Lake Hāwea
A stunning glacial lake in the Otago region of the South Island.
NEW ZEALAND
As we travelled up the south island I was looking for a good spot to spend a night. I found The Camp Holiday Park and booked a stay. When we arrived we were absolutely blown away by the beauty of Lake Hāwea. Surrounded by the Southern Alps, the mirror-like reflection of the grand mountain summits in the pristine waters of Lake Hāwea filled us with wonder.
Since it was winter, taking a dip was clearly off the table. Nonetheless, we found ourselves compelled to linger for hours, simply soaking in the scenery. While we endeavored to encapsulate the vast beauty of the region through our cameras, truly grasping the sheer expanse of the mountain range and the serene allure of the lake demands a firsthand experience.
To get to Lake Hāwea we took the Crown Range road, which was very windy but offered some spectacular views of the surrounding area. In the panorama below, you can see there are six switchbacks on the left and then there is another one on the right. We highly recommend stopping at the Crown Range Road Scenic Lookout to take in the view.
No combination of words and photographs can adequately convey the sheer splendor of Hāwea and its breathtaking surroundings. You need to pack your bags and go check it out yourself. Happy exploring!
The Crown Range Road also had another unique feature which was the Cardrona Bra Fence. This initiative serves as a means to raise awareness about breast cancer and gather donations to support the cause.
