"LAKE OHAU" Lake Ohau by kiwi

Lake Ohau Travel Guide: 19 reviews and 35 photos

Get aloft for the best views! - Lake Ohau

Ohau - Place of Hau; Place of wind.
Lake Ohau is a fun adventure full place to visit. Located in the area known as the MacKenzie Basin, this is a must see. En route from Christchurch to Queenstown on Highway 8, Lake Ohau is near Twizel. Created by glacial retreat, the lake is 60km2.
Some activities you can take part in here are trout fishing, skiing, gliding, mountain biking, sailing and climbing, trekking and hiking. The best way to see this area is by air. You can arrange flights from Tekapo. For gliding you must go to Omarama airfield to the South of Ohau.

LAKE OHAU LODGE

Looking over Lake Ohau.

Here is the view from the verandah of Lake Ohau Lodge. This place is popular with skiers and the family owners of the Lodge also own and operate the boutique skifield nearby. NZ's smallest but by no means insignificant skifield.
This is indeed a unique and special place.
"OHAU: Where time flies like an arrow and fruit flies like a banana."
This quote was so memorable and maybe not at all understandable, that they printed it on the sweatshirts sold at the Lodge.

TEMPLE FOREST

Temple Forest trees.

Temple Forest is situated at the north end of Lake Ohau. It is a predominently Beech forest and the trees are very old for this part of the world. You need to drive past the head of the lake and the picnic area is signposted. There is a carpark and a shelter hut at the entrance to the track. Be sure to write your intentions in the book before you head into the forest. Remember here the weather can change in a very short time and without notice. The weather can be extreme here at any time of year and be prepared for all conditions.

Pros and Cons

Pros:The scenery is stunning, the skiing divine and the Lake is gorgeous.
Cons:The weather conditions can change very quickly and this is an isolated location.
In a nutshell:From the mountains to the sky, you can reach them all.

Last visit to Lake Ohau: Jan 1999
Intro Updated Sep 20, 2004
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Reviews (8)

It looks easy, but.... Tourist Traps (1)

The river is mean and dangerous. It looks small and insignificant, however it is fast and wild! And these rivers can... more travel advice

Remember you are miles from anyone!! Sports & Outdoors (1)

When hiking in Temple Forest, near Lake Ohau, be sure to rest as you go and conserve your energy for the possibility of... more travel advice

Sheep and dogs and shepherds and horses! - Lake Ohau

No road rules here! Warnings Or Dangers (1)

Take care on the roads down here. The animals, mostly sheep, have priority. more travel advice

It's Isolated but worth the effort to... Transportation (1)

You really do need a car to get to Lake Ohau. With a car you can drive around the secluded roads and explore the little... more travel advice

Favorites (2)
See All Merino sheep.
Local Customs (1)
Local sheep stations.

Hotels (1)
LAKE OHAU LODGE
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Travelogues (1)

Written Sep 26, 2002

3 photos

Some more pictures around Ohau.

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Comments (12)

TheWanderingCamel Sep 11, 2007 at 9:17 PM Report Abuse

Looks like a good place to detour to as we travel back to Christchurch from Wanaka next year - we're always loking out for somewhere new as well as revi8siting old favourites. Cheers - leyle
DONBURGESS Nov 2, 2004 at 2:21 AM Report Abuse

Hi there Kiwi Would have been nice to hook up when i was over there maybe next time i'm there Don
Nemorino Oct 12, 2004 at 2:30 AM Report Abuse

What a lovely bunch of exotic places you've got down there!
seamandrew Nov 23, 2003 at 1:46 PM Report Abuse

This will have to be added to our places to visit list for our trip to New Zealand in 2005. It is the type of place I can see myself spending a lifetime in!
storyin Aug 11, 2003 at 7:09 PM Report Abuse

I remember those beautiful lakes in NZ .... thank you ...
jide08 May 15, 2003 at 3:16 AM Report Abuse

The same light blue colour for the lake and greyish brown for the mountain that reminds me of my trip to the south island a few years ago.
lenoreva Apr 12, 2003 at 6:14 AM Report Abuse

very nice off-the-beaten path place - I will keep it mind.
Kristina1701 Mar 31, 2003 at 4:27 AM Report Abuse

interesting page
tessy Mar 29, 2003 at 2:14 PM Report Abuse

Fantastic pics and tips! Like the road rules! Having priority without a driving license!
craic Mar 2, 2003 at 5:37 AM Report Abuse

Oh yes. Lovely page. (Forgot that I could rate for accuracy, I can so rarely do that, and I had to go back and do it.)