Lake Tekapo Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)

Lake Tekapo & Church of Good Shepherd

On a sunny day, we drove from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo. It took about three hours. We came across some small towns on the way but we had no time to stop. When we arrived, we walked to the historic Church of the Good Shepherd. This small stone church is very unique. If you want to go inside, you must pay attention to the opening hours: Tuesday morning 9-8pm; Sunday 4pm-5pm. We arrived on Wednesday so we didn't get a chance to visit. Then we walked along The Tekapo Lake, the lake was calm, very blue, very beautiful! The Church and the Lake were such scenic spots that worth taking more photos. If you have plenty of travel time, or if you like stargazing, you can consider staying one night to participate in stargazing or soaking in hot springs for a fee. #nice lithle town #stargazing

This was such a fun hike! Luckily we had enough warm clothes with us because we definitely underestimated the cold weather! Also, if you want to go there don‘t forget to bring snacks.

【Five-Day Tour Guide to South Island, New Zealand】

South Island, New Zealand, a place full of natural beauty and cultural atmosphere. In five days, I will take you around every corner of the South Island to feel the unique charm of this land. 📍Day One: Christchurch-Tekapo Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island, where we first feel the pulse of the city. Visit the city's attractions in Christchurch and feel the unique cultural atmosphere of this large city on the South Island. Then, drive to Tekapo, quietly admire the beauty of the Good Shepherd Church, as if in a painting. At night, we will sleep under the stars. ✨Free visit to attractions, feel the charm of Christchurch's modern and ancient intertwined. 📍Day Two: Tekapo-Mount Cook In the early morning, we will enjoy the beautiful sunrise on the shore of Lake Pukaki. The white clouds and blue sky on the lake form the beauty of the "Blue Milk Lake". Then, we will go to Mount Cook, hike on the Hooker Trail, and feel the majesty of the mountains. At the foot of the mountain, we will also taste local fresh salmon and oysters. In the evening, we will arrive at the small fruit town of Cromwell, buy fresh fruits at the local fruit stand, and take a walk in the rose garden. ✨The beauty of Mount Cook is stunning, making people feel like they are in a fairyland. 📍Day Three: Queenstown-Wanaka Queenstown, a place full of vitality and food. Here, we can try various exciting experiences such as skydiving, paragliding, boating, cable cars, etc. The old buildings and history of Arrowtown seem to take us back to the gold rush era. The Kawarau Bridge is the birthplace of bungee jumping. Jumping down from here with your loved one will become an unforgettable memory. Finally, we will watch the sunset under the lonely tree of Lake Wanaka. ✨The activities in Queenstown make people's hearts beat faster, while Arrowtown and Kawarau Bridge make people feel the weight and romance of history. 📍Day Four: Fox Glacier Town-Joseph Glacier Town Today, we will visit the glacier town. The beautiful scenery of Fox Glacier Town is unforgettable, and the crystal clear Lake Matheson is intoxicating. Here, we can enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature. ✨The beauty of the glacier town is amazing, and the power and beauty of nature are perfectly combined here. 📍Day Five: Hokitika-Greymouth-Christchurch On the last day, we will go to Hokitika to enjoy this beautiful valley fairyland. Here, we will be deeply attracted by the beautiful scenery of the valley. Then, we will go to Castle Hill, where the strange rocks on the hillside form a spectacular castle. On the way back, we will pass through Christchurch, putting a perfect end to this South Island trip. ✨The beauty and magic of the South Island are unforgettable, looking forward to the next journey.

The lupins in New Zealand are about to bloom in spring, are you sure you don't want to come and see?

