That Wānaka Tree: New Zealand’s Most Famous Tree

We all dream of becoming famous at some point. These days, you can try your luck through controversial reality shows, gain attention by doing ridiculous things online, or become well known because you genuinely excel at something. Another option is to simply be a partially submerged willow tree standing by itself in Lake Wānaka.

Helena Westfall

Desk note

That Wānaka Tree has developed into something of an Instagram sensation in recent years. During our latest visit to the Wānaka region, we decided to stop by and see whether the famous tree really deserves all the attention. Our main reason for visiting the area was to hike Roys Peak, but we were curious to find out what makes this particular tree so popular. Is it genuinely impressive, completely overrated, or simply a tree growing in a lake? Here is what I thought.

That Wānaka Tree

Before seeing the tree in person, I have to admit that I was rather skeptical about the whole phenomenon. A fairly ordinary-looking tree that had been turned into a social media celebrity by Instagram users did not immediately sound like something worth seeking out.

Most of the spectacular photographs I had seen were captured around sunrise or sunset, which hardly seemed fair. Almost any landscape can look extraordinary when photographed during those magical hours. I even started wondering whether photographing the tree outside my own house at sunrise could somehow turn it into the next internet sensation.

Visiting That Wānaka Tree

We parked near the beach and began walking along the shoreline. In the distance, we could see a small crowd of people gathered in one particular area.

Then the tree finally came into view.

I would love to say that the sight produced an overwhelming emotional response, complete with racing thoughts, uncontrollable excitement, and a dramatic tear rolling down my cheek onto the rocky shore.

The reality was considerably less dramatic. I honestly cannot remember exactly what I felt when I first saw it, despite writing about the experience less than a day afterward. More likely, I was still feeling the effects of the demanding Roys Peak hike we had just completed.

That said, I do understand why people are drawn to That Wānaka Tree. There is something visually appealing about seeing a solitary tree standing alone in the water. It also provides an excellent subject and natural focal point for photographs of the enormous Lake Wānaka.

So while I would not necessarily describe the tree as a life-changing sight, I can certainly appreciate its photographic appeal.

Getting There

Getting to That Wānaka Tree is quite straightforward. A car park is located directly beside the beach, roughly one kilometer from central Wānaka, where you will find the town's main collection of restaurants and shops.

If you do not have access to a car, there is no real need to arrange special transportation. The location can easily be reached on foot by following the beach from downtown Wānaka.

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