Lake Matheson (Maori: Te Ara Kairaumati) is a small glacial lake in South Westland, New Zealand, near Fox Glacier Township. It was a traditional mahinga kai (food gathering place) for the local Maori. An easy walking trail circles the lake, which is famous for its reflected views of Aoraki/ Mount Cook and Mount Tasman.
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| Lake Matheson |
Lake Matheson was formed by glaciation 14,000 years ago. It is located at the bottom of the valley, twelve kilometers from present-day Fox and Aoraki Glacier (or Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak, and Mount Tasman). The water in the lake is black and brown. The color is caused by the natural leaching of organic matter from the surrounding native forest soil. During a calm day, it is the perfect time to capture a reflection of light to create an image of Mont Cook on the surface.
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| Lake Matheson |
The area around Lake Matheson is managed as part of the Westland Tai Poutini National Park by the Department of Conservation (DOC), which maintains walking trails and access to popular lookouts around the lake. An easy-to-walk 2.6 km trail surrounds the lake, beginning and ending at the Matheson Cafe, about 5 km from Fox Glacier Township. The track crosses a suspension bridge over the Clearwater River and leads to several observation points, particularly at the far end of the lake, the "View of the Views" and Reflection Island. It takes about 1 hour and a half to return. The first 20 minutes of the walk, up to the jetty viewpoint, are navigable by wheelchair and lead to a jetty ofpontoons stretching out into the lake.