Geography of Lake Wakatipu
Geography of Lake Wakatipu: location, coordinates, elevation, terrain and the places around it.
Geography of Lake Wakatipu
Queenstown is 1 mi to the north, Queenstown Airport is 4 mi to the north-east, Wanaka is 33 mi to the north-east and Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand is 47 mi to the north-west.
Map of Lake Wakatipu
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Coordinates: 45°2′60″S 168°40′0.1″E (-45.05, 168.6667)
Quick facts about Lake Wakatipu
| Type | Lake |
|---|---|
| Region | Otago |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 45°2′60″S 168°40′0.1″E (-45.05, 168.6667) |
| Maximum depth | 1.247 ft |
| Known for | a Z-shaped lake at Queenstown |
| Local time | 2:58 AM (UTC+12:00) |
| Best months | February |
| Climate | Temperate |
Summary
Lake Wakatipu is a lake in Otago. Lake Wakatipu is a lake known as a Z-shaped lake at Queenstown.
Right now it is 44°F (7°C) in Lake Wakatipu with light drizzle. It feels like 42°F. Today runs from 39°F to 46°F. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sightseeing conditions score 6/10 - fair - plan around the weather.
The best time to visit Lake Wakatipu is February. The climate is temperate. June, September and October tend to be the least comfortable months. January is the warmest month with average highs near 70°F, while August is the coldest with lows near 35°F.
The closest major airport is Queenstown Airport (ZQN), about 4 mi away. Nearby highlights include Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand, Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park and South Island.
In plain terms. Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 46°F is in line with the 47°F typical for this month. fishing is the strongest bet in Lake Wakatipu today at 9.7/10. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Climate in Lake Wakatipu month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 70° | 53° | 5,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| February | 70° | 52° | 3,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 65° | 49° | 4,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 60° | 46° | 5,1 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| May | 53° | 41° | 3,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| June | 48° | 38° | 4,8 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| July | 46° | 36° | 3,7 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| August | 47° | 35° | 2,4 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| September | 50° | 37° | 13,5 in | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| October | 55° | 40° | 10,0 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| November | 64° | 45° | 4,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 68° | 51° | 5,6 in | ★★★★☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Explore Lake Wakatipu
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Frequently asked questions
Where is Lake Wakatipu?
Lake Wakatipu is a lake in Otago. Its coordinates are -45.05, 168.6667. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in Lake Wakatipu right now?
It is currently 44°F (7°C) with light drizzle. Humidity is 93% and wind is 1 mph.
When is the best time to visit Lake Wakatipu?
February offer the most comfortable conditions in Lake Wakatipu, which has a temperate climate. June, September and October are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Lake Wakatipu in?
Lake Wakatipu observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+12:00). The local time is 2:58 AM.
What is the nearest airport to Lake Wakatipu?
The closest airports are Queenstown Airport (ZQN), 4 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Lake Wakatipu?
Popular options include Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand, Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, South Island and Aoraki / Mount Cook.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (lakes) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Map tiles | OpenStreetMap contributors, CARTO and Esri. |
| Elevation | Open-Meteo digital elevation model where the dataset has no value. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 26, 2026 at 2:58 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
