Lake Dunstan, Reservoir in Central Otago, New Zealand

Lake Dunstan is a reservoir in Central Otago formed by damming the Clutha River. The water body stretches for many kilometers with steep rocky banks surrounded by dry mountainous terrain.

Lake Dunstan was formed by the Clyde Dam, built from 1979 and completed in 1993, with filling in four controlled stages from April 1992. The Clutha Development Empowering Act 1982 authorised the scheme, which required buying over 2,000 hectares and relocating parts of Cromwell. Landslides at Cairnmuir delayed work, and it was the last Think Big project.

The shoreline is accessible at several points offering opportunities for fishing and boating. The best time to visit is during warmer months when weather is more stable and access to different areas improves.

The landscape around the water shows clear traces of 19th-century gold mining with old workings and relics visible along the banks. These remnants tell the story of the region's past and can be spotted by observant visitors.