Lake Wanaka voted world's best new adventure hub
Thursday 22 March 2012, 1:59PM
By EveNZ
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Lake Wanaka in New Zealand’s South Island has been voted the world’s Best New Adventure Hub in leading US magazine, Outside’s 2012 Travel Awards.
Outside is a highly influential magazine with a circulation of over 678,000 reaching throughout the United States and around the world. James Helmore, general manager of Lake Wanaka Tourism, said this kind of editorial exposure was invaluable to the resort town’s international profile.
“Securing this accolade is a massive boost for Lake Wanaka’s profile in America,” he said. “Outside magazine is pretty much the bible for active outdoors travellers from North America and is hugely influential. The awards are billed as a definitive round up of the best new adventures which is not just a collection of unforgettable trips but also a road map to life-changing experiences. Lake Wanaka certainly delivers that with its spectacular scenery and freedom to enjoy the best the lakes, mountains, rivers and trails have to offer.”
Lake Wanaka, on the edge of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area, has fast become one of New Zealand’s leading outdoor destinations with hundreds of tracks and trails for running and mountain biking. It is also the training venue of choice for some of the world’s leading elite triathletes with its high altitude centre at Snow Farm, open water swimming in the crystal clear lake and uncrowded roads. Home to New Zealand’s largest triathlon festival, Challenge Wanaka, plus the iconic Hawea Epic mountain bike race it attracts thousands of athletes every year looking to train and compete in spectacular surroundings.
Lake Wanaka is also home to part of the 3,000km-long Te Araroa Walkway which features in Outside Magazine’s Hall of Fame. Running the length of New Zealand, Te Araroa (‘long walkway’ in Maori) goes along three of Wanaka’s most scenic tracks from Lake Hawea, along the Clutha River track and around the western edge of Lake Wanaka before heading into the surrounding mountains.
For further information, please visit www.lakewanaka.co.nz