Makarora River

The Makarora River is in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand.

Makarora River
The Makarora River flows into northern end of Lake Wānaka.
Route of the Makarora River
Mouth of the Makarora River Show map of South Island Makarora River (New Zealand) Show map of New Zealand
Native name	Makarore (Māori)
Location
Country	New Zealand
Region	Otago
District	Queenstown-Lakes
Physical characteristics
Source	Mount Brewster
• coordinates	44.08138°S 169.45956°E / -44.08138; 169.45956
Mouth
• location	Lake Wānaka
• coordinates	44°19′04″S 169°10′17″E
• elevation	300 m (980 ft)
Length	35 km (22 mi)
Basin features
Progression	Makarora River → Lake Wānaka → Clutha River / Mata-Au → Pacific Ocean
Tributaries
• left	Stewart Creek, Kiwi Creek, Camerons Creek, Muddy Creek, Templeton Creek, Brady Creek, Sawmill Creek, Pipson Creek, White Creek, Station Creek, Ewings Creek, Boggy Creek, Flaxmill Creek, Ōturaki Creek
• right	Fish River, Blue River, Ore Stream, Leven Stream, Young River, Tiel Creek, Wilkin River

Name

The Kāi Tahu name for the river is Makarore. Manga (maka in the Kāi Tahu dialect) means stream. However the meaning of rore in this context is unknown.^[1]

Geography

The headwaters are in Mount Aspiring National Park, on the eastern flanks of the Southern Alps near Haast Pass, which is the saddle between the Makarora and Haast River valleys. The Makarora River flows south into the northern end of Lake Wānaka after passing the small community of Makarora. The river attracts some recreational fishing, jetboating and kayaking. Rainbow and brown trout migrate from Lake Wānaka up the river and its tributaries to spawn, mainly in autumn and winter.^[2]

Landslide

In September 2007 a landslide in the Young River valley blocked off the corresponding stream. Young River is a tributary to Makarora River. The landslide created a new lake which appears to be permanent.^{[citation needed]}

Tourism

State Highway 6 follows the Makarora River for the majority of its course from just south of Haast Pass. A popular^[3] short walk leads to its confluence with the Blue River, at the aptly named Blue Pools.^[4] Cameron Flat Campground is a convenient campsite with a cooking shelter and bathrooms directly off State Highway 6.^{[citation needed]}

Gallery

• 
  Cameron Flat Campground
• 
  The Makarora River near West Makarora township
• 
  The Makarora River at Courtneys Flat
• 
  Aerial

See also

• List of rivers of New Zealand