Kayaking

Diamond Lake • Dredge Lake • Green Lake • Lake Adelaide • Lake Hauroko • Lake McKerrow • Lake Manapouri • Lake Monowai • Lake Te Anau • Lake Wakatipu • West Coast

It's 2022 and time to ban noisy polluting petrol engines from the smaller New Zealand lakes. Battery powered engines are adequate for those fishing, and those who wish to zoom around at high speed can go elsewhere.

Click on thumbnail to view a larger version. Starred photos are to viewed full screen.

Be wary of all the bigger lakes --- they can get very rough very quickly, and they are cold (10C).

Diamond Lake and Creek (head of Wakatipu)

It is possible to kayak from the parking spot at Diamond Lake (off the Glenorchy - Paradise road) to the parking spot at Diamond Creek (off the Glenorchy - Kinloch road).


Diamond Lake	Diamond Creek	Diamond Creek

Dredge Lake (formerly Dredge Flat) in the Dart valley.

It is possible to kayak on the lake formed in the Dart by the slip in January 2014.


Dredge Lake	Dredge Lake	Dredge Lake

Green Lake.


Green Lake	Green Lake	Green Lake	Green Lake	Green Lake

Lake Adelaide (Moraine Creek)


Sabre	North	North	Cliffs	Cliffs

Lake Hauroko

The photos were taken on a trip to Teal Bay to climb to the Hump Ridge (see hr).


Teal Bay	Sunrise	Fog	Sun	Fog and sun

Lake McKerrow (Hollyford)


Lake McKerrow	Lake McKerrow	Demon Trail Hut	Lake McKerrow

Lake Manapouri

The Monument (466m) is a magnificent viewpoint, reached in 2 hours from Pearl Harbour by kayak plus 1 hour on a good track.


The Monument	Beach	Track	North	Beach

Hope Arm	Titiroa	Point	Beehive	Mahara Island

The photos below were taken on a trip from Supply Bay to Hope Arm to climb Mount Titiroa (see mt).


Beach	Mahara Island	Hope Arm

Lake Monowai

The photos were taken on a trip to Rodger Inlet to climb to P1315,


P1315	Rodger Inlet	Hut	At Rodger Inlet

Lake Te Anau

The photos were taken on a trip from near the Control Gates to climb Mount Luxmore kt and to walk the Hidden Lakes track to P454. From East Cove to P454 takes about 3 hours return, plus time for side trips. The track is generally well marked, but appears neglected, both by trampers and by DOC.


East Cove	Hidden Lake	Near boat dock	Hidden Lake	South Arm	View point

Dome Island	Point	Dock Bay

Lake Wakatipu

Near Wilson Bay


Wilson Bay	Rata	Rata	West	P385	Earnslaw

Near Bobs Cove


P487	At Bobs Cove	At Bobs Cove	Picnic Point	Another Point

Pigeon Island

Photos taken on a trip by kayak from Twenty Five Mile Creek on the Queenstown-Glenorchy road to Pigeon Island, and then by foot on the loop track on Pigeon Island (15km by kayak; 5km walking).


Pig Island	Pig Island	Top	Earnslaw	Pig Island

Pigeon Island	Pig Island	Lake head	From 25 mile	Lake head


25 Mile Creek*	Pigeon Island*

Pigeon Island to the Head of Lake Wakatipu


Head	Blanket Bay

West Coast

Okarito Lagoon and Wetland

By following posts and signs, it is possible to kayak into the Okarito wetland following the Tidal Creek (first photos) or the Okarito River (second photos). See Doc's "Okarito Lagoon Kayak Trail".


Okarito	Okarito	Okarito	Okarito


Okarito	Okarito	Okarito

Lake Mapourika

This is the largest of the West Coast lakes. It is a few kilometres north of Franz Josef.


Lake Mapourika	Lake Mapourika	Lake Mapourika	Lake Mapourika


Lake Mapourika	Lake Mapourika	Lake Mapourika	Lake Mapourika

Lake Paringa


Lake Paringa	Lake Paringa

Lake Moeraki

It is possible to paddle from Boulder Creek above Lake Moeraki to the ocean. The photos were taken from the Lake Moeraki outlet, not far from the lake.


Lake Moeraki	Lake Moeraki

Lake Ellery

It is possible to kayak to Lake Ellery from the Jackson River road.


Lake Ellery	Lake Ellery	Lake Ellery	Lake Ellery	Lake Ellery