Lake Whakatipu/Wakatipu

Lake Whakatipu is the second largest of the southern glacial lakes. Lake Whakatipu is 75.2 km long and up to 5 km wide, and covers an area of 289 km².

The lake is 310 m above sea level, is up to 380 m deep, and occupies a single elongated glacial trench which has a gently sloping flat floor. The Dart and Rees Rivers flow into the northern end. The lake then runs south for 30 km before turning abruptly to the east. Twenty kilometres further along, it turns sharply to the south, reaching its southern end 30 km further south, near Kingston.

The lake is drained by the Kawarau River, which flows out from the lake's Frankton Arm, 8 km east of Queenstown. At the foot of the lake is a natural dam of moraine. lake Wakatipu can currently be classified as being in an oligotrophic state. A water body’s trophic state is largely determined by nutrient inputs from the surrounding catchment. The major inputs into Lake Whakatipu are the Dart and Rees Rivers, both of which have glacial origins and high-water quality. The immediate catchment is likely to contribute some nutrient input into the lake, especially around the township of Queenstown. Horne Creek is likely to contribute contaminants to Queenstown Bay from its agricultural, urban and industrial catchment. Lake Wakatipu is renowned for its scenic beauty, being surrounded by mountains. The Remarkables mountain range lies along its southeastern edge.

It is a popular venue for adventure tourism, with skifields, paragliding, bungy jumping and tramping tracks within easy reach.