit) or afternoon tea (cheese, crackers, local wine or soft drink). All in a small group of up to five per vehicle before returning back down to town together.