8 best things to do in Lake Tekapo
In 24 hours, you can cover the top activities in Tekapo, New Zealand.
The Church of the Good Shepherd
On any South Island road trip, you’re likely to pass through Tekapo.
The small town is located at the southern tip of a lake of the same name in the Mackenzie district in the South Island. Lake Tekapo sits at the foothills of the Southern Alps, with the tawny mountain ranges often reflected in the bright blue water.
Tekapo is a popular stop on the route between Christchurch and Queenstown. As well as stunning scenery, there are many places to stay and things to do in Tekapo, making it an an activity hub.
I’ve visited Tekapo many times on road trips around the South Island. It’s pretty — but (controversially?) I think it only deserves a quick stop.
Keep reading to find hear my honest opinion about visiting Tekapo.
jump ahead.
Short on time? In 24 hours or less, you can check off the must-do activities in Tekapo:
Stroll around the lakefront and see the Church of the Good Shepherd
Go stargazing at night, either wing it or check out Chameleon Stargazing to understand the night sky in more depth.
Visit the Astro Cafe at the Mt John Observatory for coffee, views, and walks
A quick guide to Lake Tekapo
The rich, blue colour Lake Tekapo is famous for — I last visited in early April, and the autumn/fall colours were already showing
Lake Tekapo is about 3 hours from Christchurch and 3 hours from Queenstown, making it a must-visit destination from both towns.
What makes Tekapo so special?
Lake Tekapo is famous because of the incredible blue water, which contrasts beautifully with the surrounding mountains, and for the small church on the edge of the lake. It’s also a popular place for star gazing, thanks to its location in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve.
Is it worth seeing Lake Tekapo?
Autumn/fall colours around the footbridge
My short answer is yes, it’s worth seeing the lake.
Tekapo is conveniently located halfway between Christchurch and Queenstown, on State Highway 8. You can’t miss it, so it’s well worth stopping here on a South Island road trip.
The caveat is that you don’t need to stop for long.
You only need one night in Tekapo, as you can easily visit the small town and lake front in 24 hours. This will give you enough time to see the lake, admire the church, and head up Mount Saint John for the view.
In the evening, go stargazing. The next morning you can choose one of the walks to do around Tekapo and by midday you’ll be ready to head to your next stop.
Truly — there’s not much more to do than that, unless you plan on using Tekapo as a base for visiting Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
When is the best time to visit Lake Tekapo?
In late March and April, the lake front is lined with trees changing colour
The most popular time to visit Lake Tekapo is from late spring (November) to early autumn (March). During these months, the weather is warmest and the famous lupins are blooming around the lake.
However, Tekapo is also beautiful in winter, when snow dusts the mountains and lakeshore. The winter months (June to September) also offer clearer, darker skies for stargazing.
Why is Tekapo’s water so blue?
The primary reason for the intense blue colour of Lake Tekapo's water is the presence of fine rock flour, produced by glaciers at the head of the lake grinding over rocks. The glacial silt stays suspended in the lake water rather than settling at the bottom.
I found the blue of Pukaki to be more impressive than Lake Tekapo though — to my eyes Pukaki looked like a lighter sky blue, while Tekapo is a darker cobalt.
Can you swim in Lake Tekapo?
Lake Tekapo has gravelly beaches close to the township, where it’s safe to swim in summer.
You can swim in Tekapo all year round but it can be chilly — the water temperature of the lake dips to around 6 °C (42.8°F) in September and warms up to around 17 °C (62°F) in January.
Good to know | You might see or hear Tekapo referred to as Takapō, which is the original Māori name for the lake. Some businesses have embraced the original name, while others stick to the misspelled Englishified version.
What I really think about Lake Tekapo
Tekapo is, dare I say it, a little bit of a tourist trap.
The tiny town is one of the main pit stops between Christchurch and Queenstown, so it gets very busy during peak months.
You’ll see a lot of people doing photo shoots down by the lake, and seeing swarms of people surround the tiny church is a little hilarious.
I’m sharing this opinion because I want to give a fair picture of what to expect. I don’t want you to get there and realise that all the photos of lupin fields you saw are just cleverly angled photos!
Lake Tekapo is truly beautiful though. My advice is embrace the touristy-ness and do a photo shoot of your own, along with some of the other cool things to do in Tekapo.
It’s worth visiting Lake Tekapo for one day, as it’s a convenient stop on a road trip from Christchurch to Queenstown.
