Lake Wakatipu

Otago Queenstown, South Island

Queenstown's famous Lake Wakatipu is the third largest lake in New Zealand and is known for its interesting lightning bolt shape. Due to its shape, the water tends to rise and fall, a phenomenon that is known in Maori legend to be caused by the giant Matau's heartbeat. With the Remarkables serving as a majestic backdrop, Lake Wakatipu gets thousands of visitors looking for trout fishing, swimming, wakeboarding and waterskiing opportunities.

Today, the vintage paddlesteamer T.S.S. Earnslaw offers daily cruises while a nearby campsite lets you camp on the shores of the lake. Make Lake Wakatipu a part of your New Zealand self-drive adventure.