Lake Monowai

The lake sits in a long, curved valley fringed by hills and dense beech forest. Expect a peaceful vibe, glassy mornings for paddling, and the occasional boat heading out from the ramp. There’s also a notable human story here: the lake feeds one of the South Island’s oldest hydroelectric stations, and debates over water levels helped galvanize New Zealand’s conservation movement.

• Easy walks: The Lake Monowai/Borland nature walk gives you classic mossy forest and lake-edge views without much effort.
• Longer missions: Tramp to Green Lake and beyond; some parties link hiking with packrafting across the lakes for a bigger adventure.
• On the water: Boating and kayaking are common, and anglers target brown and rainbow trout.

Birders can look for robins, riflemen, tomtits, fantails, brown creepers, grey warblers, parakeets, and waterfowl around the lake; above treeline you might spot pipits or kea. The waterways hold trout and eels, and insect life is plentiful—bring repellent for the sandflies.

Access is via Borland Road, originally built for powerline work and now maintained for public use. Parts of it can be rough—after heavy weather a high-clearance vehicle is wise. Dogs aren’t permitted (it’s national park).

Monowai’s 1920s hydro scheme is one of the South Island’s earliest, and the lake level was raised for power generation. Public pushback in later decades helped protect Fiordland’s lakes from further manipulation—an important chapter in New Zealand conservation.

• Expect wet, sometimes boggy tracks; waterproof boots help.
• Check conditions with DOC before committing to longer routes or Borland Road travel.