Lake Paringa

On the coast and an hour’s drive south of Fox Glacier is Lake Paringa – the northernmost of a brace of glacial carved lakes.

Historically, farmers from the Landsborough and Cascade Valleys used the Haast-Paringa Track to drive their cattle north to Whataroa for sale, with the last mob completing the long journey as late as 1961. Reopened as a heritage walk in the 1980s, it’s a threeday tramp with hut stays along the way. The lake itself is a bijou gem, well known among anglers as an excellent salmon and brown trout fishing ground. There’s not much beyond the Lake Paringa Lodge, and a small lakeside DOC camping ground with toilet facilities, but a short drive north is the South Westland Salmon Farm, with its café and shop.