Lake Te Anau
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Lake Te Anau is in the southwestern corner of the South Island of New
Zealand. The lake covers an area of 344 km2 (133 sq mi), making it the
second-largest lake by surface area in New Zealand (after
Lake Taupo) and the
largest in the South Island. It is the largest lake in Australasia by fresh
water volume.
The main body of the lake runs north-south, and is 65 km in length. Three large
fiords form arms to the lake on its western flank: North Fiord, Middle Fiord and
South Fiord. These are the only inland fiords that New Zealand has, the other 14
are out on the coast. Several small islands lie in the entrance to Middle Fiord,
which forks partway along its length into northwest and southwest arms. The
surface of the lake is at an altitude of 210 m. It has a maximum depth of 417 m,
so much of its bed lies below sea level, with the deepest part of the lake being
226 metres below sea level.
Several rivers feed the lake, of which the most important is the Eglinton River,
which joins the lake from the east, opposite the entrance to North Fiord. The
outflow is the Waiau River, which flows south for several kilometres into
Lake Manapouri. The town of Te Anau lies at the south-eastern corner of the lake,
close to the outflow.
Most of the lake is within Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World
Heritage site, the latter of which was officially recognized internationally in
1990. Other than the Te Anau township, the only human habitation close to the
lake is the farming settlement of Te Anau Downs, close to the mouth of the
Eglinton River. Between these two settlements the land is rolling hill country,
but elsewhere the land is mountainous, especially along its western shore, where
the Kepler and Murchison Mountains rise 1,400 m above the surface of the lake.
Lake Te Anau was important for the Ngai Tahu iwi[a] in pre-European times as the
area was a traditional stopping point on their trails between the east and west
coasts of the South Island of New Zealand, where they obtained food and
resources. The lake was first discovered by European explorers Charles Naim and
William Stephen in 1852.
Two New Zealand Great Walks start at the lake. The Milford Track starts at the
northern tip of the lake and the Kepler Track starts and ends at the south tip
of the lake at the Waiau River.
Throughout summer the lake is used for boating, fishing, kayaking, swimming and
access to Fiordland National Park. The lake is home to both the Marakura Yacht
Club and the Te Anau Boating Club. Every year on the weekend of Labour Day a
fishing competition is held.
Getting There
This tourist attraction is well serviced by public transport including taxis,
buses and shuttle.
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