It is only a willow, yet That Wānaka Tree draws more cameras than most national monuments. A crack willow growing from a few metres of lake gravel just off the shore at Roys Bay, its branches arch over the water and frame Mount Roy, Mount Alpha and the far peaks of the Southern Alps when the lake is still. The tree took on its present fame through photography, and each year thousands of people walk along the lakefront track to see it at sunrise, when the light turns the lake pink and gold, or at dusk, when the water settles into mirror calm. It has also been fragile: in recent years visitors climbing into the branches broke limbs and left the tree needing care, and the local community now asks people to admire and photograph it from the shore without touching it.
How to visit
The tree sits on the lakeshore a short walk west of the town centre, reached along the lakefront path from Roys Bay, and the stroll takes about fifteen to twenty minutes from Ardmore Street. There is parking near the Wānaka–Mount Aspiring Road end of the track, and the path is flat, so it suits most visitors, including families with pushchairs.
Access is free and open at all hours, which is why sunrise is so popular. Lake levels shift through the seasons, so how much of the tree stands in water depends on when you visit.
What to expect
The setting is the draw, more than the tree itself. In still weather the lake reflects the peaks and the willow like a mirror, and in spring and summer the water level can be higher, giving a sense of the tree floating. In autumn the leaves turn yellow, and in winter the bare branches can be set against snowy mountains.
Because so many people come, plan on a crowd at sunrise and sunset and aim for another time if you want quiet. A tripod, a wide lens and warm layers help, and early mornings can be very cold even in summer. Please stay on the shore: wading in, climbing the tree or flying drones near it can damage it and upset others.
Making the most of it
Combine the tree with a lakefront walk or bike ride, a coffee in town and a swim at one of the beaches. It sits near the start of several walks, including the lakeside path to Eely Point and the Millennium Track along the Clutha, so it fits easily into a slow day.
Visit twice if you can, once in the soft light of morning and once at golden hour, because the angle and the mood change completely. If the lake is rough, wait for the wind to drop; the best pictures usually come on the calmest mornings.
Good to know
Lake levels, wind and light change constantly, so treat your first visit as a scouting trip and return when the conditions look right. Early risers may find the car park full by sunrise in peak season, so walking from town is often quicker. Bring a microfibre cloth for lenses in the damp morning air, and keep the path clear for others while you set up a tripod.
The surrounding lakefront also has public toilets, picnic spots and a swim beach nearby, which makes this an easy stop with children and an excuse to linger.
What to expect
The experience
A free, self-guided lakeside stroll and photo stop at a lone willow in the shallows of Lake Wānaka.
Best time
Sunrise or sunset on a still day, when the lake mirrors the mountains.
How long
Thirty minutes to an hour, including the walk from town.
Tips
Go early to beat the crowds, wear warm layers, keep to the shore, and do not climb into the tree.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Photographers and anyone wanting an easy, iconic Wānaka moment.
- Families
- A short flat walk with open space and stones to throw; keep children out of the water near the tree.
- Couples
- A sunrise visit with a thermos, or a golden-hour stroll back into town for dinner.
- Pair with
- A cruise on the lake or a swim at Roys Bay beach.
- Time needed
- Under an hour, or longer if waiting for light.
Good questions
Where is That Wānaka Tree?+
It stands in the shallows of Lake Wānaka near Roys Bay, a short walk along the lakefront path west of the town centre.
Can you climb That Wānaka Tree?+
Please do not. The tree has been damaged by people climbing in the branches, and visitors are asked to enjoy it from the shore.
When is the best time to photograph it?+
Sunrise and sunset on a still day give the best light and reflections. Autumn colour and winter snow on the mountains add variety.
Is there an entry fee?+
No. The tree is on public lakeshore and the track is free to use at any hour.
How far is it from Wānaka town?+
Roughly a fifteen to twenty minute walk from the centre along the flat lakefront path.