Tasman Lake

Tasman Lake is a proglacial lake at the terminus of the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park on New Zealand’s South Island. It formed in the late 20th century as the glacier retreated and now contains floating icebergs calved from the glacier front.

The lake offers close-up views of the glacier terminus and surrounding alpine peaks; commercial boat trips provide guided iceberg and glacier-face sightseeing when conditions allow. Walking tracks and park viewpoints in the Tasman Valley and near the village of Aoraki/Mount Cook give access to different outlooks over the lake and river.

The Tasman River drains the lake through a braided channel down the valley; the shape and size of the lake change over time as the glacier continues to retreat.

• Origin and evolution: The lake is a relatively recent proglacial lake that formed as the Tasman Glacier retreated during the 20th century and continues to change as the glacier recedes.
• Boat tours: Boat excursions operate on the lake to view icebergs and the glacier face; commercial operators and seasonal conditions determine availability.

What to See #

• Tasman Lake: The broad proglacial lake at the terminus of the Tasman Glacier containing floating icebergs calved from the glacier front.
• Tasman River outlet: The braided Tasman River that issues from the lake and flows down the Tasman Valley toward the Hooker River system.
• Viewpoints and tracks: Park viewpoints and walking tracks in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park that provide views of the lake, glacier terminus and surrounding peaks.