New Zealand may be famed for its fabulous weather, but you’ve got to expect a few cruddy days on which the low-hung grey skies obliterate the view and the rain precludes tramping.

When in Wanaka, on New Zealand’s South Island, you may well want to pray for just one damp day. Why? Because it’s a jolly good excuse to snub the outdoors and head to a few of the area’s indoor attractions.

Have A Shot

Pick your weapon. Go on, you know you want to. ‘Have A Shot’, situated opposite Wanaka Airport, allows you to experience firing all sorts of dangerous weapons including bows and arrows, small-bore rifles, shotguns and balls. Yes, balls. The shooting complex has a unique “battlefield” game whereby you bombard your opponents with sponge balls. At $7 for 20 minutes it’s great for working up an appetite. Check out the trap shooting and feel the kick of a shotgun.

Puzzle World

If you want to aim straight I advise going to Puzzle World after Have A Shot. And no, despite its outwards appearance, you don’t need kids in tow to enjoy what’s in store. Optical illusions and mind-bending puzzles galore await you, and I’d only spoil the fun if I was to go into detail, but those with a sensitive tummy might want to delay lunch until afterwards.

If the rain subsides there’s an outdoor maze to get lost in and some fantastic photo opportunities with the ‘Leaning Tower of Wanaka’.

Comfort Food

The end of a grey day means comfort food. You can’t go wrong with Speight’s Ale House situated just back from Lake Wanaka in the main part of town. The comprehensive menu includes racks of ribs the length of which you’ve never seen, over-order at your peril. Learn the Southern Man song, watch rugby on the monitors and sample a large variety of Speight’s beer in what is a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere for a themed pub.

mIf you need a little more warming up, there’s a fantastic Indian restaurant on Brownston Street called ‘Ashraf’s Indian and Kashmiri’. It doesn’t look much from the outside but, from one curry aficionado to another, it’s one of the better Indian meals I’ve had in New Zealand, and bear in mind I’ve eaten at ‘Oh Calcutta’ in Auckland – supposedly the best in New Zealand.