Summer is on its way, and that means picnics, swimming and scenic walks at some of our finest lakes.
Lake Dunstan
An hour’s drive from Queenstown, Lake Dunstan is the perfect place to enjoy the best of Central Otago, including its renowned pinot noir wines. The Cromwell Heritage Precinct, on the lake’s edge, keeps the town’s gold-mining history alive with heritage buildings and handcrafted industry.
Nearby Cromwell Holiday Park is ideally located for motorhomes.
Visit centralotagonz.com for more information.
Lake Tarawera
Just 20 minutes from Rotorua, Lake Tarawera is the largest of the lakes that surround Mt Tarawera, and one of the biggest in New Zealand. It’s a favourite spot for fishing, boating and walking. The Tarawera Trail, predicted to become one of the best walks in New Zealand, starts from the official carpark, 400 metres before the Buried Village. It runs mainly lake-edge for 15km to Hot Water Beach, making this geothermal beach accessible for walkers and hikers. Highlights include waterfalls, streams, and native forest.
The Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park is 10 minutes’ drive (and right across the road from another beautiful lake!).
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo is recognised as an International Dark Sky Reserve, which means it’s one of the best places in the world for stargazing. Just three hours from Christchurch, it’s also a daytime playground with an ice-skating rink on its turquoise shores from April to September, winter snow tubes, a water slide in summer, and hot alpine tubs and pools.
The Lake Tekapo Holiday Park has a great range of powered and unpowered sites, as well as glamping tents and cabins.
Kai Iwi Lakes
Half an hour north of Dargaville, the Kai Iwi lakes are part of the Taharoa Domain recreational reserve. In summer, this idyllic spot is popular with swimmers, waterskiers, kayakers and boaties. Bring your bikes and cycle around the perimeter, or pack some snacks and take advantage of the extensive walking tracks in the reserve.
There are two campsites to choose from, Pine Beach and Promenade Point, each offering powered sites and great facilities. Visit kaiiwicamp.nz for more information.
Mavora Lakes
Set in the wild landscape of Southland’s jagged mountain peaks and tussock grassland slopes, Mavora Lakes are not only recognisable as a location for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but also as a place for boating, mountain-biking, fishing, camping and tramping. Embark on a day walk or, if you’re feeling fit, try the four-day trek along the Mavora-Greenstone Walkway.
DOC’s Mavora Lakes Campsite is a lovely spot to stay.
Lake Gunn
Although Milford Sound gets all the attention, Fiordland National Park has some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country. An hour from Te Anau, the Lake Gunn Nature Walk takes in moss-covered beech forests and towering lakeside mountains. There are also short sidetracks to swimming and fishing spots.
The DOC Cascade Creek Campsite offers unpowered sites.
Lake Rotopounamu
Taupō’s famous lake is well-known and frequented by tourists, but there is another smaller lake nearby that’s worth a visit too. A short drive south of Lake Taupō, Lake Rotopounamu is named for the green shimmer on the water on sunny days – roto (lake), and pounamu (greenstone). A relaxing 5km walk encircles the lake, taking you through conservation forest alive with the chatter of tūī and bellbirds. Along the way are two small beaches, and a larger one.
For a nice spot to stay, try Turangi Holiday Park, 10 minutes’ drive away.
Lake Hāwea
Lake Hāwea is a short drive from Wānaka in the South Island, yet is often overlooked as a destination. But its accessibility and spectacular backdrops are just a few reasons to put this lake on your list. The trout-filled, gin-clear waters are a fisherman’s paradise. There’s also kayaking, kitesurfing and boating for the adventurous, not to mention swimming and stand-up paddleboarding.
For nearby camping, check out The Camp.
