Lake ManapouriAbout Lake Manapouri
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.
Nearby Attractions to Lake Manapouri
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 11° - 19° | 15° | 82 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 11° - 19° | 15° | 119 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 10° - 17° | 14° | 120 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 8° - 15° | 11° | 100 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 6° - 12° | 6° | 176 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 4° - 10° | 3° | 141 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 4° - 9° | 3° | 100 mm | - | - | 5.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 4° - 10° | 4° | 102 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 5° - 12° | 6° | 109 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 6° - 14° | 8° | 124 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 8° - 15° | 12° | 92 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 9° - 17° | 13° | 105 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
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.