Travel Guide of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand by Influencers and Travelers

Lake Wakatipu is an inland lake in the South Island of New Zealand. It is in the southwest corner of the Otago region, near its boundary with Southland. Lake Wakatipu comes from the original Māori word Whakatipu wai-māori. With a length of 80 kilometres, it is New Zealand's longest lake, and, at 291 km², its third largest. The lake is also very deep, its floor being below sea level, with a maximum depth of 380 metres. It is at an altitude of 310 metres, towards the southern end of the Southern Alps. The general topography is a reversed "N" shape or "dog leg".

Pictures and Stories of Lake Wakatipu from Influencers

12 pictures of Lake Wakatipu from Phil Botha, Stephen Crowley, Grahame Jenkins and other travelers

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New Zealand - Lake Wakatipu - Ready for the adventure 

A key attraction in Queenstown, on New Zealand's South Island,
Lake Wakatipu attracts thrill-seekers as much as it fascinates those curious about Maori legends.

Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand refers to the elven kingdom of Loth in the trilogy film Lord of the Rings by Peter Jackson. 
It is one of the main attractions of Queenstown. 

This lake, sacred to the Maoris, stretches for more than 80 km, forming a giant step according to the legend.
It is also one of the deepest lakes in New Zealand, dropping in places to 400 m.

Lake Wakatipu: close to Queenstown in the south region of Otago 

Lake Wakatipu is glacial as it is fed by melting glaciers. 
A steamboat cruise on its intensely blue waters is a must, offering magnificent views.

The lake is fed by several rivers, the most important of which is the Dart River (60 km to the north).
Major towns/cities on the lake (from north to south): Glenorchy, Creighton, Queenstown, Kingston.

It is surrounded by remarkable mountain ranges, famous for adventure tourism, skydiving, paragliding, bungee jumping, skiing, and hiking.
The lakes of New Zealand are particularly beautiful because the country cares a lot about its environment and therefore has little pollution.

Wakatipu is a glacial lake bordered by beautiful hills, surveyed every day by beautiful steamers, as well as by tourists in search of thrills. 
Lake Wakatipu is a sacred place for the Maoris who see in it the footprint of a giant step, now flooded.

Queenstown travel guide to Glenorchy: The perfect road trip 

 
The 46 km drive to Glenorchy takes you first along the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Wakatipu and then through Paradise, an array of splendid New Zealand Alpine scenery.
You will be transported by the spectacle of the mountains which are profiled with the horizon and of their reflection in calm water.
 





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Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Lake Wakatipu

How clean is Wakatipu Lake in New Zealand?

The water quality of Lake Wakatipu is excellent.

Since sampling of the water at this site began in 2018, it has been swimmable 94% of the time .

What is special about Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand ?

This lake is one of the longest lakes in New Zealand at over 80 kilometers long.
It is also classified as the third largest lake in New Zealand with 291 km square 
The surface of the lake is 310 m above sea level.
The lake Wakatipu can reach 380 meters in depth at its deepest point,

Is Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand a volcano?

It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world with major eruptions in 1895, 1945, 1995, 1996 and 2006.
The distinctive lightning shape of the lake stands out among the mountains including Mount Earnslaw at 2819 meters in the southwest corner of the Otago region.

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