Nelson Lakes
The Nelson Lakes in New Zealand’s Tasman District are some of the most famous yet most remote in the country. Nelson Lakes National Park, located at the northern tip of the Southern Alps, consists of 252,048 acres of protected public…
Lake Rotomahana
The Eighth Wonder of the World was the description conferred upon Lake Rotomahana’s geothermal “Pink and White Terraces.” The terraces were New Zealand’s most famous attraction for intrepid tourists in the mid-19th century, until the massive volcanic eruption of Mount…
Lake Matheson
The only way to approach Lake Matheson on the south island of New Zealand is on foot. Visitors to the South Westland lake park their cars, then start down the path that leads to the walking track circling the lake.…
Lake Wanaka
Formed by glaciers thousands of years ago and located on South Island, New Zealand, Lake Wanaka is New Zealand’s fourth largest lake and contains crystal clear water. The name is from the Maori, the first settlers of the area, which…
Lake Tutira
Lake Tutira, located on New Zealand’s North Island, is peaceful and scenic destination for nature lovers, especially bird watchers. The lake was declared a bird sanctuary in 1929 because of the many species of birds and waterfowl that nest in…
Lake Brunner
Moana Kotuku is what the Maori call Lake Brunner, naming it after the beautiful and rare white herons (kotuku) sometimes seen on the lake’s shores. The lake’s English name was given in memory of a 19th century British explorer, Thomas…
Lake Ferry
Lake Ferry, also known as Lake Onoke, sits at the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island. The waves of the Tasman Sea crash against a narrow gravel barrier, the structure that keeps the sea’s waters partially separated from the…
Lake Hayes
Picturesque when the poplars and willows adorning the lake are aglow with brilliant golds, Lake Hayes is a satisfying subject for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. The lake is located in Central Otago of New Zealand’s South Island, an area…
Lake Hawea
Surrounded by towering mountains in Central Otago of New Zealand’s South Island, Lake Hawea is a lake that was formed by glaciers thousands of years ago. It is in the heart of what is often called a golden country. Central…
Lake Coleridge
Nestled snugly between two mountain ranges and surrounded by lush green farming valleys, Lake Coleridge’s clear blue waters are a breathtaking wonder in New Zealand’s South Island. Set in the high country of the Christchurch-Canterbury region, Lake Coleridge’s freshwater basin…
Opunake Lake
Opunake Lake is situated off the coast of New Zealand near the town of Taranaki. Once a natural basin next to the Wajaur River, Opunake Lake was formed to generate electricity and now provides recreational activities for those who enjoy…
Lake Clearwater
When the winds are not blowing hard from off the mountains, Lake Clearwater holds images like a broad mirror. In it you can see reflections of the snow-capped Southern Alps that stretch for miles beyond under billowing clouds. No wonder…
Lake Maraetai
Lake Maraetai in the Taupo Region of New Zealand’s North Island is a little-known vacationer’s dream. The 1013 acre reservoir just 33 miles north of Lake Taupo is a new lake; completion of the dam and power stations that form…
Lake Arapuni
In Maori one of the meanings of “ara puni” is “blocked path” making Arapuni Lake an appropriate name for the man made reservoir on the North Island of New Zealand. The long narrow lake stretches 22 miles along the Waikato…
Lake Wakatipu
Lake Wakatipu on the South Island of New Zealand is fuel for myths, a backdrop for Hollywood movies and a destination for adventure seekers. The depths of Lake Wakatipu reach below sea level where native people believe a giant’s heart…