Lake Wilkie

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Lake Wilkie
Lake Wilkie -
Location the Catlins, South Island
Coordinates 46.580309° S 169.438813° ECoordinates: 46.580309° S 169.438813° E
Basin countries New Zealand
Surface area 1.7 ha (4.2 acres)

Lake Wilkie is a small, scenic lake near Tautuku Bay in the Catlins, south of Dunedin, New Zealand. It formed behind sand dunes after the last ice age, and has gradually shrunk to its current size of 1.7 hectares (4.2 acres). Bog lakes like Lake Wilkie are uncommon in this part of the country. Lake Wilkie is also unusual in being populated by a tiny introduced frog.

The lake is only a short walk from the road. Along the track are several signs explaining the succession of different plants as land is slowly reclaimed. The full transition from sphagnum moss to mature forest occurs in only 65 m (210 ft).