Day 26: What to see and do on Lake Tekapo
Reading the list of things to see and do on Lake Tekapo This is how we woke up today after enjoying a visit to Tunnel Beach and the Otago Peninsula yesterday and checking that the weather forecast was not as attractive as we expected in this part of the trip to New Zealand in 36 days.
Stayed at Lake Tekapo Holiday Park, which will be our accommodation at Lake Tekapo a couple of nights and that will also serve as office If it rains the next few days, we organize a breakfast in front of the lake, which gives us enough energy to start the animated day even though the sky does not give us too much confidence.
Something important that we want to comment before continuing with the story of the day and that we have repeated several times, is that renting a motorhome in New Zealand, allows us to make as many changes of plans as we need, adapting to the weather or unforeseen events, something that In a country like this, it often happens.
In this case, the entire list of things to see and do on Lake Tekapo, we have completed it in a couple of days just like the ones we will have in subsequent days at Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook.
To make the organization much easier in this post we want to leave you a logical and optimized route, telling that all the places we saw can be visit on Lake Tekapo in one day.
Remember that if you are interested in making a route through New Zealand by motorhome, we recommend you look at the Motorhome Republic page where you can see all the available motorhome options, prices and even make the reservation directly.
What to see and do on Lake Tekapo
Sometimes eclipsed by its neighbor Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo is one of the places to see in New Zealand essential, not only for its incredible location next to the Aoraki or Mount Cook but also for its impressive blue color that like its neighbor, have become part of the most spectacular New Zealand landscapes.
Although on many occasions the visit is reduced to just a few minutes, we recommend you always have time, to take at least one day to enjoy all the things to see and do on Lake Tekapo Since we are sure that in addition to surprising you, you will fall in love.
Tekapo Lake
Monte John Observatory
With 1030 meters Mount John is one of the great forgotten in this area of the country and we assure you, one of the things to do on Lake Tekapo most recommended. Although it can be accessed on foot, after a climb of almost 3 hours, it is fully accessible by car, so we recommend you choose this last option. After paying 10NZD at the entrance, you will access a winding road that will give you unique views of the surroundings of Lake Tekapo and after 15 minutes you will find yourself in front of the Mount John Observatory, a place that belongs to the Aoraki Mackenzie area and that from 2012 is included in the Dark Sky International Reserve because it is one of the most incredible places in the world to observe the starry sky.
In case you do not want to come at night, the climb at any time of the day is really spectacular since in addition to being able to see the landscapes you can see Lake Tekapo at your feet, with that turquoise blue color that characterizes it. Also, if you have time, do not forget to enjoy a good coffee in the cafeteria in the highest area, with one of the best views in New Zealand.
Landscapes from the Mt. John Observatory
If you want to know more about astronomy and enjoy one of the most spectacular skies that we have been lucky to see on our trips, you can choose to do one of the following guided tours:
Monte John Observatory
Church of the Good Shepherd, one of the places to see on Lake Tekapo
The Church of the Good Shepherd or Church of the Good Shepherd, is without any doubt, one of the most incredible places in New Zealand and how could it be otherwise one of the places to see on Lake Tekapo essential.
Built in 1935, this small church is located next to Lake Tekapo, in addition to having an enviable location, inside it has a surprise as a panoramic window, which we are sure, it will seem brutal.
If you want to visit it with peace of mind we advise you to come first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon as it is the usual stop for organized excursion buses.
Remember that inside you can not take pictures and please show education not only because it is a church, but because of the place where it is located and that many of the people who get there are looking for a moment of peace and tranquility and above all, enjoy one of the most magical places in the world.
Hours: 9h-17h
Church of the Good Shepherd
In addition to a daytime visit, if you are staying at Lake Tekapo or the surrounding area, we advise you to come when the sun has fallen to enjoy in the surroundings of one of the most incredible skies you have ever seen. We assure you that if the day is clear, the show is assured. So much, that is one of the images that you will not forget.
Keep in mind that after the closing time you cannot access the church grounds and it is guarded because sometimes there were tourists who sneaked in to take the typical Instagram photos.
Sunset in the Church of the Good Shepherd
Route through Lake Tekapo
Surrounding the lake or at least half way round is one of the things to do on Lake Tekapo more recommended In case you want to do only part, we recommend you choose the one on the right (Lilybank Rd.) Since it is the one that runs closer to the coast of the lake and has better views.
