This stunning lake nestled on the West Coast near Fox Glacier is many photographer’s dream location. From Lake Matheson, you can see the stunning Southern Alps range, including Aoraki Mt Cook and Te Horokōau Mt Tasman - NZ’s two tallest mountain peaks.

The glassy reflections on the lake make it a favourite spot for photographers, and it is a beautiful nature walk through native bush too. The loop track around the lake is 4.5 km or approx 1.5 hr. I highly recommend the loop track as there are viewpoints around the whole lake - the best viewpoints being at “view of views” and “Reflection Island,” which are signposted around the lake.

Remember: Take appropriate weather gear as the weather in NZ can change rapidly, particularly on the West Coast. Be prepared for both rain and sun.

Personal tip: It is incredibly weather dependent and can be rare that you actually get views of the mountains. For the best chances, check the weather forecast and visit Lake Matheson in the early morning. Wind usually dies down around sunrise and sunset, for those calm reflections. Winter also tends to be clearer than summer. May the odds be ever in your favour! If you’re extra lucky, you may even get a visit from a friendly kea. It is not often that these alpine parrots fly down so low, but on a winter’s morning we were visited by a kea!