Lake Wanaka covers about 193 square kilometres and reaches depths of over 300 metres
Arethusa Pool sits roughly 180 metres above Lake Wanaka's surface on Mou Waho Island
The Mou Waho summit walk is about 3km return, taking 1.5 to 2 hours
Mou Waho is a DOC-managed predator-free reserve, home to reintroduced buff weka
Lake Wanaka is a striking 193-square-kilometre alpine lake, but its real secret sits on Mou Waho, one of several islands scattered across its surface. Climb roughly 180 metres above the lake's edge and you'll reach Arethusa Pool, a small freshwater lake perched on top of the island, a genuine lake-on-an-island-in-a-lake formation that geography nerds travel the world to see.
The island is a predator-free scenic reserve managed by the Department of Conservation, home to flightless buff weka that were reintroduced after being wiped out on the mainland. Boat operators run cruises from Wanaka township directly to Mou Waho, where a return walking track of around three kilometres takes most visitors 1.5 to 2 hours, climbing through beech forest to a summit lookout with 360-degree views across the lake to the Southern Alps.
For visitors, it's a rewarding half-day trip that pairs an easy boat ride with a genuinely rare natural curiosity, plus some of the best panoramic views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains anywhere in the region.
Common questions
Where can you find a lake inside a lake in New Zealand?**
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Mou Waho Island, in the middle of Lake Wanaka near the town of Wanaka, has its own summit lake called Arethusa Pool roughly 180 metres above the main lake's surface. Boat tours depart from Wanaka's lakefront to reach the island.**
How do you get to Mou Waho Island and Arethusa Pool?**
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You take a scheduled boat cruise from Wanaka township (around a 30-minute trip across the lake), then walk a signposted DOC track of about 3km return, which takes 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the summit pool and lookout.** For visitors, it's a rewarding half-day trip that pairs an easy boat ride with a genuinely rare natural curiosity, plus some of the best panoramic views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains anywhere in the region.
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