Lake Gunn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Gunn |
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Lake Gunn in the morning
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 Lake Gunn
Location in New Zealand
Lake Gunn
Location in South Island
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| Location | South Island |
| Coordinates | 44°53′S 168°05′E / 44.883°S 168.083°E |
| Primary inflows | west branch of the Eglinton River |
| Primary outflows | west branch of the Eglinton River |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Max. length | 4 km (2.5 mi) |
| Surface area | 6 km2 (2.3 sq mi) |
| Surface elevation | 480 m (1,570 ft) |
Lake Gunn is a beautiful lake located in the South Island of New Zealand. It's a popular spot for visitors exploring the stunning Fiordland National Park. The lake is named after George Gunn, who was one of the first Europeans to visit it in 1861.
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Exploring Lake Gunn's Location
Lake Gunn is a small, pretty lake found between two much larger and well-known places: Lake Te Anau and Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. It's very easy to reach because it sits right next to New Zealand State Highway 94, also known as the Milford Road. This road is famous for its incredible scenery!
The lake is also close to "The Divide," which is a low point between two mountain valleys in the Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. A small camping area called Cascade Creek is located near the lake's southern end. The west branch of the Eglinton River flows right through Lake Gunn. There's even a campsite run by the Department of Conservation where you can stay.
Surroundings of Lake Gunn
Lake Gunn is completely inside the Fiordland National Park. This means it's surrounded by amazing native bush, which is New Zealand's natural forest. You'll find several smaller lakes nearby, like Lake Fergus and Lake McKellar.
On the western side of Lake Gunn, there are some impressive mountains. One is Melita Peak, which stands at 1680 meters tall. Another mountain, once called Consolation Peak, was suggested to be named after the famous author JRR Tolkien in 2012. This was to celebrate two important historical events.
"The Divide" is a saddle, or low pass, between the valleys of the Eglinton River and the Hollyford River. It's located about four kilometers north of Lake Gunn.
The History Behind Lake Gunn's Name
Lake Gunn was named after George Gunn, who was a "runholder." This means he managed a large area of land for farming. He is believed to be the first European person to visit the lake, back in 1861.
Mountain Naming Stories
The name Consolation Peak was originally given by a local mountaineer, Sir Erskine Bowmar. However, it was accidentally placed on the wrong mountain on maps.
Later, in 1980, the name Consolation Peak was moved to another nearby mountain. This mountain had been suggested in 1973 to be named Mount Gondor after JRR Tolkien, following his death. However, Mount Gondor was later removed from official maps by Land Information New Zealand from 1980 onwards.
Images for kids
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Bush surrounding the lake
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Lake Gunn New Zealand
