Wanaka in 3D: Finding the Lone Willow in the Lake

On New Zealand's South Island, the lakeside town of Wanaka opens onto snow-capped ranges — and a lone willow standing in the water that became a national icon. Here's how to explore every corner of Wanaka in 3D with live Street View — right from your iPhone.

On New Zealand's South Island, the lakeside town of Wanaka opens onto snow-capped ranges — and a lone willow standing in the water that became a national icon.

But here's the catch: most people will never stand here in person. The flights, the crowds, the sheer distance — Wanaka stays firmly on the someday list. The good news is that you no longer have to wait for someday. You can explore Wanaka today, in full 3D with live Street View, right from your phone.

The willow began life as a fence-post cutting that took root in the lake — now the most photographed tree in the country. That history is exactly what makes it worth seeing up close — and worth scouting properly before you go.

What makes Wanaka special

A few sights define Wanaka, and you'll want to find each of them when you explore in 3D:

• That Wanaka Tree — 'That Wanaka Tree', a solitary willow growing straight out of the lake, framed by mountains.

• Wanaka in Autumn — The lake and its shoreline glowing under autumn golds and long southern light.

• Lake Wanaka Sunset — The definitive lake sunset, peaks silhouetted across the still water.

• The wider setting — half the magic of Wanaka is the landscape around it, which reads best from above in a 3D view.

Together, these sights give Wanaka its unmistakable character. Exploring in 3D lets you move between all of them in seconds — comparing the angles, judging the distances, and deciding which ones deserve the most of your time when you finally visit in person.

How to explore Wanaka in 3D with MAPAS

You don't need a plane ticket to walk these streets. Here's the fastest way to experience Wanaka from your sofa:

1. Open MAPAS and search for Wanaka, New Zealand — the map drops you straight into the region.

1. Switch to 3D view and tilt the map so the terrain, buildings and landscape rise into relief around you.

1. Drop into Live Street View near That Wanaka Tree, the view most visitors travel here for, and look around in every direction.

1. Fly across to Lake Wanaka Sunset to see it from an angle few travellers ever reach on foot.

1. Turn on GPS navigation to trace the real walking route between the sights — so the day you arrive, you already know it by heart.

The best viewpoints to look for

When you're exploring in 3D, aim for these spots — they're the exact angles photographers wait all morning for:

• That Wanaka Tree — 44.6975° S, 169.1247° E

• Wanaka in Autumn — 44.6942° S, 169.1417° E

• Lake Wanaka Sunset — 44.7000° S, 169.1300° E

Line any of them up in 3D first, and you'll know precisely where to stand — and which hour of the day gives you the light — long before you travel.

Why see it in 3D before you go

Scouting a destination virtually isn't just fun — it saves real time and money. You'll spot which viewpoints are worth the climb, how the sights connect, and where the crowds gather, so your actual visit is spent seeing rather than searching. You arrive already oriented, instead of burning your first morning getting lost.

And if a trip to Wanaka isn't on the calendar yet, the 3D tour stands on its own — a genuine way to experience one of the world's most remarkable places from wherever you are.

Good to know

A few essentials before you dive in:

• Cost — MAPAS is free to download on the App Store, with no sign-up required to start exploring.
• Best for — trip planning, virtual travel, and scouting photo spots like That Wanaka Tree before you commit to a route.
• Works on — iPhone and iPad, so you can plan on the couch and navigate on the road.
• Part of — our "Hidden Places You Must See" series, a growing collection of the world's most surreal destinations in 3D.

Plan the real trip (when you're ready)

Wanaka is an hour from Queenstown over the Crown Range. Autumn (April–May) turns the town gold; the tree is a five-minute walk from the centre.

Whenever you do go, a little virtual scouting means you'll spend your time on the ground soaking it in rather than working out where to point the camera. Until then, the 3D version is open 24/7 — no crowds, no flights, no queue for the viewpoint.