Waterfalls and lakes in South Island

The South Island’s hydrology spans from the turquoise glacial waters of Lake Tekapo and Pukaki in the Mackenzie Basin to the 580-meter drop of Sutherland Falls near Milford Sound. This collection features alpine lakes shaped by glacial movement, such as the mirror-reflective Lake Matheson, alongside tiered cascades like Purakaunui Falls in the Catlins. These sites highlight diverse geological formations, including the sheer fjord walls of Piopiotahi and the ancient beech forests surrounding the Nelson Lakes.