Lake Kaniere Lake
Forest-fringed West Coast lake on New Zealand's South Island
A lake on New Zealand's West Coast beneath rainforested slopes. Visitors kayak, trout‑fish and walk short tracks that recall the area's timber‑mill history.
Lake Kaniere at a Glance#
Address: Lake Kaniere, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand (approx. 42.83°S, 171.15°E)
Website: https://www.doc.govt.nz/ (Department of Conservation - local pages for Lake Kaniere area)
Hours: Open 24 hours (public natural area)
Admission: Free (National park / conservation area); charges apply for some facilities like boat rentals
About Lake Kaniere#
Lake Kaniere is a freshwater lake on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, set within the Kaniere Scenic Reserve. It is notable locally as a rainforest-fringed recreational lake.
The shoreline and nearby forest contain several short walking tracks, sheltered bays for kayaking and places for shore-based fishing and picnics. Camping and small holiday-park facilities sit close to the lake and provide basic visitor services.
The lake occupies a glacially carved basin and sits within coastal temperate rainforest typical of the West Coast. The surrounding reserve protects native bush and birdlife.
Lake Kaniere lies inland from the town of Hokitika, adjacent to the small settlement of Kaniere on the West Coast of the South Island. The landscape around the lake is steep, forested country rising toward the Southern Alps foothills.
- Access: Accessible by unsealed roads from the West Coast highway; popular departure points are the small settlement of Kaniere and the nearby town of Hokitika.
- Recreation: Temperate rainforest surrounds the shoreline and short walking tracks run into the adjacent scenic reserve, making the lake a common day‑trip for picnics, kayaking and shore fishing.
How to Get to Lake Kaniere#
From Hokitika: drive north on State Highway 6 for about 20 minutes; follow local signage to Lake Kaniere. The lake is accessible by car and has several small parking areas and picnic spots.
Tips for Visiting Lake Kaniere#
- Walk the Kaniere-Kokatahi Scenic Reserve trails for short, framed lakeshore views that most day visitors miss.
- Hire a kayak for a quiet lap in the late afternoon when the lake mirrors the bush-covered hills.
- Combine with a drive along State Highway 6 and a visit to the nearby Hokitika Gorge for dramatic river scenery.
Best Time to Visit Lake Kaniere#
Summer offers the best conditions for water activities; autumn provides a quieter alternative with good colors and milder weather.
Weather & Climate near Lake Kaniere#
Lake Kaniere's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 3°C to 20°C. Heavy rainfall (3322 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 12° - 19° | 16° | 271 mm | - | - | 5.3 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 12° - 20° | 16° | 170 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 11° - 19° | 15° | 289 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 8° - 17° | 12° | 310 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 6° - 14° | 8° | 275 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 4° - 12° | 5° | 176 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 3° - 11° | 5° | 166 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 4° - 12° | 5° | 181 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 5° - 13° | 6° | 312 mm | - | - | 5.7 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 7° - 14° | 11° | 433 mm | - | - | 5.7 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 9° - 16° | 12° | 356 mm | - | - | 6.8 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 11° - 18° | 14° | 383 mm | - | - | 5.7 m/s | - | - |