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Sutton Salt Lake, Otago, New Zealand. Photo By Rudolph89 –

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Sutton Salt Lake

New Zealand is home to some of the most scenic natural water features and is listed as one of the countries with the most beautiful lakes in the world. It has over 3,000 lakes formed from volcanic craters and glaciers.

New Zealand has two salt lakes, Lake Grassmere and Sutton Salt Lake. Lake Grassmere is located in the northeastern area of South Island while Sutton Lake is located in the southeast South Island. Both lakes have no natural inlets.

Of the two salt lakes, Sutton Salt Lake is the only inland saline lake. It is located in Middlemarch, on the large glacial valley of Strath Taieri. With no outlet and inlets, the water of the lake has saline properties unlike the other inland lakes in New Zealand.

Sutton Lake is surrounded by the breathtaking Rock and Pillar Ranges, the source of the 4^th longest river in New Zealand. The ranges have a 152-kilometer rail trail that is mostly used as a cycling lane and viewpoint of the lake and its surrounding landscape.

When fully covered with water, the lake occupies a total of 2 ha. The best time to visit the salt lake is during the wet seasons in May and September. However, the surrounding animals are most active during the warmer weather.

The self-guided loop walk leading to the lake is short and easy. It is administered by The Department of Conservation which provides the access to it through a reserve. One gets to enjoy the scenic views of nature on their way around the basin and craggy tors on the way back.

1. It Is Located Inside A Reserve

South Island was first declared a Fauna Reserve in 1970 under the Fauna Conservation Act. Its shoreline water is within the South Spencer Gulf Marine Park, a habitat protection zone. The Reserve is managed by the Department of Conservation, New Zealand.

Before reaching the lake, the tourist leaves their vehicles in the car park. They then proceed to a gated entry where they take a stroll down a wide trail wending its way through a yellow grass field.

2. Sutton Salt Lake Forms Annually During The Wet Seasons

The water in Sutton Lake is completely from rainwater. The water basin has no tributaries draining into it nor is it a source of water for any outlet resulting in its saline nature. The Lake dries up during the hot seasons but fills up during the wet seasons.

3. It Is Formed Between Lines of Rocky Outcrops

The Sutton Lake depression is between the rocky outcrops of Rocky and Pillar Ranges. During the winter season, the surrounding hilly landscape is covered by snow.

A 3.5 km trail leads you through mild terrain to a scenic water basin. During the winter season, the lake and snow-capped ranges are a sight to be seen and perfect for lovers of photography. On summer days there is plenty of animals strolling around the reserve.

4. The Sutton Salt Lake Leaves A Mud Pool When It Completely Dries Up

The Sutton Salt Lake is the only Salt Lake in New Zealand. Photo By Ulrich Lange-

During the dry seasons, the lake dries up leaving a display of bare land filled with mud.  The hottest month in South Island has an average temperature of 15⁰C and the average annual rainfall in Otago is half the amount of its nearest coast.

The difference in climatic conditions is attributed to the rainshadow effects of the Rock and Pillar ranges. Additionally, the large surface area of the salt lake and strong winds lead to a high amount of surface evaporation.

5. The Saline Nature Is Of The Sutton Lake Is Caused By Rainwater

Rain drops on the lake surface. Photo by Sourabh yadav –

The water at the lake is saline due to mineral aerosols in rainwater and deposits of the surrounding bedrock that are eroded by wind. Despite having the same ion ratios as seawater, the lake’s salinity is far off from the seawater’s which is four times saltier!

The water at Sutton Lake has a pH of 9 making it highly alkaline. The combination of organic sources, evaporative halite, and metamorphosized sedimentary rocks also contribute to the salinity of the water.

Additionally, the lake’s natural state of constantly refilling and evaporating makes the leftover salt sediments more concentrated therefore increasing the water salinity.

6. Its Closets Beach Is Over 60 Miles Away

Sandfly Bay is located on the Otago Peninsula of New Zealand. Photo By Stug.stug –

Sandfly Bay is a beach located South East of Sutton Lake. The sandy bay is an hour’s ride from Middlemarch which is approximately 61 miles. The beach is on the southern end of the Otago Peninsula.

7. The Sutton Salt Lake Is Located In A Unique Climatic Zone

The difference in New Zealand’s climate is attributed to its diverse landscape. Most of the world’s salt lakes are formed in warmer climatic regions such as arid continental landscapes.

Unlike the majority of salt lakes, Sutton Salt Lake is located in New Zealand’s windy cool temperate maritime climatic zone. The windy nature of its climate is a major contributing factor to the lake’s high evaporation rate.

8. Its Water Is As Clear As Day

Clear Water. Photo Source

On a bright sunny day, the water of Sutton Salt Lake is crystal clear. It is so clear that the bedrock is visible to the naked eye. From its rocky shore, one is able to have a distinct vision of the vastness of the lake and the clarity of its water.

9. The Sutton Salt Lake Has No Aquatic Life

Due to the seasonal nature of Sutton Salt Lake, permanent aquatic life is unable to survive. When the lake dries up, a bare stretch of land filled with grey mud is left behind with no signs of plant or animal life.

The surrounding landscape however is home to skinks, possums, saddleback, osprey, and welcome shallow which are more visible during warm weather compared to colder weather.

10. The Depth Of Sutton Salt Lake Is Less Than 1 Metre Deep

The waters at Sutton Salt Lake are quite shallow. When full of water, the lake is barely a meter deep.

Due to its shallow nature, the waterbed of the lake receives sunlight favorable enough for the growth of aquatic plants. However, Sutton Lake still supports no biodiversity.