Lake Rotoiti and Kerr Bay, St Arnaud

A glacial lake in Nelson Lakes National Park, surrounded by beech forest and mountains, with the village of St Arnaud on its northern shore. The jetty at Kerr Bay, with the mountains behind, is one of the most photographed spots in the South Island. Look out for eels in the water below the jetty.

There are easy walks right from the village: the Honeydew Walk and the Bellbird Walk through the forest (filled with bellbird song, thanks to pest control), and the Brunner Peninsula Nature Walk along the lakeshore. Water taxis take you to the head of the lake for longer walks, and you can kayak, swim (it's cold) and fish. The DOC visitor centre in St Arnaud has information on walks and conditions.