[image] According to the 2001 census the permanent resident population is 3330, an increase of 804 since 1996.
The town is part of the Queenstown-Lakes district and was called Pembroke until 1940. It was originally settled during the gold rush excitement in the 19th century.
These days, with its beautiful lake and mountain views, Wanaka has become a popular tourist resort, favoured by many for being less commercialised than Queenstown.
Nearby are Treble Cone and Cardrona, two of New Zealand's premier ski areas. Other attractions in the area include Puzzling World and the biennial Warbirds over Wanaka air show, which has become a major attraction for national and international guests. Wanaka boasts a growing number of excellent restaurants, cafes and a diverse nightlife.
Wanaka is host to some of New Zealand's best outdoor recreation with world-class mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, mountaineering, fishing, paragliding, and watersports of all kinds. With one of New Zealand's sunniest climates, Wanaka is truly an adventure paradise.
In April 2004, Air New Zealand Link commenced daily passenger flights from Christchurch to Wanaka in a Beechcraft 1900D Airliner.