Top Activities and Things To Do in Lake Tekapo - Beautiful Vacation and Holidays in New Zealand
Lake Tekapo is a popular place for travelers to stop by during their long drive from Christchurch to Queenstown.
While some people spend their time stretching out their legs and taking some photos by the lake along their way, lake Tekapo is a great getaway destination in its own right with plenty of locations and activities to keep you occupied. Here are 14 wonderful things to try in Lake Tekapo, in the list below!
1. CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
The most famous landmark in Tekapo, if not in the whole of the South Island. The Church of the Good Shepherd is one of the most photographed locations in New Zealand - being here will transcend you into a sort of a fairytale. This humble little church has arguably the most beautiful backdrop possible, with the blue lake and the Southern Alps and mountain ranges. It is a breathtaking site and is worth the visit alone.
2. Photoshoots at Lake Tekapo
Couples from all over the world visit Tekapo to have their Wedding and Pre-Wedding Photoshoots, and they have every reason to do so - it is just so beautiful in Tekapo especially in Summer!
3. LUPINS, LUPINS AND MORE LUPINS!
If you time your visit right (between November – February) you’ll be able to enjoy the blossoming and beautiful lupins in and around the lake. The lupins aren’t native to New Zealand and are actually considered a bit of a nuisance to the environment. No one can deny their beauty however with their shades of pink, purple and violet that pop out in the landscape like jewels in the light of the golden sun.
4. LAKE TEKAPO REGIONAL PARK
Lake Tekapo also has a regional park which carries its name and offers a wide variety of things to do. The 165-hectare park has 24 km of walking and cycling tracks with lush forests and amazing sceneries of the lake to take in. There’s also has an orienteering trail, swimming spots and a dog park too. It’s a great spot to bring or hire a kayak as well.
5. COWANS HILL WALKWAY
Given the pristine scenery of the region, it comes as no surprise that there are a number of fantastic walks to discover and experience. One of these is the Cowans Hill Walkway, a 1-2 hour walk that takes you to the top of Cowans Hill. Enroute you’ll walk along a river bank, cross a bridge and enter a forest plantation up towards the summit. There, you’ll enjoy 360 degree, panoramic views of Lake Tekapo and all that’s around.
6. MT JOHN SUMMIT TRACK
For perhaps a more serious tramper in need of a challenge, the Mt John Summit Track is a decent step up (literally). It’s a 90-minute hike through a variety of terrains including forest and tussock hills. It zig-zags quite steeply in parts up towards the summit and so requires a decent level of fitness but the rewarding views are well worth it.
7. MT JOHN UNIVERSITY OBSERVATORY
After your walk on the Mt John Summit Track you’re conveniently placed to pop along to the Mt John University Observatory. The night skies around Lake Tekapo are particularly clear (more on this later) and the observatory is perfectly placed to take advantage of this. You can join their informative evening tour where you’ll be shown (and get to use_ their equipment, including their powerful Earth & Sky telescopes!
8. STARGAZING IN THE DARK SKY RESERVE
Lake Tekapo sits within the Aoraki/Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve – a classification that is given to places with the clearest skies in the world. This makes it the perfect place to visit for all those astrophotographers out there with the literally millions of stars above. If you’re not a pro but still want to experience it there are also plenty of local stargazing tours you can join within the region and the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park where you’ll be shown the way.
9. LAKE ALEXANDRINA
Even though Lake Tekapo is the name of the place, it’s not the only lake in the area with another being the smaller Lake Alexandrina. Like Lake Tekapo, it’s surrounded by beauty and has plenty to offer despite its size. It’s a very serene and peaceful lake and is a great option to avoid larger crowds that can gather at Lake Tekapo. The water is deep and reflects the landscape wonderfully, great for the photos. You can even take a rowboat out on it which is equally relaxing.
10. JET BOAT
For something with a kick of adrenaline, you can’t go past a Jet boat experience which is exactly what you can do in Tekapo. It’s a thrilling way to see the waters of the lake, up close and personal (maybe too close for some). Each trip takes an hour (including pick-up/drop-off) with a journey that takes you around Motuariki Island in the middle of the lake.
11. TROUT AND SALMON FISHING
If you are by chance a fishing enthusiast then you’ll be able to discover and enjoy some great spots in Tekapo for sure. There’s an abundance of waterways, rivers, streams and creeks to seek out and choose your own great little spot. Some good places to start are Tekapo River, Tekapo Canal and Lake Alexandrina but the locals will know a few other secret locations if you can befriend them for the information..
12. TEKAPO SPRINGS
One of the most popular attractions in town is Tekapo Springs, a fantastic facility that offers a range of water activities and services with incredible views to boot. With hot pools, spas, water slides, steam rooms, saunas and more, they basically have everything covered for everyone. They even boast an ice skating rink and a snow tube park in the winter so you can have fun no matter what time of year it is. As a GO Rentals customer, you can also get an upgrade on a steam and sauna experience using your GO Play Card as an added bonus!
13. SCENIC FLIGHT
Last but not least, the ultimate premium experience is to take to the skies with a scenic flight over the region. The perspective you’ll enjoy from the air will be nothing short of epic with a memorable experience guaranteed. There is also a number of ways you can do this too either by plane, helicopter or glider! All three options are discounted with the just-mentioned GO Play Card so be sure to check them out!