Lake Mapourika

Mapourika is the largest of the West Coast glacial lakes, formed when the Franz Josef Glacier retreated and left a block of ice buried in outwash gravel that later melted out - a kettle lake. Its water is stained brown by tannins leached from the surrounding rainforest, and dark water plus shelter is what makes it one of the better reflection lakes in the country: on a windless morning the Southern Alps, including Aoraki and Tasman on a clear day, sit inverted on the surface. Around the shore is the Okarito kiwi sanctuary, home to the rowi, the rarest kiwi species with a population in the hundreds, and guided night trips run from Franz Josef. Kayaking on the lake is the standard commercial activity, usually early for the reflections. There is a DOC campsite at MacDonalds Creek and a boat ramp; the water is cold and swimming is uncommon.

What you actually see

• The reflections - the Alps inverted on still mornings.
• The tannin-dark water - stained by the surrounding rainforest.
• The rowi sanctuary - the rarest kiwi, in the forest around the lake.
• The kettle basin - a lake left by a melting block of glacier ice.

When to go

October to April, at dawn for the reflections - wind through the day usually ends them. Kiwi night trips need booking from Franz Josef.

Honest expectations

The reflection needs a windless morning, which is not most mornings on the West Coast. Sandflies here are severe. The water is very cold. Rowi are heard far more often than seen.

Nearby

Franz Josef village and glacier are south; Okarito lagoon is west on the coast.