Sutton Salt Lake walk, Sutton, Dunedin City

Sutton Salt Lake

Dunedin City Walks

Here is an odd and interesting body of water, unusual because it is not always here. And because when it is, it is salty.

Over fifty kilometres as the crow flies from the coast, and a lot further by road, the salt water of Sutton Salt Lake is an oddity that owes it's status to the ancient geology of it's bed. The rock is schist and the mud on top features halite and gypsum. Salinity of the lake water, when it is present, is said to be equal to seawater.

There is no inlet and no outlet for this lake, so it is comprised completely of rainwater, which can evaporate to leave the lakebed of ancient rocks dry. There are few ephemeral lakes in the South Island so easily accessible by road. Simply look for the Kidds Road turnoff at the angled bend at Sutton between Middlemarch and Clark's Junction on State Highway 87.

A flat walk around the lake only takes an hour and there are other cool rooks to clamber upon, and the scenic rock and pillar range for a backdrop.

NZPlaces would love to see your pictures of this lake, which can be experienced as a side trip from the Otago Rail Trail.

Image Credit: Rudolph89

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