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Deep within New Zealand's Nelson Lakes National Park, about a two-day hike from the nearest civilization, lies Rotomairewhenua, or Blue Lake.
It was first discovered by Ngāti Apa, a Māori iwi, or tribe. It became a sacred place where they cleansed the bones of the dead, believing this would secure the spirit a safe journey to the ancestral Māori homeland of Hawaiki.
Hikers have long commented on the lake's extraordinary color, but it was only around a decade ago that scientists discovered that the water of the sub-alpine lake had "exceptional optical purity" with a visibility of between 70 and 80 meters. That's in line with that of pure water, which they said made it "the most visually clear freshwater yet reported."
The title of "clearest lake in the world" and photos of the stunning landscape have since been shared widely on social media, making the lake a popular tourist destination between December and March (during New Zealand's summer). But conservationists and the Ngāti Apa now fear that this increased popularity could threaten the purity of the lake.
Read more at the link in @cnntravel's bio.
📸: Janet Newell; John Wotherspoon; Paul Bryant/Genesis Energy Ltd
