Lakes are one of the most spectacular elements of the New Zealand landscape. Each of them has its own characteristic: size, shape, color, mountain rage surrounding them, beaches and roads. This gallery shows few of the New Zealand lakes. My favorite one is Lake Pukaki- the one colored with impossible turquoise. The water of this lake is milky: you cannot see the bottom even close to the shore. Its color is a result minerals eroded from the close glaciers. Minerals are mixed and dissolved in water of this amazing lake. Lake Pukaki is frequently visited by tourists as it is located close to the highest summit of New Zealand: Mt. Cook. The road to Aoraki (closest village is situated at the end of a wide valley filled almost entirely by the lake) leads along this lake for more than 50km! With its numerous turns you can watch the lake from many different perspective. But its fabulous color is always hard to believe. Aoraki is dominated with The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, from where the alpine quests start and from where the view is breathtaking. Standing in front of the building you can admire a wide perspective with Mt. Cook just before your eyes, with peak covered with snow and spectacular blue ice. If you wish to watch next photo gallery from New Zealand click here: most beautiful beaches!
Lake Pukaki is a filming location of the new Hobbit movie: The Desolation of Smaug. I am thrilled with it! I think this site is so beautiful and mysterious at the same time that filming a movie there was a must! See for yourself!
Some of the Hobbit filming locations were close to Christchurch – the biggest city at the South Island which was badly hit by the earthquake. Read the full story here.
