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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 8, Issue 9 (January 1, 1934)

The Lake That Breathes

The Lake That Breathes.

Lake Wakatipu is called “the Lake that breathes.” Every few minutes the lake rises and falls from 3 to 6 inches. The cause of this phenomenon is not known, but is believed to be due to the jerky outlet of the water at the Kawarau Dam, five miles away from Queenstown. Many little Maori children will tell you that it is the heart-beat of Giant Rakaihaitu who lies sleeping on the bed of Lake Wakatipu.

At night-time the steam ship “Earnslaw” blows its siren, turns on gay music and carries away a cargo of laughing holidaymakers across the velvety black lake to dance away the happy hours in the starlight.

In the day-time the steamer cruises up to the head of the lake, an excursion which you simply must not miss; once you have been there, you will know why. Many parts of the bush are walled in with unclimbed and un-named peaks which are an everlasting joy to visitors and a challenge to mountaineers.

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