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=A Bit of Wanaka's History=

Early Otago Maori used local passes to reach green stone (ponamu) on the west coast. There were small maori settlements (kianga) at Wanaka and Hawea

In 1853 Nathenial Chalmers guided by Chief Reko, is believed to have been the first European to see the lakes, returning to the east coast on a rush raft (mokihi) down the Clutha. However, Chief Te Huruhuru at Waimate, drew a sketch map of the lake and its surrounds for Mr Shortland earlier than this.

In 1857 John Turnball Thomson traveled via the Lindis Pass to the peak he named Grandview. Thomson also named Mt. Aspiring and Mt. Pisa. Soon after, came John Mclean who took up Morven Hills Station and Robert Wilkin who took up the run at Albert Town. Most Wanaka runs were taken up by the end of 1858.

=Natural Features=

Lindis Pass and Misty Mountains

The spectacular Lindis Pass links the Mackenzie Basin with Central Otago. The actual Pass crosses a saddle between the valleys of the Lindis and Ahuriri Rivers at a height of 971 metres above sea level.

You can expect to see snow in this mountainous area - often down to the roadside for many months of the year. Adjacent to the highway is the Lindis Conservation Area. Here snow tussock grassland dominates the countryside. Native bird species living here include titipounamu (rifleman), riroriro (grey warbler), piwakawaka (fantail) and karearea (falcon).

=Cultural Features= One of the cultural features is Fly Fishing. You can get a professional and you are able to go all over the South Island. You can Fly Fish for Rainbow Trout and Salmon. Also there is the Lake Wanaka Outlet Track which is a great place if you want to look at the lake and the beautiful mountains around it. This is a wonderful walk and it can take you all the way into town if you want to. You can run, walk and bike on this track. Or you can just take one of the side tracks leading off the main one and take your dog for a swim in the refreshing ocean, or just have a swim yourself.

=Why Wanaka is my favourite place.= Wanaka is my favourite place because it a place where I can get away from normal life and just bake in the sun until it goes down. I have always came here and it is my favourite place in the world. My Grandparents have lived here for so long and I can't imagine them loving any place else. This is the place where swimming is just a pass time and my friends are my priorities. I can't find a better place to spend time with family and do what ever I want for 3 weeks.