Deep Cove

Deep Cove is a cove on the western side of Fiordland National Park that extends about four kilometers inland, lined with numerous waterfalls and dense native vegetation. The waters show a distinctive layering where freshwater from heavy rain sits above the saltwater below.

The cove was integrated into the Manapouri hydropower scheme in the 1960s when a tunnel was built to transfer water between lakes. This transformation made it a working location rather than just a remote natural area.

The place carries the Maori name Taipaririki, reflecting indigenous ties to this waterway. Local stories and the way people connect with this remote landscape speak to its meaning beyond what visitors first see.

The location is reachable only by boat across Lake Manapouri followed by road transport over high terrain, as no direct access exists. Visitors should prepare for changeable weather and allow plenty of time for the journey.

The area receives over seven meters of rain yearly, making it one of New Zealand's wettest regions. These extreme conditions create a distinctive freshwater-saltwater ecosystem that researchers closely study.