Fox Glacier's Lake Matheson

The early morning reflection of Mts Tasman and Cook in the still tanninstained waters of Lake Matheson is as perfect as a reflection photo gets. Wonderfully, DOC has extended the “Reflection Island” viewpoint steps right down to the lakeside point where the reflection shines best. Expect plenty of tourist company on this lakeshore loop because every tour bus stops here and the easy walk over to the lake makes the outing all-ages friendly. The track makes a loop around the entire lake with stops at two viewpoint platforms (Reflection Island is the better one.)

For keen photographers, neither dawn nor sunset is best for lighting the reflection scene. Dawn is WAY too back-lit and near dusk the entire Fox Glacier canyon is in deep shadow. In the afternoon, when the light may be best, that’s when the glacier breeze stirs up the lake. Thus, the time that the photo-pros go to get their “shot” would be mid-morning on a calm sunny day—about 8:30-9am (of course on a clear calm sunny day…Ha!) This lets the rising sun creep high enough to light some of the foreground ridges, but before the thermal winds begin to blow. As a photographer, don’t bother to sleep in the carpark and hustle out at dawn, because dawn only disappoints. Wait for the tourist airplanes to begin their daily rumble, have a nice brekkie at the Lake café, then go. Regrettably, this is when the daily tour buses begin arriving. Best of luck—it is a smashing photo when the elements are kind.

From the Reflection Island photo platform be sure to look for the “friendly” eel family that lives under the platform. Every now and then one or more may swim out from under the platform to check-out the daily human parade… yikes!

WALK: An easy one-hour track (4km) circles the lake. Going clockwise, the small, cramped “View of Views” platform is about 25 minutes, then 8 more minutes to Reflection Island. To speed your way to Reflection Island, begin the track then turn right to go counter-clockwise.

FYI: There’s another great photo-op “Peak Viewpoint” another 5km past the Lake Matheson turn, on the way to Gillespies Beach at the stream crossing—check it out, as it lets you see the upper Fox Glacier.