Street life,Wanaka
Words by jo elwin
You might have to head to Wanaka’s Gordon Road for some work on the car at Southern Lakes Panel Beating or Diesel Zone. To work on yourself at Central Lakes Physio and Pilates, Pelvic Solutions or CrossFit Wanaka. Or perhaps work on the house at Nulook or Salmond Architecture. But there eight other businesses that make us want to spend time on this unassuming road on the outskirts of town.
Ground Up Brewing
The cellar door at Ground Up Brewing is open from 2pm-6pm every day except for Sunday when they close at 5pm. You’ll find an ever-changing menu of bottled beers or bring your own bottle for refilling. Owners, mountain men Oli and Julian, are constantly experimenting so there’s always something new and quite often exclusive to the cellar door. You will find a list of what’s currently pouring at ground-up.co.nz/cellar-door. The cellar door focuses on tasting rather than drinking (for that see Rhyme and Reason) and for those planning events and functions they offer an extensive range of beer in kegs and a mobile bar unit. 4 Gordon Road.
The Fit Collective
If you prefer to take your exercise with a dose of good company, head to The Fit Collective. There is a timetable of classes designed to shred fat, boost metabolism, build strength, box, lift weights and ‘improve fundamental movements for life’ in play at their unassuming Gordon Road Hub six days a week. Their very social OCR (obstacle course racing) and Spartan groups are open to young and old and they have a host of kids’ programmes designed to get them moving and to enjoy being active. The Fit Collective team believe that strength lies in community and provide plenty of motivation to help members achieve their goals. 5 Gordon Road.
Upper Clutha Hospice Warehouse Shop
Give yourself plenty of time to have a good fossick around The Upper Clutha Hospice Warehouse Shop where you will find a lot of furniture and larger items that the Hospice Shop in Brownston Street doesn’t have room for. This warehouse is also the main drop off point if you have items to donate. Open weekdays only 10am-3pm. 9A Gordon Road.
Little Black Caravan
Jo and Alex moved the Little Black Caravan to Gordon Road from Kapiti in 2018 and they have brought Wellington’s fairtrade & organic People’s Coffee with them. The caravan’s hatch is open from 7am until 2pm Monday to Friday and makes for an easy stop on the way in or out of town for a coffee and a freshly baked treat. For something more substantial there’s a smoko menu of toasties made with The People’s Bread (of Wanaka) that is the stuff of legends. If you have time you can settle into the cosy courtyard or be gone in a flash by texting your order to 0278982522. They will have it all ready to go on your arrival. 15 Gordon Road.
Rhyme and Reason
When brewer Jess Wolfgang and her partner Simon Ross opened Rhyme and Reason in 2017 Wanaka gravitated. This small brewery and bar is open from midday every day for you to fill up your riggers and/or grab a pint. The selection of tap beers changes like the Wanaka wind as seasonal and experimental brews come and go – the choice having many acting like kids in a candy shop. They take a dollar of all pints during ‘hoppy hour’ (4-6pm every day), there’s more often than not one of the region’s finest food trucks parked up in the courtyard, and live music and DJs keep the place rocking. 17 Gordon Road.
The Green Room Flower Company
Weddings keep the florists very busy, but it’s the day-to-day at the Green Room Flower Company that makes us happy. This handy little store is filled with freshly cut flowers, houseplants and other thoughtful gift ideas. There’s always something new and interesting and the team are generous with advice for the green and not-so-green-fingered. 21B Gordon Road. Open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-1pm.
The Body Garage
Through yoga, pilates and therapeutic massage The Body Garage “restores bodies”. Prairie Pritchett and her team offer a range of classes for everybody – from beginner to advanced, mums and bubs and the Southern Man - at all times of the day. They specialise in deep tissue, restorative/remedial, myofascial release, pregnancy and post-natal massage. The studio can also be hired for community events and workshops related to health and wellbeing. 21J Gordon Road.