The best things to do in Lake Tekapo
1. Go star gazing in Lake Tekapo
Cost: From $65 with Chameleon Stargazing or $159 with the Dark Sky Project
Tekapo is special thanks to its location in the middle of the Aoraki/Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve.
The Mackenzie region has some of the clearest, most spectacular night skies in the world. This dark sky reserve was the third to be recognised in the world and is the dark sky largest reserve in the Southern Hemisphere.
The night sky in Lake Tekapo is exceptionally clear, with very little light pollution. If you’re very lucky, you might even get to see the Southern Lights from Tekapo.
You can go stargazing in Tekapo by simply heading to the lake shore at night (rug up warm!) and staring up at the sky. On moonless, clear nights you can see the vast sweep of the Milky Way.
However, if you are really interested in astronomy, you’ll get a lot more out of a tour.
Telescopes on tours can help you see many more deep sky objects than you can by star gazing by yourself without a powerful telescope.
For a curated experience, you can visit the observatory located on the mountain rising next to the lake. Nowhere offers a better view of the night sky than the summit of Mount John, reached by a 15 minute drive from Tekapo town.
At 1,029 metres high, Mount John offers 360-degree views which are just as impressive at night time as they are during the day.
The Dark Sky Project offers a star gazing experience from the Mount John observatory, guided by astronomy experts. You’ll see the night sky in a new light, with stories drawn from Maori astronomy illuminating the Southern skies.
Using the telescopes in the observatory, you’ll be able to see the Milky Way, planets, star clusters, and even galaxies.
The whole experience costs $159 for adults and lasts for 1 hour 45 minutes.
A more budget-friendly option for stargazing in Tekapo is to go with Chameleon Stargazing. Their tours start from $65 per person, with a 90 minute tour that includes hot chocolate, marshmallows, and photos of you with the night sky.
Chameleon’s whole focus is on having a small, personalised experience, so it’s also a great option if you like friendly customer experience.
If stargazing is one of the top things you want to do in Tekapo, I recommend staying at least two nights, in case of bad weather. If the clouds close in, you might need to move your stargazing tour to the following night.
The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is supported by huge efforts from the community. There are lighting ordinances across the district to help protect the pristine night skies, including initiatives like dark sky friendly street lamps — this is the only region in New Zealand to have warm, amber streetlights.
One fact I love about the reserve is that the lack of light pollution allows insects and other creatures to thrive. (I wrote about this in more detail for Atlas Obscura, if you’re interested).
This means that supporting the reserve is in a way a form of eco-tourism — all living things benefit from less light pollution, including humans. See if you notice a better night’s sleep in the pitch black of the reserve!
2. Walk the lakefront and admire the blue water
The lakefront is rocky and somewhat covered in weeds, but the water is stunning
When you first get to Tekapo, the first thing you’ll do is walk around the lakefront to admire the colour of the water.
The Maclaren Footbridge (see it on Google Maps here) gives you a good vantage point, as does Pines Beach in Lake Tekapo Regional Park.
It takes around 30 minutes to walk from the bridge, to the Church of the Good Shepherd, to Pines Beach.
The lake looks stunning in any weather, so no need to worry about the forecast. On more overcast days, though, the surface of the lake can look more silver than blue.
The light on the lake and the mountains changes throughout the day, so it’s worth waking up early for sunrise or sticking around for the sunset.
And if you can’t resist the temptation of the blue water, go ahead and jump in — it’s safe to swim in Lake Tekapo.
If you have kids, check out the playground on the waterfront. There’s an epic looking flying fox there that looks right out at the lake — I was tempted to have a go myself.
3. Stop by the Church of the Good Shepherd
Taking a few photos of the Church of the Good Shepherd is a must-do activity in Tekapo.
It’s a bit cheesy and underwhelming — most of the photos you see are artfully angled so you can’t see the town in the background or the many people strolling around the tiny church.
But even so, it’s a pretty photo spot and you’ll walk past it anyway if you’re exploring the lakefront.
The best time to go is early in the morning — sunrises at Lake Tekapo can be epic — or later in the evening. If you’re into astrophotography, it’s also a great place for taking photos after dark.
One of the most popular things to do in Tekapo is to visit the sheepdog memorial that stands near the Church of the Good Shepherd.
It might seem unremarkable at first, but the story behind the dog is a good reminder of the history of the area.
Scottish shepherds came to work on farms in the Mackenzie country in the 1800s, bringing with the ‘canine Scots’ — border collies.
