Made famous for its Reflection Lake, this spot is absolutely incredible for mirror photography.
Lake Matheson / Te Ara Kairaumati is a popular spot to visit near the township of Fox Glacier on the West Coast of the South Island.
After hearing about the incredible photography opportunities from Reflection Island, we knew it was somewhere we had to visit for sunset. The lake offers a rare, west-side view of Mount Cook, unlike the usual perspective from the Hooker Valley Track.
Let’s just say we weren’t disappointed. To date, this is still one of my favourite photography locations in New Zealand.
How to Get to Matheson Lake
Access to the Lake Matheson walking track is via a huge free car park located approximately 5 km from the Fox Glacier Township. I've pinned the exact location on the map below to help you find it.
There is a souvenir shop, cafe and public toilet at the beginning of the walk.
Location: Lake Matheson Rd Parking
Matheson Lake Loop Walk
- Distance: 2.5 km circuit
- Time: 1 hour (depending on how many times you stop)
- Difficulty: Easy (flat)
- Jetty Viewpoint: Wheelchair Track 40 minutes
The Lake Matheson walk is a short 2.5 km lakeside loop through lush native forests. The track is mostly flat and has several spots and wooden viewpoints to stop and take photos of the incredible Mt Cook reflections.
Reflection Island
By far the best and most popular spot to get Lake Matheson reflections of New Zealand's tallest mountain is a spot known as Reflection Island. This can be found 1.4 km along the track walking in an anti-clockwise direction.
This is a small wooden bridge that leads out to an "island" near the edge of the lake. The great thing about this spot is that it lines up perfectly with the Cook mountain range, offering exceptional mirror reflections in the calm lake waters.
After you've snapped some shots, continue around the lake to find the Jetty Viewpoint, which also offers epic views!
Location: Island Viewpoint
Should I Visit the Lake at Sunrise or Sunset?
After doing a little bit of research, it seems that the consensus is that sunrise at the lake provides the best lighting conditions for reflections. However, I'm going to have to disagree.
Since Lake Matheson is on New Zealand's West Coast, the sun sets behind the lake, avoiding harsh light in your photos and lighting up Mt Cook beautifully.
However, in saying this Mount Cook is often behind a thick blanket of clouds at sunset unless the skies are clear.
More Lake Matheson Photos to Inspire Your Trip
Here are some more photos I captured around Lake Matheson and the incredible Reflection Island at sunset.
I hope they'll inspire you to make the quick detour from Fox Glacier or the West Coast.
Where to stay on the West Coast!
Below are my top picks for the best places to stay on the West Coast for your South Island New Zealand adventures!
1. Rainforest Deluxe Franz Josef
The perfect place to unwind whilst being surrounded by nature after a long full day of exploring.
2. Fox Glacier Lodge Fox Glacier
Located close to the center of town and the Glow Worm Trail. Fox Glacier Lodge offers guests a calm and welcoming stay with incredible snow-capped mountain views.
3. Beachfront Hotel Hokitika
Located on the beach front this hotel ticks all the boxes for the ultimate place to stay in Hokitika. It boasts modern rooms and a restaurant with ocean views.
More Things to Do on the West Coast
Looking for more travel guides and articles for things to do on the West Coast? After visiting Lake Matheson, make sure to consider some of the other travel guides and blogs below.
If you're looking for great hikes, make sure to check out this guide to the 31 Best Hikes in the South Island.
Enjoy and stay adventurous!
- 36 Amazing Places to Visit in the South Island - my most comprehensive travel guide that is useful to help you find the best places to visit on your trip to the South Island
- Top Things to Do in Queenstown: Explore Queenstown's top hikes, epic adrenaline activities, and hidden gems.
- South Island's Best Hikes: I hiked over 50 trails in New Zealand. Here's my curated list of the most breathtaking hikes across New Zealand's South Island.
- Arthur's Pass Travel Guide: Dive into the heart of Arthur's Pass with my guide to the best places to visit.
- Best Mount Cook National Park Hikes: A hiking guide to the most scenic trails beneath Mount Cook.
- Best Views of Mount Cook: Discover the top spots to witness New Zealand's Aoraki peak in all its glory.
- Epic Things to do at Milford Sound: Explore 21 unique ideas get inspired to visit Milford Sound!
- Catlins' Hidden Gems: Uncover the Catlins' best-kept secrets, from waterfalls to wild coastlines.
- Accommodation Resources: Plan where to stay in Queenstown and discover the amazing Tekapo Lake Hotels.
