A picturesque scene looking across Lake Wanaka.

Lake Wanaka lies at the heart of the Otago Lakes in the lower South Island of New Zealand. At an altitude of 300 metres it is New Zealand's fourth largest lake covering an area of 192 square km, and estimated to be more than 300m deep. The lake lies in a u-shaped valley formed by glacial erosion during the last ice age, more than 10,000 years ago. It is fed by the Matukituki and Makarora Rivers, and is the source of the Clutha River. Nearby Lake Hāwea lies in a parallel valley carved by a neighbouring glacier eight kilometres to the east.

The township of Wanaka lies on it's southernmost shores and is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park. In addition to ongoing sheep farming, the lake is now a popular resort, and is much used in the summer for fishing, boating and swimming. The nearby mountains and fast-flowing rivers allow for adventure tourism year-round, with jetboating, skiing and numerous other tourist facilities located nearby.