Lake Hayes: Lake, Nature and History

Lake Hayes brings together the lake’s natural setting, a loop trail that can be explored on foot or by bike, and a history that includes Māori names and an episode from 1859. If you are considering Lake Hayes as a destination, the lakeside scenery and birdlife, trail-planning considerations, and historical context offer several points of interest. The Waiwhakaata Lake Hayes Trail offers views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Nature and Lakeside Areas

Lake Hayes and its shores have Wildlife Refuge status. The lake is an important breeding area for various waterbirds, including Paradise Shelducks, Grey Teal, New Zealand Shoveler, Pūkeko, and Coots. The Australasian Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus australis) is also found at Lake Hayes in relatively large numbers; nationwide, the species is classified as nationally endangered.

The lakeside areas are designated as a wetland of regional significance under Schedule 9, No. 75. They provide habitat for the threatened native fish Koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis) and the threatened wetland bird Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus). Lake Hayes and its catchment are also the focus of a project to restore native biodiversity. Two aspects of nature are therefore found side by side: the lake is a breeding area for the waterbirds mentioned above, while Koaro and Australasian Bittern find habitat in the lakeside areas.

Loop Trail and Route Connections

The Waiwhakaata Lake Hayes Trail is an 8 km loop trail. For planning purposes, the circuit takes about one hour by bike and about two to three hours on foot. The route is rated intermediate, Grade 3. The difference between these time ranges makes cycling and walking two different time options for the same loop trail.

The Lake Hayes Walkway is part of the Te Araroa Trail. The Lake Hayes Trail connects to the Countryside Trail via Rutherford Road. Access points are at the North Lake Hayes picnic area, Lake Hayes Pavilion, the Showgrounds on SH6, Bendemeer Bay, Arrowtown Road, and Rutherford Road off Speargrass Flat Road. There is parking at several of these points. When planning, you can therefore consider both the complete loop and the route connections listed above.

Activities on the Water

Lake Hayes is an important recreational fishery for brown trout and perch; kayakers train on the lake. If you plan to swim, check LAWA’s water quality information before your visit. The various recommendations relate to different activities on the lake: fishing, kayak training, and checking water quality before a possible swimming visit.

Māori and Settlement History

Kai Tahu originally named Lake Hayes Te Whaka-ata a Haki-te-kura. There is also evidence of Māori camping sites in and around Waiwhakaata | Lake Hayes. Another historical name is Hays Lake: settlers originally called Lake Hayes this, after D. Hay, an Australian who came to the area in 1859 to look for grazing land for sheep.

The names represent two historical layers: Te Whaka-ata a Haki-te-kura is the original Māori name; Hays Lake is the settlers’ name, whose origin is connected with D. Hay and the search for grazing land. Thus, the original naming by Kai Tahu and the story of a settler’s arrival in 1859 stand side by side.

Discover more destinations: Glenorchy, Kingston, Lower Shotover, Dingle Burn, Albert Town, Speargrass Flat, Arthurs Point, Gibbston

For the main travel guide: Queenstown Lakes District.