Lake Mahinapua

Lake Mahinapua is a shallow lake on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. It is roughly 10km south of Hokitika and near the small town of Ruatapu. It was formerly a coastal lagoon, but the buildup of coastal dunes made it an inland lake roughly 500 m from the Tasman Sea coastline. In 1907, the Lake Mahinapua Scenic Reserve was established to protect the land around the lake, and a number of walking tracks run through this area. Other activities that take place around the lake are picnicking, camping, and various water-based activities. Species of birds such as black swans and grey and mallard ducks live around the lagoon, and the surrounding bush provides a habitat for species such as parakeets and tui. State Highway 6 passes...