Benmore Hydro-Dam

Benmore Dam is the largest earthen dam in the country and second largest producer of hydroelectricity. It was completed in 1965 and at the time was Aotearoa New Zealand’s biggest ever construction project.

Benmore Lake, which was artificially created by the dam, is about 74km² and holds about 1.25 billion cubic meters of water – that’s 1.5 times the water in Wellington Harbour!

You can walk, cycle or drive across the dam and there are parking and viewing areas at either end. This seasonal landscape presents strong variations and contrasts of colour and is worth a stop any time of year.

Also, don’t miss the Benmore Peninsula walk just up the hill for amazing views of the lake and Mt Cook in the distance.