Hogsback topographic map

The glacial feed to the lakes gives them a distinctive blue colour, created by glacial flour, the extremely finely ground rock particles from the glaciers. Lake Pukaki covers an area of 178.7 km2 (69.0 sq mi), and the surface elevation of the lake normally ranges from 518.2 to 532 metres (1,700 to 1,745 ft)…

Average elevation: 2,907 ft

Average elevation: 217 ft

Average elevation: 1,808 ft

Average elevation: 82 ft

Average elevation: 604 ft

Average elevation: 2,005 ft

Average elevation: 30 ft

Average elevation: 56 ft

Average elevation: 725 ft

Average elevation: 463 ft

Average elevation: 1,365 ft

The special character of flora and fauna in the region was recognised prior to 1920. One particular example is the Gouland Downs, an area with unusual geology and vegetation, situated at around 600 m (2,000 ft) elevation to the west of Mt Perry. The Gouland Downs was one of eleven sanctuaries designated by the…

Average elevation: 1,109 ft

The névé or snowfield at the head of Franz Josef Glacier is over 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) above sea level and 20 square kilometres (7.7 sq mi) in area. This wide névé, which is over 300 metres (980 ft) deep, feeds large amounts of compacted snow into a steep and narrow valley which drops quickly to very low…

Average elevation: 5,607 ft

Average elevation: 2,664 ft

With a length of 80 kilometres (50 mi), it is New Zealand's longest lake, and, at 289 km2 (112 sq mi), its third largest. The lake is also very deep, its floor being below sea level (−110 metres), with a maximum depth of 420 metres (1,380 ft). It is at an altitude of 310 metres (1,020 ft), towards the…

Average elevation: 3,123 ft

Average elevation: 1,155 ft

Average elevation: 1,742 ft

Average elevation: 1,529 ft

Average elevation: 876 ft

Average elevation: 1,027 ft

Average elevation: 499 ft

Average elevation: 171 ft

Average elevation: 95 ft

Average elevation: 33 ft

Average elevation: 243 ft

Although the clay soil is not very fertile, the high rainfall and warm weather mean that the island is densely forested throughout. Native plants include the world's southernmost dense forest of podocarps (southern conifers) and hardwoods such as rātā and kāmahi in the lowland areas with mānuka shrubland…

Average elevation: 207 ft

Average elevation: 1,266 ft

Average elevation: 341 ft

Average elevation: 52 ft

Average elevation: 2,228 ft

Average elevation: 102 ft

Average elevation: 108 ft

Average elevation: 144 ft

Average elevation: 469 ft

Average elevation: 384 ft

Average elevation: 131 ft

Average elevation: 157 ft

Average elevation: 39 ft

Average elevation: 112 ft

Average elevation: 243 ft

Average elevation: 276 ft

Average elevation: 13 ft

Average elevation: 220 ft

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Average elevation: 30 ft

Average elevation: 69 ft

Average elevation: 2,149 ft

Average elevation: 33 ft

Average elevation: 95 ft

Average elevation: 1,365 ft

Average elevation: 1,562 ft

Average elevation: 23 ft

Average elevation: 4,045 ft

Average elevation: 33 ft

Average elevation: 89 ft

Average elevation: 98 ft

Average elevation: 112 ft

Average elevation: 1,050 ft

Average elevation: 10 ft

Average elevation: 3,005 ft

Average elevation: 30 ft

Average elevation: 49 ft

Average elevation: 59 ft

Average elevation: 5,308 ft

Average elevation: 1,240 ft

Average elevation: 180 ft

Average elevation: 210 ft

Average elevation: 131 ft

Average elevation: 5,463 ft

Average elevation: 807 ft

Average elevation: 3,570 ft

Average elevation: 3 ft

Average elevation: 394 ft

Average elevation: 528 ft

Average elevation: 72 ft

Average elevation: 36 ft

Average elevation: 1,742 ft

Average elevation: 161 ft