Top five high-country lakes

Pat Barrett highlights some of Canterbury's most beautiful high-country lakes, all within an easy drive of Christchurch.

High five 

With more than 20 lakes accessible by vehicle, many within a 90-minute drive of the city or a major town, there are lots of options for a day trip or weekend escape. 

Winter is an ideal season for lakeside walking or picnicking. It's a time when grand vistas are on offer, wind disturbance is less, and the magnificence of the landscape is enhanced by a snowy backdrop. I've chosen five favourite lakes here, but there are plenty more out there in the high country.

LAKE OHAU

In any season, Lake Ohau is great to visit before or after a tramp in the nearby hills.

Lake Ohau is the smallest of the trio of great lakes associated with the Mackenzie Basin (the others are Tekapo and Pukaki). However, it is arguably the most beautiful, with the main body of the lake curving into a large scenic cove at its southern end.

The lake's modest size makes it more friendly and accessible for outdoor activities, unlike the giant bowls of Pukaki and Tekapo to the northeast.

Boating, canoeing, and fishing are popular here, but beware of the nor-west gales that funnel from the Hopkins and Dobson valleys at the lake head, whipping the placid waters into a maelstrom in moments.

The usual access to the lakeshore is via the Lake Ohau Road, which runs off State Highway 8, south of Twizel, and reaches the lake's western shore campsites and lake head. The eastern shore is accessed via Glen Lyon Rd in Twizel.

LAKE LYNDON

Nestled in a narrow gully between the Torlesse and Craigieburn ranges on the western side of Porters Pass and the busy highway to Arthur's Pass, Lake Lyndon is often overlooked as a destination.

However, in winter, or on a long summer's evening, the lake has beauty and tranquil charm, especially when viewed from its south-eastern shore, via the Lyndon Rd.

For fishing at a mountain lake, Lake Lyndon is the most accessible of all; after just an hour's drive from Christchurch, one can be on shore ready for that first cast.

The lake's western shore requires a little more walking over stony beaches to some relatively remote coves from where there are excellent views of the Torlesse peaks.

The Lyndon Rd continues south and west from the lake, through the Acheron Valley to Lake Coleridge, but beware, this gravel road is often closed by snow in the winter months.

LAKE COLERIDGE

Shaped like a sunken submarine - 18 kilometres long and narrow, with crumpled ends - Lake Coleridge has a fearsome reputation for sinking boats.

The nature of the surrounding terrain should give some warning as it funnels the dreaded nor-wester from the Main Divide down the Wilberforce Valley to unleash its gales on the lake.

Boaties should always keep an eye on the lake head, where the telltale white caps begin to form, often giving just a few moments of warning to head ashore before the wind strikes.

The lake has many placid moods also, such as that of an early winter's morning, when not a sound can be heard within the lake basin and there are views of distant summits and hidden valleys. A day spent here in such conditions will convince the most sceptical that this lake is worth its top-five listing.

Public access is limited to three points only: the Coleridge Intake Rd on the southern shore, Ryton Basin off Harper Rd on the north-eastern side, and the northern lake head, also off Harper Rd.  

LAKE HERON

Modest Lake Heron is something of a neglected treasure .

Only 6.5 km long, with two arms extending into the nearby valleys, it is a major wildlife reserve.

A mention of Lake Heron will bring a blank response from many, mostly because it is hidden between the Taylor and Arrowsmith ranges of central Canterbury. Its setting is remarkable though, its clear waters reflecting the mighty ranges with intense clarity.

Although public access is limited to a 2km road section on the lake's western shoreline, there are many walking tracks along the southern shore through the Hakatere Conservation Park.

Crested grebes, endangered native diving birds, are common here, as are ducks, swans and wading birds. Fishing is allowed in season, but powerboats are banned.

The lake's northern end is dominated by Mt Sugarloaf, its sides rising 500m from shore to summit with uniform steepness. To the west lie the mighty Arrowsmiths - a rank of glaciated 2500m summits, remote from the alps, giving closure to the western rim of the basin.     

LAKE SARAH

Pear-shaped Lake Sarah is the smallest, and one of the least visible, of the lakes along the route of State Highway 73, the Arthur's Pass highway.

Its larger neighbours, Grasmere, Pearson and Lyndon, are visited more often. Yet, Sarah has a special feature - it boasts perhaps the best reflection to be found along this corridor of lakes. It is visible only once you have driven or walked along its southern fringe to the wetland on the south-eastern shore.

Take a moment to don boots here and wander the swampy shore to secure the best vantage. The view of nearby Arthur's Pass National Park and the Black Range is well worth the wet boots and cold feet.

Lake Sarah, also a wildlife refuge, measures just 750m by 500m. It is accessed by road 2km along the Craigieburn Rd, immediately south of Cass Village.