TRAFFIC DELAYS
In 2026, Challenge Wanaka events will take place from 19th–21st February, based at Pembroke Park. We have carefully planned to minimize disruption while ensuring the event’s success. Below are key details about traffic delays and road closures that may affect you.
ROAD CLOSURES
For your convenience, maps can also be viewed below showing specific details on the where and when the closure will happen.
- Wednesday – Saturday (18-21 Feb): Ardmore Street (alongside Pembroke Park)
- Wednesday (18 Feb): Ardmore Street-McDougall Street, Wanaka – Mt Aspiring Road (to end of Showgrounds) 3pm-8pm
- Thursday (19 Feb): Ardmore Street – McDougall Street, Wānaka-Mt Aspiring Rd (to Sargood Drive) from 7am-4pm
- Friday (20 Feb): Ardmore Street, McDougall Street, Wānaka-Mt Aspiring Rd (to Sargood Drive) from 7am-2.30pm
- Friday (20 Feb): Wānaka-Mt Aspiring Rd to Mt Roy Carpark from 12.30pm–2.30pm.
- Saturday (21 Feb): Wānaka-Mt Aspiring Rd to Treble Cone from 5.30am–1:30pm.
- Saturday (21 Feb): McDougall Street to Golf Course Road, Beacon Point Beach Access, Lakeside Drive & Dungarvon from 8am–5pm.
Residents impacted by these road closures will be able to access their properties but may be subject to delays.
IMPORTANT – ESSENTIAL ACCESS PASS REQUESTS:
If you are a resident/business owner on Wānaka Mt Aspiring Rd or an area accessed from this road and absolutely need access during the closure on Sat 21st 5am – 1:30pm, please email [email protected] with the subject line ‘Road closure special access pass’ and advise the name/s of the people needing access, the approximate timing and the licence plate of the vehicle. We will add your details to the list of approved travellers for our Traffic Management Team and issue you a special pass.
IMPORTANT FOR RESIDENTS – PLEASE READ
For a more detailed summary of closures and details on access for residents see PDF linked below.
INTERACTIVE OVERVIEW
Interactive Map
ALL EVENT - WED 18 - SAT 21 FEBRUARY
Adrmore Street (along Pembroke Park)
WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY
Ardmore Street – McDougall Street – Mt Aspiring Road
THURSDAY 19 FEBRUARY
Ardmore Street – McDougall Street – Mt Aspiring Road
FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY
Ardmore Street – Mt Aspiring Road
FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY 12.30pm - 2.30pm
Mt Aspiring Road (Secondary Schools Challenge)
SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY 5.30AM - 1.30PM
Mt Aspiring Road – Treble Cone
SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY 8.00AM - 5.00PM
One way on Dungarvon Street.
SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY 9.00AM - 11.00AM
Sargood Drive – Old Station Road
SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY - 6.30AM - 11.30AM
McDougall Street to Golf Course Road
SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY - 8.00AM - 5.00PM
Beacon Point Road to Beach Access
SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY 5.00am-5.00pm
Lakeside Drive (From Beacon Point Rd to Eely Point)
| ROAD CLOSURE | DATE AND TIME | PURPOSE | ALTERNATIVE ROUTE |
| Ardmore Street
From McDougall St to Dungarvon St |
ALL FESTIVAL
Wed 18 Feb 3pm – Sat 21 Feb 8pm |
Challenge Wānaka Festival Hub | Detour via Brownston St |
| Sections of:
McDougall St (from Brownston St to Ardmore St) Wanaka-Mt Aspiring Rd (from McDougall to end of Showgrounds) |
Wed 18 Feb 3pm – 7pm |
Youth Events | Detour via Brownston St & Meadowstone Drive |
| Sections of:
McDougall St (from Brownston St to Ardmore St) Wanaka-Mt Aspiring Rd (from McDougall St to Sargood Dr roundabout) |
Thurs 19 Feb 7am to 4pm Fri 20 Feb 7am to 2:30pm |
Youth Events | Detour via Brownston St & Meadowstone Drive & Old Station Ave |
| Wanaka-Mt Aspiring Rd (from Sargood Dr roundabout to just past Whare Kea Lodge) | Fri 20 Feb 12:30pm-2:30pm |
Secondary Challenge | Hard closure with NO vehicle access at all from 1:00pm – 2:00pm |
| Wanaka-Mt Aspiring Rd (from McDougall St to Treble Cone) | Sat 21 Feb 5am to 1:30pm |
Challenge Wānaka Half | Public closure – resident and business access only if essential. SPECIAL PASS REQUIRED |
| Section of McDougall St (from Golf Course Rd to Ardmore St) | Sat 21 Feb 6:30am to 11:30am | Challenge Wānaka Half | Across town via Stone Street & Golf Course Road |
| Areas of Sargood Dr & Old Station Rd near Roundabout
SIGNIFICANT DELAYS OF UP TO 30 MINS |
Sat 21 Feb 7:30am – 1:30pm key delays from 9am – 11am (during peak of bike leg) | Challenge Wānaka Half Bike | |
| One-way closure of sections of Dungarvon St and Ardmore St | Sat 21 Feb 8am to 5pm |
Challenge Wānaka Half | Detour via Helwick Street |
| One-way closure of Lakeside Rd (from Beacon Point Rd to Eely Point) | Sat 21 Feb 8am to 5pm |
Challenge Wānaka Half Run | Detour via Beacon Pt Rd to Eely Pt Road |
| Beacon Point Rd (from Penrith Park Drive to end) | Sat 21 Feb 8am to 5pm | Challenge Wānaka Half Run | Public Closure. |
DETOUR OPTIONS
Below are key details about detours available during road closures.
SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY - 5.30AM - 1.30PM
Mt Aspiring Road
THURS 19 & FRI 20 FEBRUARY
Mt Aspiring Road