Lake Rotoiti (Tasman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Rotoiti |
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Lake Rotoiti towards Mount Robert and St Arnaud Range
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 Lake Rotoiti
Location in South Island
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| Location | Nelson Lakes National Park, Tasman Region, South Island |
| Coordinates | 41°49′28″S 172°50′17″E / 41.8245°S 172.8381°E |
| Primary inflows | Travers River |
| Primary outflows | Buller River |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
| Max. depth | 82 m (269 ft) |
| Settlements | Saint Arnaud |
Lake Rotoiti, also known as Lake Arthur in the past, is a large mountain lake in New Zealand. It is located in the Tasman Region of the South Island. This beautiful lake is a main feature of the Nelson Lakes National Park.
Water flows into Lake Rotoiti from the Travers River. The lake's water then flows out into the Buller River. The area around the lake is covered in Beech forests. Lake Rotoiti is quite deep, reaching 82 metres at its deepest point. A small town called Saint Arnaud is located at the northern end of the lake.
About Lake Rotoiti
The name "Rotoiti" comes from the Māori words "roto" (lake) and "iti" (little). So, "Rotoiti" means "little lake." This name was given by the Māori people who lived in the area.
Early Discoveries and Naming
The first European person to see Lake Rotoiti was John Sylvanus Cotterell. He discovered the lake on January 18, 1843. Later that same year, in November 1843, explorers Thomas Brunner and Charles Heaphy also reached the lake. Charles Heaphy decided to name it Lake Arthur. He named it after Captain Arthur Wakefield. However, the original Māori name, Rotoiti, continued to be used and is still its official name today.
For many years, a politician and landowner named John Kerr owned land around the lake. This land was known as Lake Station and included nearby Mount Robert. John Kerr was the person who first brought trout fish to the lake. Sadly, he drowned in the lake. After his death, his son Robert managed the land. Due to some problems with how the land was managed, the lake and Mount Robert eventually became owned by the New Zealand government again.
Fun Activities at the Lake
Lake Rotoiti is a popular spot for many outdoor activities.
- Hiking Trails: There are several walking tracks around the lake. The Lakehead track is on the east side, and the Lakeside track is on the west side. These tracks are great for tramping, which is another word for hiking.
- Water Taxi: A water taxi service operates on the lake. It takes hikers to and from huts located at the far end of the lake. These huts are called Coldwater and Lakehead huts.
- Water Sports: Lake Rotoiti is also a favourite place for waterskiing.
- Fishing: The lake has introduced trout, which are a type of fish that were brought to the lake. These trout attract many people who enjoy recreational fishing.
- Skiing (Past): Near the lake is Mount Robert. This mountain used to have a small ski field run by a club. However, the Department of Conservation (DOC) removed the ski field in 2005.
See also
In Spanish: Lago Rotoiti (Tasmania) para niños
