It is adjacent to the Mangawhai Forest [ceb] and near Te Ārai Regional Park.

[4] The lake was created when the Te Ārai sand dunes began to build up, preventing water from escaping the area.

[6] The lake has no inflow streams, and is instead fed by rainwater and the surrounding wetlands.

[5] The lake is a part of the Tomarata ⁠— Te Ārai Dune Lakes biodiversity focus area,[5] and is surrounded by extensive wetlands.

[6] The lake is home to many threatened bird species, such as the New Zealand fernbird, Eurasian bittern and the Buff-banded rail.