Mirror Lakes
Milford-Te Anau Highway, Fiordland National Park, Southland, 9679
The Mirror Lakes are a collection of small lakes in South Island’s Fiordland National Park. As the name suggests, when the air is still their surface acts somewhat like a mirror, reflecting the Earl Mountains surrounding them. The short walk to the lakes is a popular way to break the journey between Te Anau and Milford Sound.
The basics
The Mirror Lakes are surrounded by wetland and beech forest, providing shade on a hot day, and a habitat for waterfowl, various ducks, eels, and rainbow trout. The boardwalk between the parking lot and the lakes is around 1,300 feet (400 meters) return, so it’s just a short walk. Many travelers stop here while driving between Te Anau and Milford Sound, and guided tours making the same trip often stop here, too.
Things to know before you go
- A wheelchair- and stroller-friendly boardwalk connects the parking lot with the lakes.
- Don’t throw (or let kids throw) anything into the lake. While it might seem tempting to shatter the view with a stone, other visitors might be annoyed.
- Dogs are not permitted at the Mirror Lakes.
How to get there
The Mirror Lakes are around 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Te Anau. They’re on State Highway 94, the main road connecting Te Anau and Milford Sound, so are easy to reach by private car when traveling between the two popular destinations. Many guided tours that operate along this road also stop here for a few minutes.
When to get there
The lakes are pleasant at any time, but the mirror-like views are best when the air is calm and not windy. This is not something that can be easily predicted, so you might just have to try your luck.
Hike the Lake Gunn Nature Walk
If you’re looking for more easy and short walks in the Fiordland area, check out the Lake Gunn Nature Walk. At 45 minutes, the flat track is longer than the Mirror Lakes track, but it’s still easy. Lake Gunn is surrounded by moss-covered trees, stony beaches, and high mountains. It’s located near the popular Cascade Creek campsite.
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