The Lake Hauroko Mystery

Lake Hauroko in Fiordlands National Park is the closest of the mountain lakes to us, so of course it was the first we visited. It is the deepest lake in New Zealand (463 meters), and steeped in mystery.

The story goes that 5 men were out hunting together. Two stayed on shore while the other three went out in a boat to make for the opposite shore. They left with their packs, guns, and dog and headed into a heavily fogged in lake. According to the two men left behind, somewhere in the middle of the lake, the engine of the boat cut out.

beautiful forested tracks run along the edge of the lake

Several days later, the dog, guns, and completely dry packs were found on the opposing shore. All in good condition. The men, however, were never seen again.

Legend has it that the small island on the lake, Mary's Island, carries a curse to protect the Maori burial cave there, but local Maori dismiss that.

streams feed into the lake before forming the headwaters of the Wairaurahiri River

I guess we can draw our own conclusions: curse or foul play. In this isolated majestic place, either is totally plausible.