In this vibrant spring, the lupins are blooming vigorously on the shores of Lake Tekapo, like a brilliant palette of nature. Under the contrast of the distant blue sky and the snowy Southern Alps, it further highlights its unique charm. The melted glacier water gathers next to the Shepherd's Church, flows down, and falls into the milky blue Lake Tekapo. Every drop of water tells the grandeur and tranquility of nature. This sea of lupins has almost become one of the symbols of New Zealand. From November to January of the following year, countless tourists from home and abroad flock to the South Island of New Zealand, hoping to leave unforgettable memories in this sea of flowers. Walking by the lake, feeling the solemnity and sacredness of the Shepherd's Church, it seems that time freezes at this moment, making people intoxicated in this beautiful scenery. And in this brilliant sea of lupins, it makes people feel the wonder of nature and the power of life. Come to the shore of Lake Tekapo, let's feel this beautiful sea of lupins together! And the best way to experience this trip is to choose self-driving, which is very convenient in New Zealand. A translation of the Chinese driver's license is enough, and many platforms offer free translations. As long as you bring your Chinese driver's license and translation, you can rent a car and drive in New Zealand! I will tell you the precautions for self-driving and the route of self-driving in the next issue, remember to follow up!

🇳🇿 Lake Tekapo,New Zealand for stargazing🌟

#wheretogo When we heard of Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, only two things came into our minds - stargazing and hotspring. This spot is very photogenic both day and night. It is also art of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing. During the day, we looked from the beautiful Church of the Good Shepherd across the turquoise coloured lake to the mountainous drama of the Southern Alps. The scenery was stunning！I would advised to get there early in the morning as crowds started to come in the late morning. The legendary night sky in Lake Tekapo offers the perfect opprtunity to spot stars. It is something that we can hardly do in other countries.#timetotravel #newzealand #stargazing

Situated on the shores of Lake Takapō amongst the natural beauty of the lake and the mountains, the Church of the Good Shepherd was built to the glory of God and as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie Country. Picturesque by day and dazzling by night, Lake Tekapo is part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing. Definitely a must go place when you are travelling to NZ South Island! #tekapo #newzealand #travel #holiday

Snippets Of Attractions In Christchurch

New Zealand is a dream destination for many who loves the outdoors, mountain backdrops and instaworthy shots. There are 2 islands one in the North Island and one in the south island. Christchurch is a place located in the south and caters more for the adventure seekers who loves beautiful hikes, overlooking the mountain backdrops and also the many quiet soothing scenic walks. There are a few popular attraction in Christchurch are the gorgeous looking Mountcook and Lake Tekapo, The wanaka tree with the backdrop of the lake, the tasman glacier walk and many more. Before heading to Christchurch, it is recommended to plan your roadtrip to ensure you travel plans are efficient and you do not spend too much time on the road. #bucketlistreboot #newzealand #christchurch #naturescapes #naturalwonders #mustvisit #mountains #hikes #scenic #holidayvacation

Lake Tekapo

Getting There - New Zealand; Christchurch Airport Attractions - Lake Tekapo, The Church of the Good Shepherd Hotels - Mantra Lake Tekapo Food & Restaurants - Blue Lake Eatery & Bar A good getaway from the city area. Located in a small town in the southern part of New Zealand. Drive was about 3.5 hours from Christchurch Airport. Amazing display of clear sky with lots of stars. Rare sight in most countries. Weather is below 0 degrees with occasional strong winds, t thick jacket and layering will be advisable. Definitely a recommendable place to visit this holiday. #newzealandtravel #laketekapo #mountcook

New Zealand South Island Self-guided Driving Tour - Mt John Observatory Established by the University of Canterbury, Mt John Observatory is New Zealand's premier astronomical research observatory and the world's first UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve. It is recognized by astronomers all over the world as one of the best places to view the Milky Way, planets, and even distant galaxies.

Mount John in South Island New Zealand offers a stunning view overlooking lake Tekapo from the top of the mountain. During winter it is covered in snow white, so if you are a fan of snow then come during winter time. It is about 45 minutes drive from lake tekapo which is 2 hours drive from Christchurch. Worth your time, worth to go. #wintergetaway #wintergetaway

