Puzzling World
Puzzling World
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Welcome to Wanaka's wonderful world of weirdness! Puzzling World has been messing with people's heads since 1973. Bizarre buildings, rooms of illusions and our famous maze will baffle your brain and challenge your perceptions of reality. Even if you only pay a visit to New Zealand's most unusual public toilets, your world will never be the same again. Seeing is disbelieving!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
2,105 reviews
Excellent
1,077
Very good
789
Average
187
Poor
31
Terrible
21
TR82
Brisbane212 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Went to puzzling world with kids (5 & 10) price for a family about $85 which was reasonable s you could spend about 2-3hrs here easily.
We started with the outdoor maze which I thought would be easy but it was bloody hard and frustrating! The kids enjoyed it, but be warned it is 1.5km long and when you factor in going to dead ends it can take people up to 2.5kms to finish and about an hour, we got halfway after 40 mins and I decided to stop as weather was coming in and we had to go over the mountain.
The indoor attractions are interesting, I w on spoil any by describing here.
The food options are good for kids and reasonably priced, on the cafe tables there are small puzzles for the kids to try which is free and fun.
The owners were there and you could tell they were super passionate about the place which I love.
Only downside was the coffee was not great.
We started with the outdoor maze which I thought would be easy but it was bloody hard and frustrating! The kids enjoyed it, but be warned it is 1.5km long and when you factor in going to dead ends it can take people up to 2.5kms to finish and about an hour, we got halfway after 40 mins and I decided to stop as weather was coming in and we had to go over the mountain.
The indoor attractions are interesting, I w on spoil any by describing here.
The food options are good for kids and reasonably priced, on the cafe tables there are small puzzles for the kids to try which is free and fun.
The owners were there and you could tell they were super passionate about the place which I love.
Only downside was the coffee was not great.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kasey D
Dunedin, New Zealand5 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Expensive for what you got. The illusions are cool though, but the maze and other areas are tired and dated. The cafe could do with a huge upgrade. Best for kids I think and if you have run out of things for them to do. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Written 16 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becky053
Bloomington, IN285 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
There was some fun to be had for two adults but would be far more interesting to kids. The crooked room was fun but otherwise a collection of well known illusions that you don’t need to go here to see. The outdoor maze was challenging but allow plenty of time. We wish we would have skipped this place.
Written 27 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnnaNZPorirua
Porirua, New Zealand162 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
$77 for a family pass to the illusions and the maze but you can just sit and play with the puzzles as much as you like. The illusions may hurt your head and make you feel spaced out but there's always some lively competition to be had competing the maze.
Written 20 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BarbarajrB
Otaki, New Zealand18 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
Great cafe with puzzles to do. Awesome encounter room, the sloping room was amazing. Maze was long to do, went out exit door as was a hot day. Outside photo ops with leanjng tower so cool. Welm worth it
Written 8 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Justine W
37 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Great illusion rooms and had lots of fun but a bit overpriced. $77 for a family. Expected a bit more after lots of hype. Was ok
Written 6 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sebastian Deist
Ingelheim, Germany282 contributions
Nov 2022
The puzzling world is absolutely worth the money! At every edge and in every room you'll find strange but mind blowing illusions. On rainy days if you are in Wanaka and unbeatable experience... and even on sunny days it's a recommendation as you could do the outdoor maze (which I didn't manage to finish to be honest). Take your time (plan around 2-4h to spend at the puzzling world incl. the shop and maze) and enjoy these illusions, but be prepared for a headache or feeling a bit dizzy as your brain get overstrained :-)
Written 16 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mischa642016
Melbourne, Australia47 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
Allow ample time to read and explore all areas. The illusions, free games in the cafe area and the Maze are all incredible. What a fun way to spend the afternoon with your family. Ideal for people of all ages. You need to climb steps in the maze and you need a lot of patience to walk through the maze and find each tower. Bring a water bottle and wear a hat as it can get warm whilst walking around. I’d return to solve the maze. We only found 3 of the 4 towers.
Written 16 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dylan
11 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
This place was really fun and an easy indoor activity that was well suited to the environment. Good option for young children who need something exciting.
Written 7 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil-Joel
Sydney, Australia570 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We all love a maze, so we we’re always going to drop in.
But the added attractions make this a great way to spend a few hours in Wanaka.
But the added attractions make this a great way to spend a few hours in Wanaka.
Written 6 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katy M
2 contributions
Hi, we are looking to do this as a couple, how long roughly would it take?
Voltmonkey
21 contributions
It could take you a few minutes to a couple of hours, depends on how long you want to stay.
dorotaberes
Valby, Denmark9 contributions
We are a family of 3. Do we have to book Puzzling World in advance for a certain time or can we just stop by and enter when we want?
Montessoriquiltr
Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand21 contributions
No need to book. You can wander around on your own as there is no guide.
Ele2007
Washington DC, DC45 contributions
Is this more of a family oriented place or would a couple in their late 30's enjoy it on their own? Would you recommend it to us as a "must do" or rather as a "do on a rainy day" type of activity? We are planning on paragliding in the morning and in search of an after lunch activity. We plan to spend only the one day in Wanaka.
Awsomeal
Adelaide, Australia1,552 contributions
I'm in my late 40s but a big kid . I enjoyed it . I wouldn't say a must do
But a fun do
Either family or as a couple . We did it as a couple and had fun
Little jealous on the paragliding you'll love that
Wanaka was a nice place peaceful but fun
Enjoy hope I've helped
Anrefa
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia2 contributions
Hi, I would like to know how to get to this place from Queenstown by bus, let say if i stay at Nomad Backpackers, i would like to make online booking for the bus and the entrance ticket to this place,
PuzzlingWorldWanaka
Wanaka, New Zealand3 contributions
Hi Ann,
Thanks for your question
Many shuttle buses run frequent services from Queenstown to/from Wanaka – we recommend Alpine Conexxions.
They will also be able to drop off (and possibly collect you) at our business, 2km from Wanaka
Tickets can be purchased on arrival - bookings are not required :)
We look forward to seeing you!
Kind regards,
Duncan Spear
Marketing Manager
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Claim your listingPUZZLING WORLD: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Puzzling World
- Puzzling World is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Hotels near Puzzling World:
- (0.77 km) Oasis Yurt Lodge
- (2.04 km) Lakeside Apartments
- (1.48 km) Criffel Peak View B&B and Apartment
- (1.61 km) Archway Motels
- (2.36 km) Riverview Terrace
- Restaurants near Puzzling World:
- (1.64 km) Bistro Gentil
- (1.89 km) Burrito Craft
- (2.00 km) Kika
- (2.11 km) Big Fig
- (1.74 km) Red Star Burger Bar