Rotomairewhenua (Blue Lake)

The ethereal lake's visual clarity can exceed 80m, surprisingly close to that of distilled water. Its blue-violet and green hues contrast the rugged mountain ranges that envelop it, yet it is nestled deep in the alpine wilderness, and very few get to experience such beauty. As one of 16 picturesque lakes that make up the national park, Rotomairewhenua is well and truly a hidden gem. It can be accessed via a side trip from the Travers-Sabine Circuit, 4-7 days, where you’ll experience waterfalls, moss-covered streams and alpine rivers. For those without that much time to spare, you can turn it into a two-day round trip by taking a water taxi from the Lake Rotoroa Jetty to Sabine Hut. The Blue Lake Hut has 16 bunks to cater to overnight travellers. Please respect the people of Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō and the purity of the water in this sacred place by not washing yourselves, your clothes or your dishes in the lake. Getting there: Depending on the direction you want to travel and the time you want to spend, Blue Lake is a multi-day hike accessed from the alpine village of St Arnaud. For a short weekend trip, catch the water taxi from the Lake Rotoroa Jetty. Alternatively, longer trips can begin from Lake Rotoiti, following the Travers-Sabine circuit.