Lake Ohau
Lake Ohau
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
79 reviews
Excellent
54
Very good
17
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
0
D P
Wellington, New Zealand8,068 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
Gorgeous lake with stunning scenery on every side. Lots of places where you can access the lake to fish or kayak or just stop and picnic or camp beside.
Quite a long drive down and currently the far end is closed off but don’t let that stop you checking it out and enjoying all that scenery.
Quite a long drive down and currently the far end is closed off but don’t let that stop you checking it out and enjoying all that scenery.
Written February 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter H
Brisbane Region, Australia166 contributions
Nov 2019
We had been up to Mt. Cook, so after lunch we headed to check out Lake Ohau. While the weather was against us, it did confirm the rugged beauty of this area. We had thought that we might be able to stop at the Lodge for a coffee etc. but it seems that it is only for guests.
It was still an enjoyable interlude to our day. Just beautiful scenery.
It was still an enjoyable interlude to our day. Just beautiful scenery.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevinfrancis65
Auckland Central, New Zealand225 contributions
What a magnificent day. I started out driving along Lake Ohau to reach the start of the trail near Greta Lodge. The lake itself looked stunning. Parking in the grass area near the start of the Ben Ohau summit track, I headed off up the track. The track starts at 550m or so and the summit is 1552m, so a reasonable altitude gain for a morning walk. There are several great vista points on the way up and the track is easy to follow, although I'd take a map (I have an OS map with me) as there are a couple of track diversions that have no route markers. The track does not go right to the summit, so I veered off to the top before heading back down. Now, you can retrace your steps or head along the Greta Stream track, a much longer return path. I headed along the Greta Stream track. The paths diverge on this track after a couple of clicks, so you need to head left downhill towards the stream. The going is easy, but there are several cross over points of the stream which is too wide to jump and too deep to step across when its had rain. Three times the boots had to come off and that water is icy!! Overall, an excellent days walk, about 20k if you include the summit of Ben Ohau. You lose coverage for good parts of the track, so be sure to take the usual "just in case" stuff. I met no-one in either direction all day. Enjoy.
Written April 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Damien S
Adelaide, Australia7,175 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Amazing views and a beautiful location. Be prepared for a lot of windy conditions and heavy waves. Relaxing bit make sure you pack a jacket.
Written February 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
62Peter1952
Ashburton, New Zealand213 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
Visited Ohau A,B,and C power stations, for a drive that was a good couple of hours. The scenery is fantastic, as is the earth works that were done here many years ago, to build these three power stations.
Worth the drive to appreciate this.
Worth the drive to appreciate this.
Written October 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David D
126 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
What a laidback quiet little town is Ohau.
It has its own lake, not as big as it’s star relatives, and a lodge and a couple of houses for residents and holiday homes.
It is sooo quiet.
If you’re looking to get away from the multitudes, try camping on Lake Middleton just across the street from Lake ohau.
Straight up the mountain from the lodge it has its own ski field and a scenic drive up.
On a clear day you can see straight through to Mt Cook.
There are clean public toilets near the camping ground.
It has its own lake, not as big as it’s star relatives, and a lodge and a couple of houses for residents and holiday homes.
It is sooo quiet.
If you’re looking to get away from the multitudes, try camping on Lake Middleton just across the street from Lake ohau.
Straight up the mountain from the lodge it has its own ski field and a scenic drive up.
On a clear day you can see straight through to Mt Cook.
There are clean public toilets near the camping ground.
Written April 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie T
Gisborne Region, New Zealand18 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
We recently spent two nights at Ohau Lodge. The accomodation was average with the rooms a little out dated, however the rooms where warm, the lodge had great food and atmosphere.
The staff are friendly and accomodating to requests, even with the large numbers at the lodge they provided a personal touch.
The staff are friendly and accomodating to requests, even with the large numbers at the lodge they provided a personal touch.
Written July 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
r0sie56
Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand15 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
What an outstanding place to visit- the scenery is breathtaking. Take time to drive up to the village and look at the views or have a picnic at Lake Middleton. This is well worth taking time to see Mt Cook and surrounding mountains from another angle.
Written May 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Declan O
Nelson, New Zealand188 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
I often wonder how many foreign tourists turn off the main highway to visit this lake? It's reasonably well known among kiwis but may not yet be on the touriist itineraries.
This might be a good thing, as it's a peaceful and majestic lake. It's setting is quite spectacular with hugh high alps in the distance and a brooding mountain sweeping down to the azure water.
In winter it's worth driving up to the ski field. The road can be pretty dauting for people not used to mountin roads unprotected by barriers with a drop of several hundred metres if you don't pay attention! Don't be intimidated it's one of th most spectsacular ski roads in New Zealand.
Take the time to visit this lovely lake.
This might be a good thing, as it's a peaceful and majestic lake. It's setting is quite spectacular with hugh high alps in the distance and a brooding mountain sweeping down to the azure water.
In winter it's worth driving up to the ski field. The road can be pretty dauting for people not used to mountin roads unprotected by barriers with a drop of several hundred metres if you don't pay attention! Don't be intimidated it's one of th most spectsacular ski roads in New Zealand.
Take the time to visit this lovely lake.
Written March 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CharlotteLee88
Queenstown, New Zealand214 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
I grew up in the Mackenzie basin and I head around lake ohau any chance I get. On one side you have the ski field Huxley and lake Middleton and the other side you have the quaint little greta lodge and the boat ramps. The lake is always pretty cold but the views and the piece and quiet are well worth it! A must see for nature lovers!
Written September 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, How is the driving conditions in August for this attraction? Does the snow come down to the lake shore and make the road difficult to navigate?
Written January 26, 2020
We were there during late November/early December, so could not say with any certainty if snow affects the road.
Written January 26, 2020
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