Lake Matheson
Encyclopedia
Lake Matheson, near the Fox Glacier
in South Westland, New Zealand
, is famous for its reflected views of Aoraki/Mount Cook
and Mount Tasman
. A traditional mahinga kai (food gathering place) for Māori people, the lake contains long finned eel as well as being home to many water birds.
and Aoraki/Mount Cook
, the highest peak in New Zealand, and Mount Tasman
.
(red pine) trees, as well as flax
and a variety of New Zealand fern species.
Fox Glacier
The Fox Glacier is a long glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island...
in South Westland, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, is famous for its reflected views of Aoraki/Mount Cook
Aoraki/Mount Cook
Aoraki / Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand, reaching .It lies in the Southern Alps, the mountain range which runs the length of the South Island. A popular tourist destination, it is also a favourite challenge for mountain climbers...
and Mount Tasman
Mount Tasman
Mount Tasman is New Zealand's second highest mountain, rising to a height of 3497 metres. It is located in the Southern Alps of the South Island, four kilometres to the north of its larger neighbour, Aoraki/Mount Cook...
. A traditional mahinga kai (food gathering place) for Māori people, the lake contains long finned eel as well as being home to many water birds.
Geography
Lake Matheson was formed by glaciation ca. 14,000 years ago. It is situated on the valley floor about 12 km from the current Fox GlacierFox Glacier
The Fox Glacier is a long glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island...
and Aoraki/Mount Cook
Aoraki/Mount Cook
Aoraki / Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand, reaching .It lies in the Southern Alps, the mountain range which runs the length of the South Island. A popular tourist destination, it is also a favourite challenge for mountain climbers...
, the highest peak in New Zealand, and Mount Tasman
Mount Tasman
Mount Tasman is New Zealand's second highest mountain, rising to a height of 3497 metres. It is located in the Southern Alps of the South Island, four kilometres to the north of its larger neighbour, Aoraki/Mount Cook...
.
Conservation
The area around the lake is managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and is surrounded by native kahikatea (white pine) and rimuDacrycarpus dacrydioides
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides or kahikatea is a coniferous tree endemic to New Zealand.The tree grows to a height of with a trunk exceeding in diameter, and is buttressed at the base. It is dominant in lowland forest and wetlands throughout the North and South Islands...
(red pine) trees, as well as flax
New Zealand flax
New Zealand flax describes common New Zealand perennial plants Phormium tenax and Phormium cookianum, known by the Māori names harakeke and wharariki respectively...
and a variety of New Zealand fern species.