Geography of Wanaka
Geography of Wanaka: location, coordinates, elevation, terrain and the places around it.
Geography of Wanaka
Queenstown Airport is 29 mi to the south-west, Queenstown is 32 mi to the south-west, Lake Wakatipu is 33 mi to the south-west and Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand is 61 mi to the west.
Map of Wanaka
Interactive map with nearby places. Switch between street, terrain and satellite views.
Coordinates: 44°42′11.5″S 169°7′55.6″E (-44.7032, 169.1321)
Quick facts about Wanaka
| Type | City |
|---|---|
| Region | Otago |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 44°42′11.5″S 169°7′55.6″E (-44.7032, 169.1321) |
| Population | 9.500 |
| Known for | lakeside base for Mount Aspiring |
| Local time | 7:39 AM (UTC+12:00) |
| Best months | February and March |
| Climate | Temperate |
Summary
Wanaka is a city in Otago. Wanaka is known for lakeside base for Mount Aspiring. It has a population of about 9.500.
Right now it is 47°F (8°C) in Wanaka with overcast. It feels like 44°F. Today runs from 43°F to 48°F. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sightseeing conditions score 6.2/10 - fair - plan around the weather.
The best time to visit Wanaka is February and March. The climate is temperate. July, September and October tend to be the least comfortable months. February is the warmest month with average highs near 71°F, while August is the coldest with lows near 37°F.
The closest major airport is Queenstown Airport (ZQN), about 29 mi away. Nearby highlights include Lake Wakatipu, Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand, Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park.
In plain terms. Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 48°F is in line with the 49°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 7 AM to 10 AM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. fishing is the strongest bet in Wanaka today at 9.7/10. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Climate in Wanaka month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 71° | 54° | 5,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| February | 71° | 54° | 2,3 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 67° | 51° | 3,5 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 61° | 47° | 4,6 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| May | 54° | 42° | 4,3 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| June | 48° | 39° | 4,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| July | 46° | 37° | 4,0 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| August | 49° | 37° | 2,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| September | 54° | 38° | 11,3 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| October | 57° | 42° | 9,4 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| November | 64° | 48° | 4,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 69° | 52° | 5,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Explore Wanaka
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Geography for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is Wanaka?
Wanaka is a city in Otago. Its coordinates are -44.7032, 169.1321. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in Wanaka right now?
It is currently 47°F (8°C) with overcast. Humidity is 80% and wind is 3 mph.
When is the best time to visit Wanaka?
February and March offer the most comfortable conditions in Wanaka, which has a temperate climate. July, September and October are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Wanaka in?
Wanaka observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+12:00). The local time is 7:39 AM.
How many people live in Wanaka?
Wanaka has a population of approximately 9.500.
What is the nearest airport to Wanaka?
The closest airports are Queenstown Airport (ZQN), 29 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Wanaka?
Popular options include Lake Wakatipu, Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand, Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, South Island and Aoraki / Mount Cook.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (cities-supported) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Map tiles | OpenStreetMap contributors, CARTO and Esri. |
| Elevation | Open-Meteo digital elevation model where the dataset has no value. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 26, 2026 at 7:39 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
