Trip Planner: South Pacific / New Zealand / South Island / Otago Region / Queenstown / Nature / Lake Wakatipu

Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown

(190+ reviews on the web)

Water Body

Occupying a crater carved by glaciers, Lake Wakatipu resembles a lightning bolt in shape. Surrounded by towering mountain ranges, the lake draws tourists looking for an adrenaline rush along nearby ski fields, paragliding spots, and bungee jumping sites. Because of its unusual shape, the lake has a strange tide that rises and falls by 10 cm (3.9 in) every 25 minutes; Maori legends link this to the heartbeat of a huge monster named Matau. The beaches here serve as popular swimming spots during the summer and the lake itself offers year-round trout fishing. For those looking just to sightsee, a vintage steamboat, the T.S.S. Earnslaw, cruises the lake every day. It couldn't be easier to arrange your visit to Lake Wakatipu and many more Queenstown attractions: make an itinerary online using Inspirock's Queenstown tourist route planner.

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Reviews

TripAdvisor

Amanda O

Frankton Holiday Park, superb views, easy access. By airport but peaceful. Free showers for Campers, very clean facilities. more »
Bartosz W

On of the most beautiful lake in New Zeland! If you want to have real lake experience after Wakatipu U have to go to see Wanaka, Hawea, Pukaki and Tekapo lakes :) more »
Christine C

Lake Wakatipu is just the most spectacular lake to gaze over, with the snow peak mountains as its backdrop its just breathtaking. The views are even more spectacular whilst we took a took of the lake ... more »

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Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown

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