The jetty you’re probably thinking of is the one in Kerr Bay right in St Arnaud township.
This is not that jetty and for a very good reason.
The jetty in St Arnaud is famous for more than just it’s stunning setting.
It’s also famous for the vast number of massive eels that live underneath it.
Go have a look and you’ll thank me for this piece of information!
However, just around the lake a little further is West Bay, which also has a jetty and magnificent views, but with altogether fewer eels. I’m not saying none, I’m just saying fewer, way fewer.
Hop in the water here and the potential for up-close experiences with aquatic life is soon forgotten.
The lake is fed by the Travers River and its water is utterly pristine.
The views are next-level gorgeous and the song of tūī and bellbirds with the scent of the beech forest which surrounds the lake, makes for a multi-sensory experience of just plain goodness.
If there’s added screeching to this scene, that’ll either be the local kākā population or other swimmers hitting the water and realising just how cold it is.
The lake drops to 82m at its deepest, so there’s a lot of water for the sun to warm up.
However, on a hot summer’s day the cool water is just the ticket.
If you’re visiting between December and April, consider staying in the nearby Department of Conversation campsites.
They have about 80 unpowered sites between them, good basic facilities and a gorgeous setting.
Lake Rotoiti
St Arnaud, Tasman
At a glance
Getting there: From Nelson, take State Highway 6 towards Westport. After Wakefield, continue for 9km before turning left on to Wai-Iti Valley Rd.
Over the next 45km, the road changes names a few times. Turn right on to SH63 and continue for 6.6km.
This will take you through St Arnaud to the Mount Robert Rd. Turn left here and the jetty is 700m down the road.
Parking: Yes
Toilets: Yes
Changing rooms: Yes
Showers: Yes, cold ones
Kid friendly: Yes
Dog friendly: No
Sandflies: Chances are there will be sandflies and they will want to bite you. Bring good repellent and clothes with long sleeves.
Safety advice: It’s a jetty, which means you will be sharing the water with boats here, so be smart and keep your wits about you.
Long swim options: Go for as long as you want: it’s just you and your tolerance for cold and the eels!
The book
Images and text from Jump In: An insider's guide to New Zealand's best beaches, lakes, rivers, pools and hot springs by Nicola McCloy, published by HarperCollins NZ, RRP: $49.99.
