8 Stunningly Beautiful New Zealand Lakes (South Island)

New Zealand is a veritable aquatic paradise with its astonishing number of lakes. Seeing another lake for 30 minutes when traveling from Franz Josef to Wanaka along the west coast is challenging.

The lakes in New Zealand are wonderful for a variety of sports like kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, and many even have campgrounds close to them.

8 Stunningly Beautiful New Zealand Lakes (South Island)
New Zealand is a veritable aquatic paradise with its astonishing number of lakes. Seeing another lake for 30 minutes when traveling from Franz Josef to Wanaka along the west coast is challenging.

The lakes in New Zealand are wonderful for a variety of sports like kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, and many even have campgrounds close to them.

Which lakes in New Zealand should you visit? Here are eight excellent choices to get you started, but there are many more available.

Which lakes in New Zealand should you visit? Here are eight excellent choices to get you started, but there are many more available.

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo contains some of the bluest water you will ever see because it is packed with glacial water. It might even be blueder than the sky, for real! So don’t put your faith in me—I’m colorblind.

It’s an excellent place for fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding when the water is calm. You definitely don’t want to swim for too long, though, because the water is really cold. Another favorite location for long exposure photography of the night sky is the Church of the Good Shepherd, which is located right next to the lake. The night skies over Lake Tekapo are among of the clearest in the world, making for excellent stargazing.

We stayed at the Lake Tekapo RV Park very next to the water. This location, which offers a fantastic barbeque area with a view of the lake and other nice park amenities, comes highly recommended.

Lake Pukaki

Another stunningly blue glacier lake is Lake Pukaki. It is situated along the road leading north from Twizel to Mount Cook, some 50 kilometers west of Lake Tekapo. On your journey to the Hooker Valley Track in Mount Cook National Park, you will pass Lake Pukaki.

Some of the South Island of New Zealand’s best Mount Cook vistas may be found on the road that follows the lake’s edge. A handful of my favorite locations for photo stops are highlighted on my Explore New Zealand map.

The Mount Cook campground near the beginning of the Hooker Valley Track is the ideal location for accommodations near Lake Pukaki. The only amenities are a camp kitchen, drinking water, and restrooms. Be ready to go several days without taking a shower.

Lake Wanaka

In fact, Lake Wanaka is about 50 kilometers long and is the fifth-largest lake in New Zealand. Once you pass through the Haast Pass and cross the mountains, you’ll see just how large Lake Wanaka actually is. You nearly get the impression that you are looking down at the sea.

At the southernmost point of the lake is the well-known town of Wanaka. We took a break here to go hiking for a few days in the neighborhood. The most well-known paths are Roy’s Peak and Rob Roy’s Glacier, but there are several others nearby.

If you prefer to relax, there are several wonderful lakeside restaurants and taverns to choose from. The bar/restaurant Kai Whakapai is one of my favorite spots in town since they have some incredible local artisan beers on tap.

You may stroll to Lake Wanaka from the Wanaka Lakeview Campervan Park if you want to stay close to the town. You must travel farther outside of town to Glendhu Motor Camp, where there are fantastic camping spaces, if you want to stay right by the water. We spent two nights in each place.

Lake Hawea

Another of New Zealand’s largest lakes, Lake Hawea is more than 40 kilometers long. The Neck is a picturesque overlook that is worth visiting. Verify the position on my map of New Zealand lakes. The distance between Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka is now less than 2 kilometers.

On your way to Wanaka, you will pass Lake Hawea. Given that Wanaka is a fantastic town, I advise staying there. Visit the parks for campers listed above.

Lake Wakatipu

You cannot visit Queenstown and fail to see Lake Wakatipu. The third-largest lake in New Zealand is nearly constructed into the center of the town! In New Zealand’s South Island, there are several cafes and restaurants along the lake, which is perfect for a relaxed day.

Take the Skyline Gondola to the top of the mountain for the best Lake Wakatipu views. At the peak, there is a breathtaking overlook with a panorama of the lake and The Remarkables mountain range. The best time to go is an hour before sunset since the mountain is lit up beautifully and looks just stunning on Instagram.

At the Queenstown Lakeview Campervan Park, we stayed three nights. As the name implies, at the top of the mountain, you will have a good view of the lake. Though slightly more expensive than other New Zealand campervan parks, remember that Queenstown is where you are staying.

Lake Lyndon

Lake Lyndon is located at an altitude of 841 meters, high in the Alps. It is situated close to the road connecting Arthur’s Pass and Christchurch. If you are traveling in this direction, you should stop at this small yet serene lake.

At the parking lot by the lake, there is a free campsite. Expect to live a little bit rough since facilities are only allowed to have one toilet. In traveling from Christchurch on the east coast to Hokitika on the west coast, the Lake Lyndon campground is a fantastic pit stop.

Winters near Lake Lyndon can be very chilly. Bring some quality cold clothing with you! We should have probably brought a little bit more.

Lake Ianthe

Around 80 kilometers to the north of Franz Josef is Lake Ianthe. As you travel along the Harihari Highway from Hokitika to the south of New Zealand’s South Island, you will pass this.

This is one of my favorite lakes in New Zealand, despite its small size. It’s a nice place to go swimming or kayaking around the lake. In most cases, you may rent kayaks near the lake, or you can plan a lake kayaking trip from Franz Josef.

The descent to Franz Josef appears to be lake paradise. You will pass Lake Rotokino, Lake Wahapo, and Lake Mapourika over the ensuing 80 kilometers. Each lake has its own free camping, albeit some of them require you to venture off the road and some are only accessible by 4WD.

Lake Gunn

the greatest is saved for last. I would rank Lake Gunn as the best lake in New Zealand. On the Milford Sound Road, about 100 kilometers north of Te Anau, sits the Fiordland National Park, where this incredibly serene lake is located.

Check the location on my map of New Zealand lakes at the beginning of this piece because Lake Gunn won’t be visible from the main road.

Around Lake Gunn, there is a small walking path, and near the lake’s northern end, there is a day-use picnic spot. After visiting Milford Sound, it’s a fantastic place to stop for lunch.

It is not permitted to camp at Lake Gunn itself. I advise going further down the road toward Milford Sound to the Cascade Creek Campsite. It is one of the biggest campsites around and is simple for campervans to get to.