Blue Pukaki River Canal Mackenzie Basin Canterbury NZ
Photo & Vacation Spot

The blue coloring of the Pukaki River or Canal in the Mackenzie Basin in Canterbury, NZ stands out amongst the barren landscape as it flows towards Lake Benmore.

While visiting the Mackenzie Basin in Canterbury, NZ, it is hard to miss the unique blue colored water which makes up the Pukaki River, also known as the Pukaki Canal. The river or canal, travels through three hydroelectric stations and control gates as its makes its way between the landscape towards Lake Benmore.

Roads travel along the Pukaki River creating beautiful scenic views of the blue colored glacier water, a tranquil road to explore. The landscape is fairly barren for miles across the Mackenzie Basin but slowly rises as the mountains decorate the backdrop.

As the river/canal reaches the flood gates, the blue water becomes white and frothy as the water gushes through, eventually calming again farther down the river.

Pukaki River (Canal) flowing towards Lake Benmore, Mackenzie Basin, Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand.