LakeWakatipu, an inland lake, occupies a deep valley carved into the surrounding mountains by ancient glaciers. Settlements around the lake shore include Queenstown and the villages of Glenorchy, Kingston and Kinloch. The Dart and ReesRivers flow into the northern end of the lake; the KawarauRiver handles the outflow. Because of its unusual shape, LakeWakatipu has a 'tide' (or standing wave), which causes the water to rise and fall about every 25 minutes.
