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

Day 23-Lake Hayes,Queenstown-5/3/2024

This morning we are headed to Lake Hayes located just outside of Queenstown. Lake Hayes is often called the “Jewel of the Wakatipu Basin” because of its calm waters and stunning reflections of the surrounding mountains.  The English name, Lake Hayes, was given in the mid-19th century, likely after Donald Hay, an early European settler and explorer who farmed in the region.   

 The lake is known to Māori as Te Whaka-ata a Haki-te-kura, meaning “the reflection of Haki-te-kura”. Haki-te-kura was a legendary Kāi Tahu woman who is said to have been the first to swim across Lake Wakatipu. The name reflects the beauty and the cultural importance of the waters. The lake is surrounded by hills and vineyards, and on a still day its surface perfectly mirrors Coronet Peak and the Remarkables, creating postcard-like views. We arrived in the fall and the golden trees along the shore make it one of the most photographed places in the region.

We parked our car on the Lake Hayes Pavilion which is a popular entry for the Lake Hayes Walkway, a loop track of about 5 miles circling the lake.

Here is the map of the Lake and we walked the whole walkway circling the Lake.  We took our time to enjoy our hike and it took us about 4 hours to finish the whole loop around the Lake.

We are now starting our Hike. The track quickly opens up to expansive lake views, with the water often glassy and mirroring the mountains.

 It was around 9:30AM, no sun yet, so it was bit chilling walking around.

Pathway lined with trees.

A huge oak tree near the shore of the Lake.

The walkway alternates between open grassland, wetlands, and stands of trees, offering a mix of scenery.

Along parts of Lake Hayes’ shoreline, especially near the pavilion and the rowing club area, we noticed small boats pulled up onto the shore or tied at the water’s edge.

 The trees you are seeing are probably willows or poplars, which are common around Lake Hayes’ shoreline. In the fall, their long, arching branches turn brilliant shades of gold and yellow, and many stretch right out over the water.

Dirt path lined with trees on both sidesof the walkway.

Ducks swimming on the Lake.

We followed a zigzagging dirt path as it winds gently along the lake’s edge and through the trees.

Fall is definitely here as the leaves are turning red and gold.

The wooden bridge along the Lake Hayes Walkway adds a lovely touch of charm to the hike. It spans over a small stream that feeds into the lake, allowing water and wildlife to flow freely beneath while keeping the trail dry and easy to follow.

Crossing the bridge.  The sun is finally breaking through the clouds.

A beautiful small jetty or wooden pier on Lake Hayes.

 Jetties were originally built for boating and recreation, giving rowers, swimmers, or small fishing boats an easy way to get onto the water without muddying their shoes on the shore.

Because of Lake Hayes’ reputation as “the mirror lake,” these little piers have become iconic resting points where visitors pause to take in the perfect reflections.

How peaceful this place is.  I can imagine people sitting around the jetty in the warm month and enjoying fishing or simply looking at the calm lake,

A flower in bloom in the fall surrounded by fall leaves.

There are a lot of trees with their branches over reaching the lake. 

Panoramic view with gorgeous gold leaves next to the Lake.

The atmosphere is so serene and there are nobody here but us, so we had the Lake to ourselves.

The water is so clear that you can see every single pebbles.

Boats dockings on the shore.

Check out the reflections of the mountains, and clouds on the water.

The joy of contempling the beauty of nature.

Continuing our hike...

As we continued along the lakeshore, the scene shifts into something more dramatic and a little haunting. The giant trees, likely old willows that have stood here for decades, spread their bare, twisted branches out over the water.

Many of those limbs, stripped of leaves by the season, lean low enough to touch the lake, while others have already fallen, leaving bleached, gnarled branches half-submerged at the shoreline.

The water is crystal clear that you can see the bottom of the lake.

This area is protected and they are trying to re-plant trees.

This area is one of the most enchanting sections of the Lake Hayes Walkway. The path feels almost like a tunnel of trees, especially in autumn when the branches arch overhead.

This section shows how Lake Hayes is a blend of European heritage plantings and native New Zealand vegetation, creating a walkway that feels both cultivated and wild.

Poplars and willows form tall corridors of yellow and gold in the fall.

A tree branch that looks like a door frame. 

A tree with its branches leaning toward the Lake.

The pathway is next to the shore of the Lake,

It is so quiet that we had to stop here and enjoy the view.

 A giant willow trees arch overhead, their long branches sweeping down and almost touching the water, creating a natural tunnel. The path feels sheltered and intimate, as though the trees themselves are guiding our way forward.

To your side, the shoreline runs close, we catch glimmers of the lake between the hanging branches. The water sparkles through the green-and-gold curtain of willow leaves, and the reflections shift with every step. It’s a place where the quiet rustle of leaves, the gentle lap of water, and the filtered light combine into a scene that feels both magical and timeless.

The pathway led us to a bit of elevation and from there we had a great view of the Lake surrounded by mountains.

This area is so pretty in the fall with the golden leaves.

We continued on the pathway.

We have reached Lake Hayes Recreation Reserve is a peaceful and scenic spot, wrapping around the northern edge of the lake. As we arrived, the space opens up into a wide, grassy area with picnic tables, benches, and open lawns which is a welcoming contrast to the more shaded, tree-lined paths we walked earlier. Families and locals often come here to relax, enjoy a meal outdoors, or simply take in the wide-open views across the lake.

From the reserve, you get a sweeping panorama: the calm waters of Lake Hayes stretch out in front of us, perfectly mirroring the surrounding Remarkables mountain range and rolling hills. We were lucky to be here on a clear day as the view is simply remarkable.

Beautiful and so serene standing here at the shore of the Lake.

Great spot to sit and to enjoy the view.

From where we are standing, the huge trees with its golden leaves stretches its long branches out like an arch, perfectly framing the still waters of Lake Hayes. The autumn colors glow against the blue sky, what a beautiful picture.

Out on the water, there’s a floating square platform, a simple structure, often used for swimmers to rest in summer, or just drifting quietly as part of the lake’s charm. Beyond it, our eyes are drawn across the calm surface to the distant mountains, their rugged peaks softened by light and shadow. The reflection of both the mountains and the trees blends into the water, creating a scene that feels almost like a painting.

What a lovely spot with a magnificent view.

A small stream winds its way toward the lake, its gentle flow adding a soft, trickling sound to the quiet air.

We crossed the stream by walking over a simple wooden bridge, the kind that blends naturally with the setting, offering just enough height to watch the water slip by underneath.

We noticed rows of plants covered in what looks like paper bags.

These are protective coverings, usually placed by conservation groups or local volunteers. They’re often used to shield young native trees and shrubs from frost, harsh sun, or browsing animals until they grow strong enough on their own. It’s a little reminder that this beautiful reserve is also a living restoration project, where nature and people work together to keep the ecosystem thriving.

 The paths led us to another stream feeding into Lake Hayes, its waters weaving gently through the reserve before merging with the lake. Unlike the calm reflections on the main shoreline, this stream feels wilder, with fallen tree trunks and branches scattered across its course. Some lie half-submerged, bleached by water and time, while others jut out like natural sculptures, shaping the flow of the current.

 The sight of these dead trunks adds a rugged, almost haunting beauty. They are part of the cycle of the landscape, remnants of older trees that now provide shelter for fish, insects, and birds. The way they tangle together contrasts with the golden foliage above and the mirror-like stillness of the lake just beyond, reminding you how both life and decay are woven into the scene.

NEXT... Lake Hayes continuation