Hard to believe this was a mere sheep paddock 25 years ago. Originally a private strip on famous aviator, Sir Tim Wallis’ Luggate deer farm. Became the small lakeside town of Wanaka’s airport when the decision was made to close the old town strip below Mt Iron and in partnership with Sir Tim, developed into the town’s "new" airport. Mainly to house the now famous Alpine Fighter Collection working museum and local sightseeing and alpine air services. The Runway was paved in 1986 and the first of the biannual Warbirds Over Wanaka held in 1988. The small terminal is adequate for Air New Zealand’s twice daily Beech 1900D flights. Sight seeing, joyriding (from a Tigermoth to a P51D Mustang) and alpine services have their own terminals in a well laid out and relaxing atmosphere – until Easter every Even year when the 3 day Airshow is on and up to 80 000 people cram in daily on huge grandstands on the field itself and the ledge above it. A site to behold. Air New Zealand is looking to add Q300 services to this magnificent destination as Wanaka moves out of Queenstown’s shadow and becomes a destination in its own right!