Lake Wakatipu

New Zealand Lakes Wakatipu

Lake Wakatipu is the longest lake in New Zealand, at 80 km. Queenstown lies on its shore.

Wakatipu is also the third-largest lake in New Zealand as well as being the longest in the country. It is situated in the South Island, near Queenstown, and is famous for its stunning alpine surroundings. The lake was formed by glacial processes during the last ice age, with massive glaciers carving out its deep basin.

The lake exhibits a unique rhythmic rise and fall of its water level, known as the seiche (a standing wave). The water level fluctuates by about 10 cm (4 inches) every 25 minutes, due to atmospheric pressure changes and wind patterns.

The Kawarau River drains the lake, flowing out from its sole outlet, the Frankton Arm, located 8 km (5.0 miles) east of Queenstown. The Dart and Rees rivers flow into the northern end of the lake.

The waters of Lake Wakatipu from the Queenstown gondola ropeway

Stats

Length: 80 km (50 mi)
Width: Up to 5 km (3.1 mi)
Depth: 380 m (1,247 feet) at its deepest point
Surface Area: 291 sq km (112 sq mi)
Elevation: 310 m (1,017 feet) above sea level

The lake holds great significance for the indigenous Māori people, particularly the Ngāi Tahu tribe

Maori Legend

According to a Maori legend Lake Wakatipu was formed, thus.

Matakauri was a young commoner who longed to marry the beautiful Manata, a young woman of high status, and she him. But Manata's protective father prohibited the marriage. Then, one day, Manata was abducted by a giant by the name of Matau. So, Matakauri approached Manata's father and offered to rescue her, asking if he could have her hand in marriage if he succeeded. The father assented, and Matakauri set off into the mountains on his quest.

Matakauri knew that when a warm north-west wind blew, it meant Matau was asleep. So, he waited for that wind and eventually got so close to the giant Matau that he could hear the imprisoned Manata weeping. He found her tied up, attached to the giant with a magic rope that, try as he might, he couldn't cut. Manata begged him to go in case the giant awoke and killed him. He refused and tried cutting the ropes all the harder. Manata cried all the more, but her copious tears melted the magic rope, and she was free.

The longest lake in New Zealand

Matakauri and Manata returned to her father, who gave them his blessing, and they married. However, they feared that the giant would one day come looking for her. So, again, Matau ventured into the mountains, found the sleeping giant, and set fire to the bed of bracken he was sleeping on. The giant curled up his legs in pain and was quickly overcome by the heat and smoke. His body sank deep into the earth creating a massive hole which soon filled with snow, melted by the fire, from the surrounding mountains. Only the giant's heart survived and continues to beat. So that's why the lake you see today is in the shape of someone crouching, and why its water level rhythmically rises and falls by 200 mm every 26.7 minutes (due to its seiche).

Today, Lake Wakatipu is a major tourist attraction, with Queenstown located on its shores. It is popular for activities such as boating, year-round trout fishing, jet boating, and scenic cruises, especially aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship (cruises daily). The surrounding mountains, including The Remarkables, make it a hotspot for adventure tourism and photography.