Three Lakes of Mackenzie Basin, South Island

As we left Queenstown to head towards Christchurch, we dropped in to see two of the three lakes in the  Mackenzie Basin.

"Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park", Lake Pukaiki, South Island, New Zealand.
Photo Image © Phattana Sangsawang

"Lake Pukaki Colours", Lake Pukaiki, South Island, New Zealand.
Photo Image © Nathan Kaso

Lake Pukaki is the largest of three alpine lakes in the basin. All three lakes were created when the terminal moraines of receding glaciers blocked their respective valleys, forming moraine-dammed lakes. The glacial feed to the lakes gives them a distinctive blue colour, created by glacial flour, the extremely finely ground rock particles from the glaciers.


The lake is fed at its northern end by the braided Tasman River, which has its source in the Tasman and Hooker Glaciers, close to Aoraki/Mount Cook. Good views of the mountain, 70 kilometres to the north, can be had from the southern shore of the lake.

"Sunrise@Lake Tekapo", Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand.
Photo Image © AtomicZen

Lake Tekapo is the second-largest of three lakes. Situated on the shores of Lake Tekapo is the Church of the Good Shepherd, which, in 1935, was the first church built in the Mackenzie Basin. The church is arguably one of the most photographed in New Zealand, and features an altar window that frames stunning views of the lake and mountains.

"Let There Be Light", Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand. Photo Image © Maxwell Campbell

I had often wondered why some photographers have managed to get stars in their photos within the vicinity of Lake Tekapo. Here was my answer. An astronomical observatory is located at Mount John, which is to the north of the town. 


The mountain was chosen as the best observatory site in New Zealand because of its high number of clear nights throughout the year, the stability and transparency of the atmosphere and the uniquely dark skies in the Mackenzie Basin, devoid of city light pollution.

Starry Nights @ Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand.
Photo Image © Earth and Sky Ltd

"A Master's Finest Brushwork...", Mt John University Observatory, Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand. Photo Image © Maki Yanagimachi

Lake Ohau is the smallest of the three alpine lakes. The Ohau ski field is located close to the southwestern shore of the lake. Ohau has some of the most spectacular mountain views in New Zealand.

Lake Ohau, South Island, New Zealand. Photo Image © Pome Acro