Most of the road is paved and although there is an area that is sandy, it can be traveled perfectly in a tourism or in a motorhome like the one we were carrying.
Touring Lilybank Rd, one of the things to do on Lake Tekapo
If you have time, take this tour calmly, to be able to stop and enjoy one of the most impressive places to visit on Lake Tekapo. In addition, in this area you can see perfectly the incredible blue so characteristic of this lake and Lake Pukaki, which have made them so iconic of this area of New Zealand.
As a curiosity we will tell you that this color is due to a sediment in the water known as rock flour that formed thousands of years ago when a glacier diverted the course of the lake, causing these particles that currently give this curious and spectacular turquoise color to the water.
Tekapo Lake
Picnic
Perfect complement to the route that we previously proposed, if you have time and this tour coincides with lunch time, there is no better thing what to do on Lake Tekapo have a picnic makeshift With views of heart attack.
Although along the road you will find many places where you can leave the motorhome on the map that we will leave at the end of the post we indicate a perfect area where there is usually no one and that has one of the most impressive views of the lake.
Remember to take all the garbage, do not make fire in the places where it is strictly prohibited and do not camp or spend the night if it is not allowed.
Picnic on Lake Tekapo
Bathe and enjoy the bluest water in the world
And if we talked about the picnic before, now it is time to think about the bathroom and it is that there is nothing better than taking a bath in Lake Tekapo although we must not forget that the water is usually quite cold and that in case of doing so it is always convenient to look carefully in the place where you do or, above all, do not run any danger.
A good area to do so is in front of Lake Tekapo Holiday Park, the accommodation that we recommend in Lake Tekapo and that also have incredible views of a very good area for bathing.
Tekapo Lake
Stroll through the Tekapo village
In the southern part of the lake is the town Tekapo, in which in addition to having one of the best views of the lake you can enjoy the mountain range that on clear days can be seen on the horizon.
Although it is not exactly a large town, it is worth taking a walk and even stopping at a coffee shop for coffee and enjoy another moment Social in an environment where nature is the real protagonist.
It is also the perfect place to stock up as it has a couple of supermarkets, gas station and different restaurants and cafes.
Star observation on Lake Tekapo
Although we mentioned earlier, we want to place special emphasis on stargazing, since this is an unbeatable place for it and one of the things to do on Lake Tekapo more impressive.
Although any point is good for this, except for the town where there is more light pollution, we advise you to choose one of the three places that we discuss below since they are in addition to the most impressive, the most recommended:
- Church of the Good Shepherd
- Some clear point within the route through Lake Tekapo
- Monte John
Stargazing on Lake Tekapo
Remember that in the latter you can book this 2-hour star observation tour at the Mt John Observatory or this Tekapo: immersive astronomy experience.
Milky Way on Lake Tekapo
More practical information to prepare your trip to New Zealand
- 10 essential tips for traveling to New Zealand
- 10 essential places to see in New Zealand
- The best travel insurance for New Zealand
How much time is needed to see Lake Tekapo?
Although in a day you can make the entire list of things to see and do on Lake Tekapo What we have proposed in this post, we believe that it is best to spend two days in the area to enjoy it and get to know it with peace of mind.
However, if you do it in combination with Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook, being so close to each other and considering that the weather in New Zealand is quite unpredictable, we believe that we have 4-5 days in the area It will allow you to know it and also enjoy the place with tranquility.
In case you do not have those days, you can concentrate the visits of Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki in one day and go in the evening to Mount Cook and the next day do one or two trekking.
Tekapo Lake
Where to sleep on Lake Tekapo?
You have different lodging options in Lake Tekapo most of them small hotels in Tekapo town.
In case of going with a motorhome or wanting to stay in a place with views, we advise you to do it in the Lake Tekapo Holiday Park, where you can stay in one of the places with electricity and views for 30NZD a day.
Lake Tekapo Holiday Park
Excursions on Lake Tekapo
In addition to those mentioned above, focused on astronomy, we leave you a selection of different options that can be a perfect complement to the list of things to see and do on Lake Tekapo We have told you.
Lake Tekapo: day pass for hot pools
Scenic flight on Lake Tekapo
Aoraki / Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo day trip from Christchurch
We leave you a map with the locations of all the things to see and do on Lake Tekapo, one of the most amazing places in New Zealand.
Day 27: What to see in Lake Pukaki
