New Zealand Walk: Mirror Lakes world famous for

Mirror Lakes world famous for beauty

One of the highlights of the Milford Road, the Mirror Lakes are world famous for their beauty and the way they reflect their surrounding scenery. You’ll find the Mirror Lakes within the Eglinton Valley.

Stunningly scenic, on a calm day they provide breathtaking reflections of the Earl mountain ranges opposite.

Thousands of tourists visit the Mirror Lakes every year in search of the perfect photo op. However, they’re also a habitat for many animals, including some of our rarest birds.

New Zealand’s smallest duck, the scaup or pāpango, live in the Mirror Lakes and other Eglinton Valley waterways, as do the grey duck or pārera.

Under the water you’ll find longfinned native eels, as well as brown and rainbow trout which were introduced in the 1800s.

The Mirror Lakes were created when the Eglinton River shifted its course long ago, leaving these two river bends behind to form what is known as ‘oxbow’ lakes.

Together with the Eglinton River

Above: The Mirror Lakes in the Eglinton Valley. Below left: Walking on the boardwalk.

they form part of the largest system of inland waterways in New Zealand, stretching (almost unbroken) from Martins Bay/Kotuku in the north to Te Wawae Bay on the south coast.

To see the Mirror Lakes, you’ll follow the signs from the roadside carpark and take a short walk along a well-maintained boardwalk through native forest..

If you’re visiting the Mirror Lakes on a Milford Sound day tour, listen to your driver when they tell you what time to return to the bus.

The lakes are so beautiful it’s very easy to stay too long taking “just one more photo”.

Getting there

This walk begins from the Milford Road, Fiordland, about 56 km north from Te Anau.

Car parking and the walkway is well marked on the roadside.

This is an easy walk suited to all ages and accessible to wheelchairs.

Track Details

Length: 400m long, return via same track.

Time: Allow 10 minutes plus.

Track: Easiest: Easy access short walk.

Dog access: No dogs

Above, middle and below: Views of the Mirror Lakes from the lookout.