We’d earmarked Friday for exploring Wanaka, which kicked off with a suitably hearty breakfast in town at Relishes Café. After fuelling up, we set out on a couple of short walks.
The first was up Mount Iron, an impressive glacier-carved rocky knoll on the outskirts of town. It’s not a long walk (about 1.5–2 hours), but it’s steep, with insanely beautiful views and sheer drops that make it unforgettable.
Next, we strolled along the lakefront, including the very picturesque Eely Point, before grabbing lunch at Boaboa. A bit of last-minute shopping followed, and we rounded off the day with a walk along the Clutha River.
The Clutha River is truly spectacular (I’m running out of superlatives here)—a wide, fast-flowing river with crystal-clear water. The track winds along the riverbank, rising and falling dramatically, offering wildly varied and stunning views of the valley.
By the time we stopped for the obligatory whiskey and coffee (thanks, Dad), we were deep into the golden hour. And it was so golden. The sunlight lit up the last of the autumn leaves and gleamed off the river’s surface. It was pure magic.
As we got back to the car, the last rays of sunlight were slipping behind the mountains. Perfect timing!
We’d done this walk on a previous trip to Wanaka, but at a different time of year and in different weather. This time, though, it was even lovelier. If you’re ever in the area, I can’t recommend it enough.
Dinner that night was a light supermarket meal – it felt like the sensible choice after such indulgent breakfast and lunch outings.
The Obligatory Blog 