Lake HāweaLake Hāwea at a Glance
About Lake Hāwea
Lake Hāwea is a glacial lake in New Zealand’s South Island, located in the Otago region. It lies close to the town of Hāwea and near the tourist centre of Wanaka.
The lake’s shoreline and surrounding hills provide opportunities for walking, fishing, kayaking and scenic viewpoints. Roads from Wanaka give relatively direct access for day trips and seasonal recreation.
Lake Hāwea occupies a valley carved by glaciers during the last ice age; human settlement in the area developed around pastoral farming and later tourism. The lake and its immediate basin have been used for recreation and local water use.
The lake sits in inland Otago in the Southern Alps foothills, northeast of the town of Wanaka. The surrounding landscape includes steep hills, river outlets and alpine-influenced scenery.
- Accessible from Wanaka: A glacially formed lake set close to the township of Hāwea and near the larger tourist centre of Wanaka, making it accessible for day trips.
Best Time to Visit Lake Hāwea
Summer offers the best weather for lakeside recreation; shoulder seasons are quieter and still attract hikers and photographers.
Weather & Climate near Lake Hāwea
Lake Hāwea's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 1°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (802 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 11° - 20° | 15° | 57 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 11° - 21° | 16° | 44 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 9° - 19° | 14° | 71 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 7° - 16° | 11° | 58 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 4° - 12° | 6° | 86 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 2° - 9° | 3° | 76 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 1° - 9° | 3° | 66 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 2° - 10° | 4° | 83 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 4° - 12° | 6° | 74 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 6° - 14° | 8° | 71 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 7° - 16° | 12° | 60 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 9° - 19° | 14° | 56 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Lake Hāwea
Drive: From Wanaka, take State Highway 84 northeast toward the Lake Hāwea township (about 15-20 minutes). The lake is near the main highway linking Wanaka to the Lindis Pass and is best explored by car.
Tips for Visiting Lake Hāwea
- Rent a kayak from Wanaka or nearby rental shops for close-in exploration-be mindful of alpine winds that can rise quickly.
- Visit the lake's lookout points (Blue Pools and the Hāwea viewpoint) for different perspectives.
- Combine Hāwea with a drive to nearby Wanaka and Mount Aspiring National Park for hiking options.