Lake Rotopounamu Track

Lake Rotopounamu ('greenstone lake') nestles on the side of Mt Pihanga. This beautiful lake is a special favourite of tree lovers, bird watchers, walkers and swimmers.

Beginning opposite the car park, the track winds gently uphill to a junction. At the junction the track to the left goes to Ten Minute Beach which is a pleasant picnic and swimming spot in summer. To walk around the lake turn right at the junction and follow a short section of metalled track before dropping down towards Five Minute Beach. Here a broad tree stump provides a good spot to view the lake.

Rotopounamu was formed by a landslide about 10,000 years ago. It is nine metres deep and covers one square kilometre. Long Beach sweeps along the eastern side of the lake and is an ideal spot for a picnic or rest stop. There is a toilet here as well. From here the track continues to the northern shore where three of Rotopounamu's four tributary streams enter the lake. The lake has no visible outflow and possibly drains via an underground stream or seepage.