This vacation getaway in NZ is the ideal location for skiing, hiking, and cycling because it is tucked away between towering mountains and the gorgeous Lake Ohau. Here is all the information you need to know before visiting this breathtaking lake in New Zealand.
1. Lake Ohau: One of the best vacations on the South Island
A lake named Lake Ohau is located in New Zealand’s South Island’s Mackenzie Basin. Lake Ohau, which is fed by the Hopkins and Dobson Rivers, lies tucked away at the base of the spectacular Southern Alps.
Besides, the tranquil Lake Ohau Village is well-liked by locals and tourists for camping and water sports in the summer and for skiing and snowboarding at the Ohau Snow Fields in the winter. It is also surrounded by snow-capped mountains and a deep blue lake. Aoraki Mt Cook is only a leisurely hour and a quarter’s drive from Lake Ohau.
2. Maori tradition about Lake Ohau
According to Ngai Tahu folklore, Lake Ohau was one of the lakes carved out by Waitaha explorer Rakaihautu using his Twhakaroria digging staff. When Rakaihautu boarded the Uruao waka at Nelson, he split his followers into two parties.
While exploring the freshwater lakes on the South Island, Rakaihautu led his company down the middle of the island. The other group was led by his son Rakihouia as they traveled through the South Island’s east coast.
As part of their yearly rituals for harvesting food, Ngai Tahu traveled to Lake Ohau. Both eels and weka were well-known for it. These were gathered and stored in preparation for the impending winter.
3. The weather at Lake Ohau
The average temperature in February, the warmest month of the year, is 15.4 °C (59.7 °F). Besides, the month of July has the lowest annual average temperature, hovering around 2.8 °C (37.0 °F). Additionally, the average monthly rainfall varies from 57mm in February to 101mm in October. In the winter months of June, July, and August, snowfall is frequent.
4. Things to do at Lake Ohau
Stargazing in the night sky
With its unobstructed clear skies and small population, the lake is also renowned for the quality of its stargazing. The Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, with a 4300 square kilometer perimeter that follows the eastern side of the lake, was established in 2012. Only eight of these exist globally.
Skiing is a must
The Lake Ohau Lodge is 9.6 kilometers up a well-formed access road from the Ohau Ski Field, situated on the lake’s western coast and is a 20-minute drive away. It is renowned for its reliable snowfall, selection of runs, and welcoming atmosphere. Besides, the skifield was built on Mount Sutton in 1953. As of 2020, it has a snow mat, a platter, and a double chairlift.
Many daring skiers walk the final 100 vertical meters to the crest to take in the vistas of the Southern Alps before skiing back down from the 1825-meter altitude reached by the 2-seater chairlift. Ohau Ski Field is also capable of creating a lot of snow.
Don’t miss fishing
Fishing for brown trout and rainbow trout is also very popular at Lake Ohau. Additionally, some small landlocked sockeye salmon can be caught. Popular fishing techniques in the lake include flying fishing, spinning from the shore, and trolling from a boat.
Well-known locations for trout fishing include the Dobson and Hopkins rivers, which feed into Lake Ohau. The gravel road that circles practically the whole eastern and western shorelines provides easy access to the lakefront. A boat can also be launched easily from several locations around the lake. With bait like shrimp and prawn, it is simple to fish the expansive weed beds near the southern end of the lake.
The Hopkins River mouth also offers excellent fishing. However, wading could be problematic due to the rough shingle. Following significant rain, this lake frequently experiences significant flooding. When this happens, Lake Ohau may be unfishable for a few weeks due to contamination.
A mountain bike
The Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail, which was approved in 2010 and has since been built, passes beside Lake Ohau.
The Alps 2 Ocean’s Stage 3 travels from Twizel to Lake Ohau Lodge. Riders travel along the canal roads on this 38 km leg to reach Lake Ohau’s edge. After that, it becomes an off-road track that follows the lake all the way to Lake Ohau Lodge. Besides, this portion has low traffic and is easy to navigate.
Starting at the Lake Ohau Lodge is Stage 4 of the Alps 2 Ocean race. A historic woolshed is located at the top of Quailburn Road after a 45 km portion of the trail travels through the lower slopes of the Ohau Range via Freehold Creek and climbs to the highest point of the Alps 2 Ocean, which is 900 meters above sea level. Mountain bikers then travel the majority of the final leg on peaceful country roads until they reach Omarama.
Walk around Lake Ohau
Tramping around Lake Ohau also offers a variety of possibilities, from short strolls like the Freehold Creek Track (6 km, 1-2 hours) to longer overnight excursions up the Hopkins and Huxley Valleys. The Hopkins Valley is home to several backcountry huts that are well worth seeing, including Monument Hut, Red Hut, Elcho Hut, and Erceg Hut.
The head of this lake is the starting point for both the North Temple and South Temple Tracks, which are both shorter day hikes. The stunning Gunsight Pass can be used to connect the two railroads. Weekend trampers can find accommodations in the South Temple Hut. The Temple Valley Circuit track offers the possibility of scenic views.
It takes two to three days to trek the 87 kilometers from Lake Tekapo to this lake, which is an easy but long part. The 26.5-kilometer East Ahuriri stage requires one to two days of walking on average. Freehold Creek is climbed, the lovely Dumb-bell Lake is passed, and the East Ahuriri River is then followed.
