More than 40,000 visitors attended the Wheels at Wānaka event during Easter (April 7-9) at Three Parks surpassing the 24,000 that attended in 2021.

The event’s general manager Allan Dippie said he was delighted with how quickly it has grown. 

“This year’s event felt successful in every way,” he said. 

“The volunteers and vehicle enthusiasts’ contributions were exceptional, the sun was shining, we had record numbers through the gate and everyone had a wonderful time.”

Tui Chisholm (3) of Dunedin receives vintage tractor driving lessons from her great grandfather Ralph Fegan (78) of Wanaka. PHOTO: Deanna Fegan

Visitors travelled from around the country to enjoy and participate in a variety of vehicle-related activities including an earthmoving extravaganza, tractor, truck and steam engine pull competitions, a non-stop parade ground programme, an enduro x motorbike competition, and rally and ATV demonstrations by motorsport legends Greg Murphy, Hayden Paddon and Ari Pettigrew.

“Wheels at Wānaka has to be one of the greatest shows celebrating all things vehicles anywhere in the world,” Greg Murphy said.

A highlight of the event was OceanaGold’s refurbished Cat 789 dump truck which visitors had the chance to photograph, climb on and experience the machine as a static display then witness its might and agility as it dumped nearly 200 tonnes of dirt in front of crowds in the earthmoving extravaganza and circumnavigated Highlands Parade Ground.

OceanaGold's Cat 789 dump truck makes its way into the parade ground at Wheels at Wānaka. PHOTO: Neil Kerr

“We’ve relished the opportunity to showcase both the machine and the phenomenal people who maintain and operate it,” OceanaGold’s Macrae Mine open pit manager Pieter Doelman said.

Wheels at Wānaka is a charitable event and a proportion of profits (yet to be determined) will be distributed to a number of causes. 

Wheels at Wānaka is scheduled to return from April 18-20, 2025.