Wanaka's Puzzling World is officially weird

A quirky New Zealand attraction - Stuart Landsborough’s Puzzling World, on the shores of Lake Wanaka - has landed in an international list of weird tourist attractions.

Lined up against a list that includes Delhi’s museum of toilets, a jellyfish lake, and a Texas prison with an electric chair, Puzzling World’s entry could also qualify as the most family friendly.

The World’s Top 10 Weirdest Tourist Attractions list on travel website IGoUgo.com is compiled from traveller’s feedback on unique tourist attractions that defy convention.

Leaning Tower of Wanaka
Puzzling World’s Leaning Tower of Wanaka tilted at a gravity defying 53 degrees has become an iconic landmark on the outskirts of the southern town, and no doubt helped secure its spot on the list.

The colourful leaning tower sits at the entrance to the seven-acre tourist attraction which the top 10 list describes as a "repository of weird and wonderful stuff" - a fascinating collection of eccentric buildings and activities that wow visitors of all ages.

Puzzling World attracts over 160,000 visitors annually, passing the two million visitors mark in 2007.

Puzzling attractions
Puzzling World started out in 1973 with a one-kilometre long wooden maze made of 600 posts and 12,000 wooden planks, and now includes four illusion rooms that use perspective and holograms to deliver out-of-this-world experiences, a puzzle centre and cafe, set in landscaped grounds.

A million-dollar major new attraction is in development. The new illusion garden is a collaboration with movie production wizards Weta Workshop - part of Peter Jackson’s Wellington, New Zealand, film empire.

The illusion garden will feature surrealist or illusionary sculptures on a winding pathway through a garden of real and artificial plants. Some of the man-made plants have been used on film sets for movies such as Avatar.

The huge indoor - outdoor attraction is scheduled to open at Easter 2011.

World’s Top 10 Weirdest Tourist Attractions
Puzzling World - Wanaka, New Zealand
Sulabh International Museum of Toilets - Delhi, India
Texas Prison Museum - Huntsville, Texas, USA
Peabody Duck March - Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Jellyfish Lake - Rock Islands, Palau
Beer-Drinking Burros - Isla La Roqueta, Mexico
Haines Shoe House - Hellam, Pennsylvania, USA
Joe’s Scarecrow Village - Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada
Christ of the Abyss - Key Largo, Florida, USA
Moosefest - Roslyn, Washington, USA

Lake Wanaka outdoor adventures
Lake Wanaka, in New Zealand’s Southern Lakes region, was voted fourth most popular outdoor adventure destination in the South Pacific in 'TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice 2010 - The Best Destinations Awards'.

The web-based awards are voted by millions of travellers, and recognise the most memorable destinations around the world.

Voters rated the vibrant alpine town for both its adventure activities and relaxing atmosphere.

Lake Wanaka’s location at the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park and the Te Wahi Pounamu World Heritage Area makes it a great choice for travellers wanting spectacular scenery and outdoor adventure in an unspoiled environment.