Lake Wakatipu Central Otago New Zealand
Photo & Vacation Spot

Mostly known as the lake which fringes the famous town of Queenstown in Central Otago, Lake Wakatipu plays host to many scenic vistas of mountains and forest.

The inland 'finger' shaped Lake Wakatipu, stretches for 80 kilometres making it the longest lake in New Zealand and with an area of 291 sqkm it is the third largest lake in the country.

A lake with a heart beat! Because the mountains rise suddenly from its shores, and is extremely deep in places (100 metres below sea level) there is a rhythmic rise and fall in the water level - like a tide swaying back and forth, mostly visible in Queenstown Bay. This phenomena is called a seiche.

Lake Wakatipu from near Kingston, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand.