Immediately to the west of the lake is the peak of Mount St Bernard.

[1] Lake Hawdon lies at an altitude of 579 metres (1,900 ft).

[1] The lake is a popular fly fishing site for both brown and rainbow trout.

[2] The small settlement of Craigieburn is immediately to the east of the lake.

[2] The lake was named after Joseph Hawdon, a colonial land owner in Canterbury during the 19th century.