Three weeks in New Zealand - 4/12 - 5/4/2024

Day 23-Lake Hayes continuation, Queenstown-5/3/2024

Panoramic view of the Lake from the Reserve Park area.  The reflection on the Lake is really amazing.

Leaving the open lawns of the reserve behind, the trail begins to climb gently, leading you up a hilly path on the far side of Lake Hayes.

The change in perspective is striking, the lake no longer feels right beside you but spreads out below, a wide mirror cradled in the valley.

From the hilly path, when you look across to the other side of Lake Hayes, the scene feels completely transformed. Instead of the wild willows and quiet streams, you see a scattering of houses nestled along the shoreline and up the slopes.

We keep going up, following the edge of the mountain.

View of the other side of the lake.

Houses dot the shoreline and hillside and beyond them, the mountains tower dramatically, their peaks cutting into the sky and giving the scene a grandeur that feels expansive and commanding. That side feels more settled and panoramic.

Compare to the other of the lake one side which is wild and sheltered, this side is inhabited and vast, and walking around it lets you experience both faces of its beauty.

A look back at the path we walked to get to this side of the Lake.

This portion of the walk takes on a more rugged character. The path clings to the hillside, and you feel the elevation as the ground drops away toward the lake on your left.

From here, the water lies below like a broad, silver-blue mirror, edged with trees and reflecting the shifting sky. On your right, the mountains rise steeply, their rocky slopes and tussock-covered ridges adding a raw, untamed beauty. The trail curves and climbs, offering fresh perspectives at each turn, as though revealing hidden layers of the lake and its surroundings.

 The contrast is striking: on one side, the calm serenity of the lake, on the other, the bold presence of the mountains. Walking here feels different from the softer, tree-lined stretches you passed earlier—it’s more exposed, wilder, with sweeping views that make you feel small against the scale of the landscape.

Info panel about Lake Hayes and its surrounding are recognized nationally for their glacial features which is the product of grinding, rock-loaded rivers of ice that successfully advanced and retreated, leaving may distinctive features in their wake.

Numerous work programs are underway cleaning up Lake Hayes in Central Otago, which has been suffering for decades from the build-up of lake-bed sedimentation and declining water quality.

At this vantage point, where the trail bends and you can see the far curve of Lake Hayes, the view feels almost like a grand finale. The shoreline sweeps gracefully before you, edged with trees blazing in red and gold.

Their autumn colors of the leaves glow against the clear blue of the sky, and their reflections ripple across the lake’s surface, doubling the beauty.

In the background, the mountains rise steadily, anchoring the scene with their quiet strength. The contrast of fiery leaves, shining water, and rugged peaks creates a breathtaking panorama, one that captures the essence of Central Otago’s landscapes, vivid, dramatic, and timeless. Standing here, it feels as if the entire walk around the lake has built up to this moment of wide-open splendor, where nature’s colors and shapes all come together in perfect harmony.

The trail leads you into an open expanse, where the shelter of trees gives way to wide skies and sweeping views. All around, tall grasses sway in the breeze, their golden stalks catching the light and adding a soft texture to the landscape. Ahead, the mountains rise directly before us.

The lake feels a little farther away, and the openness makes the scene more expansive and untamed. It’s a contrast to the shaded willows, winding streams, and lakeside reflections we passed earlier. This stretch feels more like open country, where the rugged character of the land takes center stage. The combination of tall grass, big sky, and commanding mountains makes this part of the walk feel both peaceful and powerful.

From this open stretch, we spotted large houses perched along the slopes.

Many of them look like luxury lodges or boutique hotels, perfectly placed to capture the sweeping views of Lake Hayes and the surrounding mountains.

Walking through tall grasses and open space.

Beautiful foliage in the fall.

We continued along a dirt path that winds gently through golden grass, the tall stalks swaying softly around you, glowing in the sunlight. The openness gradually narrows, and soon the trail leads you into what feels like a forest gateway.

The golden fields give way to shaded greenery, with trunks rising tall on either side and branches weaving overhead.

This area is truly beautiful, felt wild and untouched scenery.

Very peaceful to walk in this area with so much openness.

Now the trail brings you onto a wooden pathway reinforced with a metal grid, designed to keep footing safe and steady as you cross through wetter ground.

 Walking here, you feel suspended slightly above nature, close enough to notice the vegetation, yet elevated just enough to preserve them.

This kind of pathway is often built to protect the fragile wetlands around Lake Hayes, allowing visitors to experience the landscape without damaging the delicate plants and soil.

 Following the wooden path.

Along the pathway, the trail leads us to a charming wooden bridge spanning a small stream that feeds into Lake Hayes.

  Its simple design blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings, the wood weathered by years of sun, rain, and footsteps. Standing on the bridge, you can hear the gentle trickle of water below.

It feels like a quiet crossing point, a place where you naturally pause to take in the scene.

Continuing our walk...

This stretch of the walk takes us onto a narrow pathway enclosed by trees. On the left we noticed rows of young trees, each carefully protected with paper bag coverings. These shelters are used to guard the saplings from frost, wind, and browsing animals, giving them the best chance to grow strong. It’s a sign of how the area is being restored and cared for, blending conservation with recreation.

 The ground is carpeted with golden leaves, scattered like a mosaic beneath the trees. The branches above are thinning, while the forest floor is completely alive with color.

Ahead, the trees begin to part, and through the gaps you glimpse the shore of Lake Hayes. T.

 The water reflects the sky and the surrounding hills, creating a contrast between the still blue surface and the fiery gold of the leaves at your feet. It feels like the landscape is gently guiding you back toward the lake, the forest slowly yielding to open water once again

The trail leads you deeper into a forested stretch, where tall trees stand close together, their trunks creating a natural colonnade.

The path itself feels more enclosed and intimate, winding gently as though following the natural rhythm of the land.

The sun is trying to break through the leaves and the trail is close to the shore of Lake Hayes.

A cluster of trees seem to lean toward the water, their roots tangled at the edge. Some of them even grow directly in the shallows, their trunks half-submerged, giving the impression that the forest and lake are merging into one.

The trees lining the path with their golden leaves catching the sun. The pathway feels almost framed by nature’s architecture with a combination of light, foliage, and open sky creates a magical atmosphere, where every step feels like walking through a living painting.

A beautiful day in fall.

The sun shining above and the Lake is next to the trail.

Perfect spot to stop and enjoy a beautiful day in the fall.

View of the lake.

Panoramic view of the Lake.

 We walked the pathway you see on the other side of the shore.

We are now really close to where we started the walk.

Dirt pathway to the entrance of the Hayes pavilion.

Gateway to the Hayes pavilion.

Panoramic view of the Lake from the bottom of the Hayes Pavilion

The Hayes pavilion and the parking lot.

 The whole loop around Lake Hayes took us about 4 hours, and walking in the fall is like stepping through a series of living paintings. The path winds through golden forests, willow tunnels, and open fields of tall grass, before rising to rugged hillsides with sweeping views of the lake and mountains. At the shore, reflections of fiery red and gold leaves dance on the water, while wooden bridges and boardwalks lead us across streams and wetlands. Each turn reveals a new scene, luxury lodges tucked into the hills, quiet groves with leaves carpeting the ground, or trees leaning into the lake itself. The mix of changing landscapes, from tranquil waters to glowing forests, makes the walk especially breathtaking in the fall.

NEXT... Dinner at Botswana Butchery