New Zealand South Island Tour | Tekapo Hot Springs

| Tekapo Hot Springs. Purchase an intercity pass card in New Zealand, take a bus to Lake Tekapo, or drive to YHA. Not far from the drop-off point is YHA Youth Hostel priced at 30 dollars or more per night, online check-in is at 3pm, but you can check in at 12pm~ This time I mainly went to Tekapo Hot Springs, here are some travel tips for you. 🌟Night Market Further ahead of the youth hostel is a small square, which is also the night market (4pm-7pm) stall area, there are souvenir shops and travel shops where you can book trips to Mount Cook and other places, there are Japanese food, Western food, rice noodles, Thai noodles, dim sum coffee. Good Shepherd Church, there is a gathering every Sunday. It's very beautiful during the day, the lake is sky blue and many tourists take pictures. 🌟Hot Springs The ground around the hot springs has already frozen. The entrance is on the slope above the parking lot. You can rent a swimsuit for 5 dollars at the hot springs, 20 dollars deposit, return the receipt and swimsuit to get the deposit back. You can buy tickets online in advance, 35 dollars on the spot at the hot springs, plus 10 dollars for sauna, plus 20 dollars for ice skating, hot springs plus ice skating combo ticket 50 dollars. The hot springs are outdoors directly opposite the changing room, there are 4 pools, the one with the glass wall on the outside is closed, leaving 3 pools with the highest temperature of 38 degrees. On one side of the hot springs, you can see the lake and the snow-capped mountains on the opposite shore, and on the other side, you can be seen by people climbing the mountain behind. Spa services are available for an extra fee. There are shower rooms with shower gel, shampoo and hair dryer, lockers for valuables cost 3 dollars, if you don't rent a locker, you can put it in the changing room or on the lockers in front of and behind the outdoor hot spring door. Closes at 7:30 pm. After the hot springs, walk back to the hostel and enjoy the sunset, arrive at ❤Night Market, the average price of food at the night market is around 5 dollars, within 10 dollars. 🌟Other Facilities and Activities You can book a Chinese stargazing tour, stay in the stargazing area at night, (didn't see any stars by the lake at night), helicopter glacier climbing mtcook❤2 hours, hiking, cycling, etc., there is a bicycle rental shop open from Wednesday to Sunday on the way from the hostel to the hot springs, recommended route is cycling along the lake, if you wish, you can also cycle to the salmon factory and twizel town 20-30 kilometers away. You can swim in the lake but only in designated areas, the lake bottom is mostly small stones~

Hot Pool | Breathtaking 'Fairyland Yaochi' in New Zealand

New Zealand's South Island is always known for its picturesque scenery, every time I go to Tekapo, I am shocked by the beautiful scenery👍. There are snow-capped mountains in winter and lupines in summer, it's really a fairyland on earth✨! This hot spring pool♨ is located in Tekapo on the South Island. It's called Tekapo Springs~ It's my favorite and most beautiful hot spring pool in New Zealand. The site is staggered in height. The appearance is super high. It's fun (there is also a shower play area) the water quality is super good. The scenery is even more amazing (the snow-capped mountains in winter are extraordinary) Looking at lake tekapo and the spectacular mountains, soaking in the hot springs and playing with friends, after getting tired from soaking, you can eat something, then go to the Shepherd's Church⛪ to have a look, and stargaze at night🌟 all in one go (although the hot spring spot also recommends coming at night to soak in the hot springs and stargaze, but from my personal experience, the view at night is mostly covered by the steam from the hot springs, and it's hard to see clearly with the naked eye), it's still recommended to come during the day, it's super beautiful during the day! But remember to protect yourself from the sun~ 📍Address: 6 Lakeside Drive, Lake Tekapo 💰Tickets: Adult price is $27 per person, seniors $22 per person, children $15 per person, family ticket (2 adults 4 children) is $87. Swimsuits and towels can be rented ($5/item) a deposit of $20 is required when renting (refundable upon return). Lockers are $3 for every 3 hours. If you come to Tekapo, I highly recommend it! It's really super beautiful! I personally think it's much better than the Polynesian Spa experience in Rotorua haha

10-Day Deep Tour of South Island, New Zealand, bringing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery and authentic experience of the pure country

