Lake Moeraki is situated between Haast in the south and Fox Glacier in the north. Its Maori name means "to sleep by day". The idyllic lake is surrounded by some of the West Coast's most lush lowland and the wetland rain forests – adjacent to remote beaches that are home to a variety of marine fauna, including seals and penguins. Spectacular beaches, untouched lowland rain forests spread between pristine lakes and rivers which drain the snow capped Southern Alps. Few places on Earth can match the unique natural setting of the Lake Moeraki.
About half an hour further south, the settlement of Haast was once a construction camp for the Ministry of Works (the government department responsible for road and bridge building). Today, it's a settlement with a touch of the wild west – helicopters fly deer hunters into the rugged ranges and local pubs make a feature of stuffed animal trophies. Westland is famous for its rainfall – visitors should always be prepared for wet weather. |
|
 |
 |
| Reflections in Lake Moeraki |
|
