Reflections of Giants - The Lake Matheson Walk
- Jul 8
- 2 min read
Access: Fox Glacier Township
Length: 4.5 km lake circuit
Duration: ~1.5 hours (add ~3 hours return for Lake Gault)
From the centre of Fox Glacier township, follow the road toward Gillespies Beach and Lake Matheson. After around 5 km, turn left onto a side road to Lake Matheson and continue to the car park.
From here, clear signage leads you past the café and shop and onto the start of the track. Not far in, you’ll pass a large picture frame—an intentional stop, and one worth taking. On a clear day, it perfectly captures the distant peaks of Aoraki / Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, offering a first glimpse of what’s to come.
The track begins gently, weaving through low scrub and bush before reaching the Clearwater River. A long suspension bridge spans the water here, its tannin-stained surface flowing quietly beneath your feet—dark, reflective, and almost glass-like.
On the far side of the bridge, you’ll reach a junction marking the start of the lake circuit. You can walk either clockwise or anticlockwise, but most people instinctively continue straight. For a quieter experience, it’s worth heading the other way.
Anticlockwise route
Cross a small stream and follow the shoreline along the quieter upper end of the lake. This section feels more secluded, the track narrowing slightly as it enters the bush. Around 10 minutes in, another junction appears—the turnoff to Lake Gault. If you have the time and energy, this side trip adds a rewarding backcountry feel to the day.
Continuing on the main loop, the track gradually climbs away from the lake, winding gently through native forest before descending again toward the water’s edge at Reflection Island.
This is the moment the walk is known for.
On calm, clear days, the lake becomes a mirror—perfectly reflecting the Southern Alps. The snow-capped peaks of Aoraki / Mount Cook and Mount Tasman rise inverted in the still water, creating a scene that feels almost unreal.
Beyond Reflection Island, the track continues toward the lower end of the lake. It dips down to the outlet, where a short climb leads to the aptly named “View of Views” lookout—an elevated perspective across the full expanse of the lake.
A wide boardwalk carries you across the outlet before steps lead back into the bush and down to the Jetty Viewpoint, another classic photo spot.
From here, the track flattens out for the final stretch, looping back to the original junction, across the Clearwater River suspension bridge, and returning to the car park.
This is a walk that rewards patience. While it’s beautiful at any time of day, the stillness needed for those iconic reflections often comes early in the morning or late in the evening. But even without the mirror-like surface, Lake Matheson holds a quiet magic—one shaped by light, water, and the towering presence of the Southern Alps beyond.
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