Lake Pukaki. South Is. New Zealand.
S 44° 11.400 E 170° 08.400
59G E 431270 N 5106664
Lake Pukaki, a glacial lake in the Mackenzie District has a stunning view across turquoise waters to Mt Cook rising at the northern end of the lake.
Waymark Code: WMDRXP
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 02/20/2012
Views: 31
Lake Pukaki lies in the centre of the South Island in an area known as the Mackenzie Basin. Its turquoise blue colour and magnificent mountain backdrop is admired by many visitors. It is 3.5 hours drive south of Christchurch on State Highway 8.
Lake Pukaki is a glacial lake, formed when the terminal moraines of receding glaciers blocked the valley, forming the moraine-dammed lake. The lake occupies the lower end of a glaciated valley and is confined by a moraine 16,000–18,000 years old. The exceptionally clear waters are an unusual blue colour due to 'glacial flour' (powdered rock) carried into it from the glaciers above. The lake gets water from the braided Tasman River at its northern end which is fed by the Tasman and Hooker Glaciers.
The shoreline of Lake Pukaki is generally quite barren and uninhabited. Fishing in the lake is sparse except near stream inlets and outlets.
Co-ords are given for the Visitor Centre parking area at the southern end of the lake, a great place to view the lake and the mountains.
Lake Type: Glacial lake
Coordinates location: Visitor Centre and scenic lookout.
Max. Length: 20 kms.
Max. Width: 7 kms
Max. Depth: 70 metres
Surface area: 179 sq kms.
Website: [Web Link]
Parking / trail head: Not Listed
|
Visit Instructions:
To log a visit to a waymark, please post a photograph taken by you and a brief description of your visit.