Three weeks in New Zealand - 4/12 - 5/4/2024

Day 19-Wanaka Lake-4/29/2024

 Lake Wānaka is one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking alpine lakes, stretching like a sheet of blue glass beneath a ring of rugged, snow-dusted mountains. Fed by glacial melt, its waters are astonishingly clear on calm days, it mirrors the peaks and sky so perfectly that it’s hard to tell where the lake ends and the horizon begins.

Crossing the street, the view opens up, and right in front of you is the lake, its surface shimmering in the bright fall sunlight. Cars are parked along the shore, adding a touch of everyday life to the scene, but they don’t distract from the natural beauty surrounding them.

The shoreline is a mix of pebbly beaches, grassy parks, and shady groves of willow and poplar trees, which turn brilliant gold in the fall.

Lake Wanaka in front of us.

Walking along the lakeside walkway, you’re surrounded by the graceful willow trees, their golden leaves fluttering in the gentle breeze.

To the right, the lake stretches out, its surface sparkling under the warm sun. A few people sit along the edge, quietly soaking in the day, some chatting softly, others simply gazing at the water.

A lady sitting on the shore and enjoying the stillness of the water.

On the shore, the yellow and blue kayaks rest side by side like splashes of bright paint against the muted pebbles and deep blue water.

They’re lined up and ready for a leisurely adventure and to paddle along the calm shoreline,

The sun hangs bright above, scattering shimmering reflections across the surface of Lake Wānaka.

Beyond the lake, the mountains rise majestically, their slopes etched with forests and capped with the last hints of snow.

Sunlight filters through this gigantic willow.

It is so pretty!

 Out on the lake, a few people paddle their canoes gracefully across the shimmering water.

The canoers move slowly, taking in the breathtaking surroundings with the golden willows along the shore, the distant mountains rising against the sky, and the sunlight glinting off the water. It’s a peaceful, almost meditative scene, where the rhythm of paddles dipping in and out of the water matches the calm pulse of Lake Wānaka itself.

Hoa standing next to this beautiful willow tree and you can definitely see how huge this tree is.

Along the shore, the willow branches dip low, their slender tips almost grazing the water’s surface. They sway gently in the breeze, creating soft, rippling shadows on the pebbles and reflecting in the lake like delicate brushstrokes.

Panoramic view of the lake.

As we continued along the path, we came across a small stream winding quietly beneath the sweeping branches of a willow tree. The water gurgles softly over smooth stones, reflecting the golden leaves above and catching tiny glints of sunlight.

The willow’s branches dip toward the stream, almost as if reaching to touch it, creating a gentle, sheltered nook. The sound of the flowing water blends with the rustle of leaves in the breeze, giving the spot a peaceful, almost secret-garden feel.

What a beautiful scene with the tall trees, and the lake surrounded by mountains.

We continued our walk further down, following the gravel path lining the shore.

We followed the curve of the lake to get to the famous Wanaka Tree.

This area is so quiet and so beautiful.

A weathered tree trunk and branches washed ashore.

Gorgeous poplar tree that are turning golden in the fall

Sign warning tourists not to climb on the tree as it is protected.  It took 70 years for the tree to get to this size and the branches are fragile and starting to be damaged by people climbing on the tree.

The sign ask people to help protect it and leave it for others to enjoy.

 The Wānaka Tree, often called That Wānaka Tree, is one of New Zealand’s most photographed landmarks. It is a lone willow growing directly out of the shallow waters of Lake Wānaka. Its twisted trunk and delicate branches frame the Southern Alps in the background, creating a scene that changes dramatically with the seasons: green and full in summer, golden in the fall, bare and sculptural in winter, and soft with new leaves in spring. What makes it so captivating is its resilience , it began as a fence post decades ago, yet took root and grew against all odds, becoming an icon for travelers and photographers from around the world.

In late 2017, one of the lower branches of the Wānaka Tree snapped off due to tourists climbing on it. The tree’s bark is particularly delicate, and its branches are fragile. As a result, the Queenstown Lakes District Council installed signage in English and Mandarin urging visitors not to climb the tree to prevent further harm.

Also, on the night of March 17, 2020, someone climbed on the tree and sawed off multiple large branches, including the iconic one that extended horizontally over the water. The damage wasn’t accidental; it was an act of vandalism. Local police investigated, and though the tree did suffer permanent changes to its shape, arborists hoped it would survive. Recovery of those lost branches could take 10 to 15 years, given the challenging growing conditions.

We are no exception, we are taking a picture with the tree behind us.

 We stayed on the shore, watching the lone Wānaka Tree, its roots submerged in the clear lake water, as gentle ripples shimmered in the afternoon light. The scene was breathtaking, with the shimmering lake stretching toward the snow-tipped mountains that rose gracefully in the background.

We are now going back to our hotel.

I love these poplar trees, they are so beautiful in the fall with all the golden leaves.

We are retracing our steps back to where we arrived.

What a view from here.

We are now really close to downtown.

To get to our hotel, we had to go through the streets of downtown.

We are now heading back to our hotel.  The scenery is so beautiful in the fall with the colorful foliage.

NEXT... Dinner at Francesca's Italian Kitchen