Tasman Lake

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