Lake Ohau, in the Mackenzie Basin of the Waitaki District on the South Island, is an idyllic spot for outdoor lovers. The first thing you’ll notice when you visit is its stunning blue-green color, resulting from glacial silt carried from the surrounding mountains into the photogenic lake. Get familiar with the area in tiny Ohau Alpine Village and appreciate the grandeur of the Ben Ohau and Ohau mountain ranges in the distance.
Use Lake Ohau as a jumping-off point for adventures in the Southern Alps and central region of the South Island. Look for famous Mount Cook, visible from nearby Lake Pukaki. Make a daytrip to the area for glacier trekking or boating. Take a helicopter ride to the peak of Mount Cook, then mountain bike down. You can even ride a glider to enjoy the majestic vistas for which the lake is known.
The warmer months are full of opportunities for birdwatching, kayaking, fishing and hiking. From Lake Ohau, serious hikers often tackle the Tekapo Walkway and the trails within Ruataniwha Conservation Park and Ahuriri Conservation Park. Watch for thriving wildlife in the river valleys.
If you’re a cyclist, consider starting from Lake Ohau along the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, the country’s longest bike trail. You’ll follow a picturesque section of the trail from Ohau Weir to Lake Ohau Road.
Winter is peak season at Ohau Snow Fields, a well-known, family-friendly snow sport destination on the lake’s western shore. Its popularity results, in part, from its range of trail levels. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or superb skier, you’ll find lifts and trails sure to please. Enjoy remarkable views from the top as well as powdery snow rivaling the world’s best snow sport conditions.
Find Lake Ohau between Omarama and Twizel. The town of Ohau is just under 200 miles (320 kilometers) southwest of Christchurch and 136 miles (220 kilometers) northwest of Queenstown.