Day 1 - Start of the journey across the northern and southern hemispheres ✈️ Depart from Beijing, transfer in Guangzhou to Auckland, then fly to Christchurch. Rent a vehicle from Ezi at the airport, which is economical and has good service. The car rental fee for 10 days is only over 3000 RMB. Stay at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, which is conveniently located, clean, and has a supermarket downstairs for easy shopping. Day 2 - Christchurch to Lake Tekapo Starry Sky Tour 🚗 Drive from Christchurch to Fairelie town and Tekapo, taste the signature pie of Fairlie Bakehouse on the way, a must-try food in South Island! Stay at Lake Blue Water Resort, recommend the lake view room, with beautiful scenery in sight. Visit the Dark Sky Project in the afternoon, enjoy a steak dinner while stargazing, and you can stargaze on your own near the Good Shepherd Church at night or join a Chinese stargazing group. The total driving time is about 3 hours. Day 3 - Explore Mount Cook National Park 🚗 Get up early to go to Astro Cafe to overlook the panoramic view of Lake Tekapo, then taste Mount Cook salmon and find the best shooting spots along the way. Challenge the Hooker Valley Track and Tasman Valley Track in Mount Cook National Park to experience the magnificent scenery of nature. The driving time is about 1 hour. Day 4 - From Mount Cook to Wanaka 🚗 Stay at the beautiful Edgewater Hotel, with a lake in front of the door, enjoy the comfortable life of seeing the lake when you open the door. Visit the famous Lone Tree and try the local creative cuisine at Kika Restaurant. Drive for about 2.5 hours to reach Wanaka. Day 5 - Leisure time in Queenstown 🚗 Arrive in Queenstown and check into the Amity Hotel. Experience paragliding or skydiving adventure in the morning, take the Skyline cable car up the mountain in the afternoon, play skateboard on the mountain top, and enjoy the panoramic view at the buffet restaurant on the mountain top for dinner. The driving time is about 1.5 hours. Day 6 - A leisurely day in Queenstown 🚗 Taste the Ferg burger in Queenstown in the early morning, then visit Deerpark to see wild deer. Walk around the city to buy souvenirs, take a century-old steamboat to watch the sheep shearing show, and enjoy the unique charm of Queenstown. Day 7 - From Queenstown to Te Anau 🚗 Visit Arrowtown, stroll through the historic district, and explore the Te Anau Glowworm Caves in the evening to experience the stunning natural wonders. The total driving time for the day is about 3 hours. Day 8 - Adventure in Milford Sound 🚗 Round trip to Milford Sound to admire one of the eight wonders of the world, the waterfall group, and queue up to taste the local popular pizza in the evening. The round trip driving time is about 3.5 hours. Day 9 - Trip to Dunedin and Oamaru 🚗 Pass through Dunedin to visit the station and the famous slope, then go to Oamaru to watch the super cute little blue penguins return to their nests. The long-distance driving time for this day is about 5 hours, but the scenery along the way is absolutely worth it! Day 10 - End of the perfect journey 🚗 Experience the steam punk style and Victorian-style alleys in Oamaru in the morning, taste the Imperial Fried Chicken before returning to Christchurch. Then return to Christchurch, end the tour of South Island, New Zealand, and fly back to Beijing. The driving time back to Christchurch is about 3 hours, successfully ending the trip to New Zealand. This itinerary is carefully planned and arranged so that travelers can fully appreciate the essence of South Island even if they sleep until they wake up naturally every day. It's comfortable and not rushed, leaving unforgettable memories for your trip to New Zealand! 🎈🎉

Famous attractions - Lake Tekapo Tkapo Lake is located between Christchurch and Queenstown, the famous tourist city of New Zealand's South Island. It is located in the heart of the Mount Cook Basin and MacKenzie. The second place after driving from Christchurch~ The beautiful and charming Lake Tekapo is surrounded by bushes covered with golden sunshine and snow-capped mountains. Originally an untapped glaciers, the unique blue-green rocks in the bottom of Lake Tekapo give the entire lake a dreamy scene. ChurchoftheGoodShepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo This beautiful stone church is located on the shores of Lake Tekapo in New Zealand. The background is a vast landscape, and many newcomers choose to do it here. Wedding . From the window of the church altar, you can see the most spectacular views of the Southern Alps. The beauty here is like the Swiss style, the night is sparsely populated, it is a must for couples and couples. Our hotel is just across the lake - Peppers Bluewater Resort