About Lake Cruise & Island Nature Walk
Māori name & meaning: Mou Waho – Outer island. Mou Waho is the island reached during the Lake Wānaka cruise and explored on the guided nature walk.
The boat leaves Wānaka behind, crossing the lake towards remote Mou Waho Island. Once ashore, birdsong fills the regenerating native bush as the track climbs towards Arethusa Pool, a hidden lake resting within the island.
The Story of This Place
Mou Waho is the most remote of Lake Wānaka’s islands and a protected, predator-free sanctuary for native wildlife. After invasive pine forest was removed, conservation work began restoring the island’s biodiversity through predator control and the planting of native food trees. Guided visits now actively support this work, helping rebuild habitat for the island’s birds and other native species.
The Experience of Visiting
Cruise across Lake Wānaka before joining a small-group nature walk on predator-free Mou Waho Island. The track climbs through regenerating native bush to Arethusa Pool, with regular pauses and walking poles available when needed. The experience includes seasonal swimming for confident swimmers, “high tea” with rare buff weka and panoramic mountain views, and the chance to plant a native tree as a hands-on contribution to the island’s restoration.
Natural Features
Mou Waho’s regenerating native bush includes kōtukutuku/tree fuchsia and horoeka/lancewood, species planted as part of the island’s ecological restoration. The predator-free sanctuary also supports buff weka, korimako/bellbirds, tūī, grey warblers, geckos and wētā, while Arethusa Pool forms a hidden lake high within the island.
Good to Know
- The cruise to Mou Waho Island takes approximately 30 minutes, and guided groups are limited to 10 travellers per guide.
- Since 2007, guided visits have included planting a locally grown native tree, with more than 10,000 trees planted through the restoration programme.
Stories Shared Along the Way
Local guides share the stories behind Mou Waho’s wildlife and remarkable ecological recovery during the small-group nature walk. They introduce the birds, geckos, wētā and native plants encountered along the track, explaining how conservation work has helped them flourish. The rare buff weka often brings these stories to life by approaching visitors with its famously curious personality.
Little-Known Facts
Buff weka have been extinct on mainland New Zealand since 1920, but they thrive within Mou Waho’s predator-free sanctuary and are known for approaching visitors with bold curiosity.
Arethusa Pool sits approximately 150 metres above Lake Wānaka, making the island’s famous “lake on an island in a lake” far more elevated than many visitors realise.
One Thing to Know
Reaching Arethusa Pool involves an uphill walk over uneven terrain, but regular pauses and available walking poles help travellers enjoy the climb at a comfortable pace.