That Wānaka Tree, also known as That Wānaka Willow, is a lone willow tree standing in the water at the southern end of Lake Wānaka in New Zealand’s Otago region. It has become a popular attraction for visitors, especially those seeking Instagram-worthy photos. The tree was originally planted by Tim Scur as a simple fence post, but it unexpectedly took root and grew. Today it appears on postcards, in artwork and in countless travel images associated with New Zealand. Its nickname comes from the Instagram hashtag “#ThatWanakaTree,” which photographers use to tag pictures of the tree. It has often been described as New Zealand’s most famous tree and one of the most photographed trees in the country. The tree’s popularity has unfortunately led to repeated damage, both accidental and deliberate. In late 2017 a branch broke off after tourists attempted to climb the tree, prompting the local tourism board to install signs asking visitors not to do so. On 18 March 2020 the tree was vandalised when several limbs were sawn off and left on the shore. Reports noted that the cold water surrounding its roots would make regrowth difficult. The environmental pressure on the tree has been compared to the human impact seen at other heavily visited sites such as Joshua Tree National Park and Uluru.