Lake Matheson

A small glacial lake called Lake Matheson can be found in South Westland, New Zealand, not far from the community of Fox Glacier. For the local Mori, it served as a traditional location to gather food. The lake, which is renowned for its mirrored vistas of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, is surrounded by an easy walking path. In addition to being surrounded by old-growth forests and famous for its waters that reflect a tea-colored light, Lake Matheson is also the location of the Clearwater Suspension Bridge, which offers visitors breathtaking views that blend aspects of the natural and man-made worlds as if they were meant to be together.

Large types of eels, which live in the lake's less-than-clear water and are frequently spotted feeding there when there is little wind and low light, such as in the morning and afternoon, are another feature that makes it well-known. There are numerous trails that lead to various vantage points with unrestricted views of the lake and the surrounding landscape, and Mount Cook and Mount Aoraki give spectacular backdrops to the lake.

The adjacent Fox Glacier Hotel began offering early-morning excursions to the lake in the 1950s; customers would be transported by bus to the current trailhead and set out on a 15-minute trek through the bush without the convenience of today's bridges and pathways. They were then transported to Reflection Island in a rowboat where they waited for the waves to calm down and the renowned view to materialize. The picture of the famous view across the lake was frequently duplicated and appeared on candy boxes, beer bottles, calendars, and mementos. One of the most photographed lakes in New Zealand right now is Lake Matheson.

Location: Fox Glacier, West Coast, South Island