Lake Manapouri
Lake Deep South Island lake supplying hydroelectric power
A deep Fiordland lake that serves as a gateway to Doubtful Sound; visitors take boat trips from Manapouri village, hike nearby alpine trails, kayak and fish amid rainforest-draped mountains.
Lake Manapouri is a large freshwater lake in Fiordland, on New Zealand’s South Island, within Fiordland National Park. It is one of the country’s deepest lakes and a major feature of the national park landscape.
Scenic boat cruises and hiking access to viewpoints around the lake are common visitor activities; the lake’s shoreline and arms are used for day trips and gateway access to nearby fiords. The lake has two long western and eastern arms and deep water that gives it a strikingly clear, dark appearance.
The lake basin is glacial in origin. In the 1960s and 1970s proposals to raise the lake level for a hydroelectric project sparked one of New Zealand’s largest conservation campaigns; the resulting development for the Manapouri Power Station used an underground station and control measures that preserved the lake’s appearance.
Lake Manapouri is located within Fiordland in southwestern South Island, near the township of Te Anau and west of the main Southland road network, inside Fiordland National Park.
- Hydroelectric scheme: The Manapouri Power Station uses water from the lake in an underground hydroelectric scheme that was a major environmental and political issue during the 1960s-70s conservation campaigns.
- Depth: Maximum depth is about 444 meters, making it one of New Zealand's deepest lakes.
How to Get to Lake Manapouri #
Manapouri village is about 20 minutes’ drive from Te Anau on State Highway 94 (the Milford Road). Te Anau is a 2-2.5 hour drive from Queenstown and roughly 2.5-3 hours from Invercargill. Regular coach services run between Queenstown and Te Anau/Manapouri during the tourist season.
Tips for Visiting Lake Manapouri #
- Use Te Anau as the staging point-book the Kepler or Doubtful Sound tours from there if exploring the Fiordland region beyond Manapouri.
- Visit the West Arm in late afternoon for the famous Manapouri power station water-tunnel views and the quietest shoreline.
- Hire a small boat to explore coves; the water is cold and mountain-clear-pack layers.
Best Time to Visit Lake Manapouri #
Summer is the most convenient window for access and activities, but shoulder seasons reward with dramatic light and quieter facilities.
Weather & Climate near Lake Manapouri #
Lake Manapouri's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 4°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1370 mm/year), wettest in May.
January
January is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).
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February
February is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm).
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March
March is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (176 mm).
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June
June is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (141 mm).
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).
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August
August is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm).
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September
September is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm).
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December
December is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).
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