Tasman Lake, Glacial lake in Mackenzie District, New Zealand
Tasman Lake is a glacial lake in the Mackenzie District, formed between the retreating Tasman Glacier and surrounding mountains. The water appears milky and is continuously fed by glacial melt, giving it a distinctive gray-blue hue from fine sediment particles.
Small meltwater pools on the Tasman Glacier's surface began merging in the 1970s and formed this lake by 1990 as the glacier retreated. The accelerating ice melt has continued to enlarge the lake significantly since then.
The lake's name honors Abel Janszoon Tasman, the first European explorer to reach New Zealand's shores in the 17th century. Today, it stands as a place where visitors can directly witness the ongoing effects of glacier retreat and environmental change.
The lake is best reached via a short walking trail from the parking area at the end of Tasman Valley Road. Morning or early afternoon visits offer the best light conditions and generally fewer crowds on the path.
Large chunks of ice regularly calve from the glacier face and drift across the water as icebergs. These floating ice blocks continuously reshape the lake's appearance and offer a striking reminder of the glacier's ongoing retreat.
Location: Mackenzie District
Elevation above the sea: 727 m
GPS coordinates: -43.68333,170.18333
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:03
Glaciers represent some of the most remarkable natural formations on Earth. These ice masses form over centuries through the compression of snow and move slowly through valleys and across mountain slopes. They shape landscapes from the Patagonian Andes to Arctic regions and store approximately 70 percent of the world's freshwater. The Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina covers 250 square kilometers and ranks among the few glaciers currently not retreating. The Jostedalsbreen in Norway forms the largest ice mass on mainland Europe at 487 square kilometers. The Vatnajökull in Iceland covers eight percent of the country's land area and conceals several active volcanoes beneath its ice cap. These glaciers serve science as climate archives and demonstrate through their changes the effects of rising temperatures. Many glaciers worldwide continuously lose mass, which has consequences for water supply and sea levels.
New Zealand provides photographic subjects ranging from the Southern Alps to sand beaches on both coastlines. The landscape includes thermal springs in Rotorua, glaciers like Franz Josef and Tasman, and fjords in Fiordland. Mount Cook dominates the alpine region while the Coromandel Peninsula holds beaches including Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing traverses volcanic terrain and Mount Taranaki rises above Taranaki. Coastal formations like the Moeraki Boulders, Split Apple Rock and Nugget Point demonstrate geological variety. Natural waterfalls including Purakaunui Falls and Whangarei Falls sit among native forests. Cultural sites complement the natural geography. The Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata displays the film location from the Tolkien adaptation. Larnach Castle near Dunedin represents colonial architecture. Te Puia and Wai-O-Tapu demonstrate geothermal activity with geysers and colored pools. Waitomo Caves contains glowworm caverns. Lake Tekapo offers clear night skies for stargazing. Viewpoints like Roy's Peak near Wanaka and Queenstown Hill sit above lake landscapes. Remote regions including Cape Reinga at the northern tip and Cape Palliser in the Wairarapa show different coastal environments. The Forgotten World Highway crosses historic mountain country on the North Island.
Aoraki / Mount Cook
10.4 km
Haupapa / Tasman Glacier
7.5 km
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
8.7 km
Mount Ollivier
10.6 km
Mount Tasman
13.3 km
Hooker Glacier
5.7 km
Mount Vancouver
11.4 km
Mount Sefton
11.4 km
Mueller Glacier
14.9 km
Malte-Brun
16.6 km
La Perouse
11.7 km
Chancellor Hut
20.2 km
Silberhorn
12.6 km
Mount Hicks / Saint Davids Dome
11.5 km
The Minarets
20.7 km
Mount Haast
13.8 km
Agassiz Glacier
20.1 km
Lendenfeld Peak
13.8 km
Douglas Glacier
15.8 km
Torres Peak
14.1 km
Dixon Peak
13.3 km
Hochstetter Glacier
10.3 km
Huddleston Glacier
9.6 km
The Armchair
3.5 km
Onslow Glacier
14.3 km
Rudolf Glacier
16.6 km
Welcome Flat Hut
20 km
Douglas Rock Hut
13.7 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes