Lake Matheson, South Westland, New Zealand.

© Mark Fitzsimons/Getty Images/iStock

Lake Matheson

Westland Tai Poutini National Park


On a good day, the famous 'mirror lake' reflects extraordinary views of distant Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman in its forest-shaded waters. The best time to visit is early morning or when the sun is low in the late afternoon, although the presence of an excellent cafe means that any time is a good time. It's extraordinary to think that this lake was carved out by the now distant Fox Glacier before it started its long retreat.

The shady, moss-lined 2.6km Lake Matheson Track circumnavigates the lake; allow 90 minutes walking at a slow pace. At the far end of the circuit you may, weather permitting, get the money shot, but failing that you can buy a postcard at the excellent gift store by the car park.

Branching off from the eastern side of the main track is the 8km-return Lake Gault Track, which gradually climbs 200m through virgin podocarp forest to another mirror lake. Allow three to five hours and expect to get wet and muddy feet.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Westland Tai Poutini National Park attractions

1. Peak Viewpoint

2.64 MILES

It's a very long way from the actual glacier, but this parking area provides a surprisingly good view over fields to Fox Glacier (weather permitting)…

2. Fox Glacier Lookout

6.15 MILES

On a clear day, this is one of the best land-based positions from which to see Fox Glacier (though its retreat may mean you see just a snippet).

3. Gillespies Beach

7.19 MILES

Follow Cook Flat Rd for its full 21km (the final 12km is narrow, winding and unsealed) to this remote beach, a ruggedly beautiful, wind-blasted length of…

4. Sentinel Rock

10.31 MILES

Survey the skies before embarking on the short, steep walk to the top of Sentinel Rock: the lookout reveals either impressive views of the glacier valley,…

5. Peters Pool

10.51 MILES

Formed by centuries of glacial meltwater, this dainty kettle lake girded by native rainforest is an easy 1km-return walk from the main glacier car park…

6. West Coast Wildlife Centre

11.54 MILES

The purpose of this feel-good attraction is breeding two of the world's rarest kiwi – the rowi and the Haast tokoeka. As well as a chance to hang out with…

7. Andris Apse Okarito Gallery

17.73 MILES

Okarito is home to world-class landscape photographer Andris Apse. His precisely composed gallery showcases his beautiful works, which are printed on-site…

8. Tasman Glacier

19.06 MILES

At 27km long and up to 4km wide, the Tasman is the largest of NZ's glaciers, but it's melting fast, losing hundreds of metres of length each year. It is…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "new-zealand/the-west-coast/fox-glacier/attractions/lake-matheson/a/poi-sig/1199566/362785",
      "destination": "Westland-Tai-Poutini-National-Park",
      "continent": "Australia-&-Pacific",
      "country": "New-Zealand",
      "region": "Westland-Tai-Poutini-National-Park",
      "position": "superzone"
    }