lake matheson

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Lake Matheson, near the Fox Glacier in South Westland, New Zealand, is famous for its reflected views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Long finned native eels thrive in the darkness of Lake Matheson, which is also home to many water birds. For this reason the lake is a traditional mahinga kai (food gathering place) for Maori people.

Lake Matheson was formed by glaciations ca. 14,000 years ago. It is situated on the valley floor about 12 km from the current Fox Glacier and Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest peak in New Zealand, and Mount Tasman.

An easy walk passes over the Clearwater River suspension bridge, just a few minutes from the car park. The Clearwater River drains off the lake and is brownish under the bridge, however it quickly becomes clear and true to its name.

The area around the lake is managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and is surrounded by native kahikatea (white pine) and rimu (red pine) trees, as well as flax and a variety of New Zealand fern species.

The pukeko, or New Zealand Swamp Hen is common bird

The track continues through ancient native forest, including tall rimu and kahikatea trees, to a pontoon that extends out onto the lake.

Lake Matheson takes its name from Murdoch Matheson who ran cattle on these Cook River Flats in the 1870s, and opened a store and butchers shop to service the mass of gold seekers

The Lake Matheson walk is part of Westland Tai Poutini National Park and Te Wahipounamu (place of greenstone) South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

South West New Zealand is one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere. It is an area where snow-capped mountains, rivers of ice, deep lakes, unbroken forests and tussok grasslands produce a landscape of exceptional beauty.

Morning dew

Dawn and dusk are often the best times to view the lake’s reflection, before the wind or clouds blur the image

The land’s highest peaks, Aoraki/Mount Cook (3754m) and Mount Tasman/Horokaou (3497m) are watching over us

Text: Internet

Pictures: Sanda Foişoreanu

Doina Grigoraş

Arangement: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Long Ago - Maori Kapa Haka groups

Maori traditional song - Haka

New Zealand