A 80 km zig-zag glacial lake framed by the Remarkables, crossed by the coal-fired steamship TSS Earnslaw.
Related activities
Milford Sound cruise day trip
Coach and boat through Fiordland to the fiord and back.
Bungy jump at Kawarau Bridge
The original commercial bungy site, 43 m over the river.
Gibbston wine cycle trail
Ride between cellar doors on the river trail.
How to get to Lake Wakatipu
Lake Wakatipu sits in Queenstown, New Zealand. Most visitors base themselves in Queenstown and plan the visit as part of a day there. It pairs well with Milford Sound, Gibbston Valley, so you can group them on the same day.
Tickets and time needed
The source we checked states that entry to Lake Wakatipu is free. Plan about 3h for a typical visit.
Best time to visit Lake Wakatipu
For Queenstown in general: December to March for hiking; June to September for skiing.
Tips for your visit
Related things to do here include Milford Sound cruise day trip, Bungy jump at Kawarau Bridge, Gibbston wine cycle trail.
Lake Wakatipu FAQ
How much does it cost to visit Lake Wakatipu?
The source we checked states that entry to Lake Wakatipu is free.
How long should I spend at Lake Wakatipu?
A typical visit takes about 3h.
Where is Lake Wakatipu?
Lake Wakatipu is in Queenstown, New Zealand.
When is the best time to visit Lake Wakatipu?
December to March for hiking; June to September for skiing.
What is near Lake Wakatipu?
Nearby places include Milford Sound, Gibbston Valley.
Guidese editorial team
Travel research & data review
We build every guide from official tourism boards, operator sites and published price lists. We record where each number came from and when it was last checked.
- Every cost and season figure is sourced and dated
- No sponsored rankings or paid placements
- Facts re-checked on a scheduled review cycle

