Trip Planner:   South Pacific  /  New Zealand  /  South Island  /  Canterbury Region  /  Lake Pukaki

Lake Pukaki, Canterbury Region

4.8
#3 of 34 in Nature in Canterbury Region
Water Body · Nature / Park
Resting within a glacial valley ringed with mountains, Lake Pukaki ranks as one of the region's largest alpine bodies of water. Explore its rocky surroundings on foot or by bike using the network of nearby trails, or take to a kayak and enjoy the view from the water. You may recognize the lake as the real-life setting of Lake-town from "The Hobbit" films. While visiting, you'll notice its brilliant, light blue coloration, the result of tiny particles of rock crushed and deposited by the glacier itself. Keep an eye out on clear days, as you might catch a glimpse of the nearby Mount Cook rising distantly in the north. Make your Pukaki itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.
Create an itinerary including Lake Pukaki
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Tours to Lake Pukaki

FROM $145 BOOK WITH VIATOR Mt Cook Small Group Tour from Queenstown
4.9
Duration: 12 hours
Tours from $145 »
FROM $1,530 BOOK WITH VIATOR 5-Day South Island Tour from Christchurch
4.5
Duration: 5 days
Tours from $1,530 »
FROM $281 BOOK WITH VIATOR Explore Mount Cook from Christchurch
4.3
Duration: 12 hours
Tours from $281 »

Lake Pukaki reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 5.0
736 reviews
Google
4.8
TripAdvisor
  • By O3946EE
    Beautiful views, worth stopping along the road to Mt. Cook. Each day can be different in the colors of the water and on a sunny day the turquoise color is amazing!  more »
  • By Rantinrover
    I'm sure had we been able to complete our itinerary, which included a couple of nights at Mount Cook Village, we would have seen a lot more of Lake Pukaki. However in April 2020 with Covid-19...  more »
See more on TripAdvisor »
Google
  • By Ashu Kedia
    Fantabulous place to be at. Stunning views. Crystal clear water. Very picturesque place. The place could be more enjoyable if there can be some camping sites around it.
  • By Nathan Patry
    Another great freedom camping spot. Like all freedom camping get there between 4 - 6pm and you will get a good spot
See more on Google »

Plan your trip to Pukaki

  • Get a personalized trip
    A complete day by day itinerary
    based on your preferences
  • Customize it
    Refine your trip. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules
  • Book it
    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off
  • Manage it
    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Popular things to do in Pukaki

New Zealand Alpine Lavender Farm
Farm
New Zealand Alpine Lavender Farm
4.2
Duration: 30 minutes
Tahr Sculpture
Monument
Tahr Sculpture
2.7
Duration: 30 minutes

Side trips from Pukaki

Landsborough River ©
Water Body
Landsborough River
South Island
4.5
Duration: 2 hours

Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Trips to Lake Pukaki by other users

33 days in New Zealand & Perth BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM Queenstown · Wanaka · Franz Josef 17 days in Sydney & New Zealand BY A USER FROM INDONESIA Sydney · Christchurch · Lake Tekapo 13 days in South Island BY A USER FROM MALAYSIA Queenstown · Wanaka · Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) 40 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Auckland · Whangarei · Waiheke Island 3 days in Lake Tekapo & Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND Lake Tekapo · Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) 3 days in Omarama BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Omarama