Puzzling World, Wanaka: Hours, Address, Puzzling World Reviews: 4.5/5
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!
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingFull view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
99 within 5 kms

Bistro Gentil
566
1.7 km$$$$ • French • European • Wine Bar

Rhyme X Reason Brewery
42
1.4 km$$ - $$$ • Brew Pub • Pub

Red Star Burger Bar
423
1.8 km$ • Quick Bites • American • Fast food

Burrito Craft
240
1.9 km$ • Quick Bites • Mexican • Fast food

Curbside Coffee & Bagels
13
1.4 km$ • Cafe • Australian • New Zealand

Double Black
67
1.6 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly

The Wanaka 'Wich Project
3
1.3 km$$ - $$$ • American

Kika
636
2 km$$ - $$$ • Healthy • New Zealand • Vegetarian Friendly

Ashraf's
122
1.7 km$$ - $$$ • Indian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

Kota Restaurant & Bar Wanaka
341
2 km$$ - $$$ • International • Contemporary • Vegetarian Friendly
Attractions
25 within 10 kms

Mount Iron Track
854
1 kmHiking Trails

Lake Wanaka
2,303
2.4 kmBodies of Water

Wanaka i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
240
2.1 kmVisitor Centres

Wanaka Lavender Farm
385
2.2 kmFarms

Wanaka
1,322
3 kmBodies of Water • Ski & Snowboard Areas

Isthmus Peak Track
57
2.4 kmHiking Trails

Roys Peak Track
927
Hiking Trails

Rippon Vineyard
378
Wineries & Vineyards

Maude Wines
38
1.6 kmWineries & Vineyards

Aitken's Folly Vineyard
30
2.1 kmWineries & Vineyards
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
2,094 reviews
Excellent
1,071
Very good
786
Average
185
Poor
31
Terrible
21
Kaz B
Auckland, New Zealand49 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Such a great place to visit with kids and a great price. Would definitely go again when we visit wanaka. Maze was amazing.
Written 23 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tim L
Auckland, New Zealand17 contributions
Dec 2021
Had a fabulous visit. Some of the things are a little dated but they are still really interesting & cool.
Some of the illusions are super impressive
The maze is great. Give it time & patience, it says it's hard & it's hard
Some of the illusions are super impressive
The maze is great. Give it time & patience, it says it's hard & it's hard
Written 26 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jandel2015
Christchurch, New Zealand29 contributions
Jan 2022
Duncan? the Manager was very helpful and nice, when my friend's phone died and she could not show a vaccine pass. I think other staff need training in customer service; except for Aaron? at the front desk. Puzzling World is interesting, but has hardly changed since I was a kid; so some new activies inside and especially outside would be good. The price is high for what it is currentlt. I think its a good idea you can use the cafe without having to go into the events. The maze is good, but it was a super hot day for us, so we gave up in the end for an iceblock.
Written 6 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Cherie S
Nelson, New Zealand200 contributions
Nov 2021
I enjoyed my time at Puzzling World. It wasn't as large as I thought it would be but amused us for an hour. Cost was a it high.
Written 20 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LeanneB
Christchurch, New Zealand70 contributions
Nov 2021
I would not go again. It is very pricey for the amount of time you are actually there. The maze was frustrating and could have some helpful hints, we ended up cheating and taking a no exit, exit as it was starting to rain heavy.
The inside of puzzling world was very well done but the children got bored easily and moved on to the next thing fast and in a blink of an eye it was over.
The inside of puzzling world was very well done but the children got bored easily and moved on to the next thing fast and in a blink of an eye it was over.
Written 14 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bradley S
2 contributions
Sep 2020 • Family
Wanaka’s must see attraction for any family or people who enjoy a good puzzle.
Make sure you allow enough time to get lost in New Zealand’s best maze.
Make sure you allow enough time to get lost in New Zealand’s best maze.
Written 23 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Grant O
Broadbeach, Australia32 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
One of the best attractions for children and adults I have ever seen! Even though it was raining when we arrived we still occupied nearly 3 hours without noticing the time passing. The grandchildren were totally absorbed as was I.
Written 5 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Elyse
32 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
I'm not much of a puzzler I stopped here because i was travelling through Wanaka and was pleasantly surprised by the illusions room. There was a very diverse range of things to look at, and I really enjoyed the little museum of odd things and reading about Chindogu.
Written 5 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lucinda J
909 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
Do not miss this it’s so much fun. Bring your kids or do what we did and release your kid. Loved the illusions and the maze was a hoot
Written 1 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Telly
Rolleston, New Zealand69 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
Interesting place. The illusion rooms were amazing. Although, the room on an angle was amazing, be careful if you have balance, inner ear or other related issues. Both my husband and I felt ill after awhile, but the teens were happy as larry! Although after a long time one of them was spacing out 😄 The other areas were nice. We could have done without the maze! Teens gave up after 75 minutes and then couldn’t get out, husband lasted 15 minutes & bailed, and I gave it an hour. Honestly, unless you have time to kill, don’t go in there! The pricing is better if you purchase for both these for a family. Worth the visit, but wouldn’t make the drive from Queenstown to do it
Written 1 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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, Australia1,543 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
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
- (1.48 km) Criffel Peak View B&B and Apartment
- (2.04 km) Lakeside Apartments
- (2.36 km) Riverview Terrace
- (2.49 km) Wanaka Haven
- 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