There are more Australians moving to Wanaka than you would think.
Our client base is made up of 30% Australians. Most of these are successful professionals that have spent their working life in Sydney or Melbourne, but were not necessarily Australians by birth. They have holidayed here with their families over the years and are planning the next phase of their life as work merges towards retirement.
Many of the projects encompassing relocating to Wanaka from Australia are fulfilling the dream to build a home in one of their favourite holiday destinations. We have been involved in many exciting searches for the dream plot of land and then the arranging of interviewing architects, landscapers and builders.
The Wanaka lifestyle for Australians is about being active in nature away from city life but still being within easy striking distance of an international airport and a 2-hour flight back to Sydney and Melbourne, and the responsibilities that they are easing out of (not to mention children or even grandchildren).
The mountains are the major reason that Wanaka becomes a destination for Australians in the first place.
After the initial trip, the scope of Wanaka’s outdoor lifestyle becomes apparent and the allure of skiing, hiking, recreation on the lakes and rivers as well as the golfing become even more reasons to head to this destination.
The Wanaka climate is really appealing to Australians.
It is very similar to Melbourne, and for some of our Sydney based clients, there is major appeal to escape here in the depths of summer to escape the humidity.
Australians and Singaporeans are the only non New Zealanders able to buy property in New Zealand currently. Australian citizens are generally treated as New Zealand residents in New Zealand and are allowed to live, work and study and are able to do so indefinitely.
The common attraction for my Australians moving to Wanaka is the ability to be able to so easily participate in so many outdoor activities right on the doorstep plus participate in our close knit and diverse community which is ahead of its size when it comes to the arts and cultural offerings. One of my families from Melbourne are in Wanaka every school holidays. They have forged friendships with many Wanaka kids and are involved in skiing in the winter and sailing, biking plus golf in the summer and shoulder seasons. We really look forward to our catch ups each holidays.
Lifestyle wise for families, having a vegetable garden, enjoying a family pet and being able to walk or bike to school and activities is a really positive contrast to city life.
For Australians the Wanaka lifestyle means immersing themselves in a community.
They can become part of it and start to contribute in a really short space of time. Having locals to be able to cross the road to chat to or be invited to a BBQ is only as far away as standing on the sideline of a football game, or being part of a round at the Tuesday women’s golf day. Wanaka is a really inclusive town where many of the residents were also new to town not so long ago. This is a really non judgmental community which is not interested in how successful you were in your previous life, but whether they connect with you in a conversation and enjoy your company.
Lake Wanaka is almost a part of every day life for families in the summer.
Most of us head to the shore at the end of the day for a swim and more than likely a picnic at the end of the day. Boating up the lake is also part of life more days of the week than not for many families who arrive home to collapse into bed after a long day topped off with a refreshing dose of water sports. It doesn’t get dark here in summer until well after 10pm. While the lake is a huge focus for some, others of us have our riverside waterholes with swings or river surfing.
Wanaka is an outdoor adventurer’s dream!
Within half an hours drive of Wanaka you can be at the base of the chairlift at Treble Cone and Cardrona or be up at the cross country mecca. Many go up for a half day and only when there’s fresh powder!!! Its an employees expectation that on powder days there will be less hands on deck.
Mountain biking and trail riding are both participated in from residents doorsteps within the forest trails or alongside the lake and rivers. There are 2 very popular parks for those that are inclined to drive half an hour. Kids love Sticky Forest trails and a bike park right in the centre of town which is not a great place for mothers to go and watch).
For one of my families, the Wanaka lifestyle for Australians was all about training for competitive ski racing. This was a seasonal trip where home schooling was the go until at the end of one season the kids didn’t want to leave their buddies or lifestyle and go back. Another family moved here to transition to a better family life with better work life balance, smaller schools and more independence for the kids to be able to participate in activities with their friends after school.
A few of the couples that I have relocating from Australia come for several months at a time, a couple of times a year, as they transition out of busy professional lives to being here full time. These couples love the social aspect of Wanaka and have made solid friendships very quickly. Many of them love having their family over to stay, getting everyone together in the one place and all having time to enjoy some time out together.