The rugged and hostile high country would have been impossible to farm without the collies, so the statue was put in place by farmers in 1968 to recognise the contribution of their four legged friends.
You might notice other Scottish influences as you’re travelling around the South Island.
The Otago region’s Scottish origins are apparent in names like ‘Dunedin’, which is an older version of ‘Edinburgh’, and Invercargill, which includes the Gaelic word for river mouth, ‘inver’, familiar from names like Inverness.
In some parts of the South Island, you might even hear Scottish influence in the New Zealand accent — some Southlanders roll their ‘r’s, a relic of the Scottish English once spoken around here.
4. Spot lupins along the lakefront
I found these flowers on the edge of a parking lot and loved the contrast with fall colours.
I have a somewhat embarrassing confession to make.
The first time I visited Lake Tekapo was to see the lupins flowering.
It’s a long way to go from Auckland to see patches of weeds. Regardless, the lupins are pretty, and a main draw in Tekapo.
If you’re visiting Tekapo in spring or early summer — between November and early January — you can see the lupins flowering.
They grow around the lakefront near town, so you’ll see them easily, although they aren’t the lush flower fields most photos would have you believe. They grow in clumps and often it’s some clever camera placement making them look a lot more dense.
The lake colour also contrasts with the purple lupin flowers.
There is also a lupin field on the outskirts of town, where you can take some great photos — see the location on Google maps here.
These flowers are a little controversial. They are a noxious weed and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are working to eradicate them. This means you don’t need to worry about trampling all over them to get your shot.
5. Head up to the Mount John Observatory for coffee, cake, and a view
During the day, the Mount John Observatory provides an excellent view of Lake Tekapo. The observatory is only a 15-minute drive from Tekapo town.
Note that there is an $8 entry fee per vehicle to drive up to the observatory.
The Astro Cafe at the observatory is a great spot to go for morning or afternoon tea.
Get yourself a drink and a snack and admire the sweeping views of Lake Tekapo below.
You can also walk from the cafe along trails crisscrossing the golden hillside, which is a nice way to get some steps in if you don’t fancy hiking up the Mount John Walkway.
If driving up to the observatory feels like cheating (or you just don’t want to pay the entry fee) the Tekapo Mount John Walkway makes a great half day hike.
The 9 kilometre loop takes around 3 hours - definitely long enough to deserve a treat from the Astro Cafe at the top.
Starting from the lakeshore, just past Tekapo Springs, the trail climbs through forest until it reaches the Mount John Observatory and lookout point. You walk back down the same way.
6. See more of the High Country on a 4WD tour with Tekapo Adventures
Photo courtesy of Tekapo Adventures
If you want to experience more of Tekapo’s beautiful and wild high country, you can go on a truly off the beaten track trip with Tekapo Adventures.
Tekapo Adventures typically offers guided 4WD tours that take you deep into the backcountry and remote areas surrounding Lake Tekapo.
You can expect stunning views of the Southern Alps, alpine meadows, and pristine lakes, as well as the thrill of charging across the mountains in the rugged vehicles.
Out in the high country mountains, the only traffic you’ll come across are sheep, and colourful storytelling from the guides will give you insight into a way of life not often seen by tourists.
7. Go on a horse ride with Mackenzie Alpine Horse Trekking
See the gorgeous Tekapo landscapes from a saddle with Mackenzie Alpine Horse Trekking. This is a proper high country experience.
There are a range of options available depending on how confident a rider you are. No matter which option you go for, the back of a horse makes a great vantage point for enjoying the Mackenzie Country scenery.
8. Bathe in hot pools while you look up at the stars
// $119 for an adult
// 1.5 hours
// Book your Tekapo stargazing experience here
Tekapo Star Gazing is the only guided hot pools and star gazing experience in New Zealand.
It’s certainly unique — from the hot pools at Tekapo Springs, you can gaze up at the pristine skies of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve while a guide introduces constellations and galaxies through astronomy and storytelling.
Bobbing around in a floating hammock, staring at the blue black expanse above, you’ll feel as if the stars are swimming all around you — like you’re falling upward into the dark.
Tekapo Springs is also open during the day for a relaxing soak in their hot water, but I personally feel the night time experience is more unique.
Where to eat in Tekapo
For breakfast or lunch, The Greedy Cow Cafe is your best option in Tekapo.
I stopped by and grabbed a pie for lunch and scoffed it in minutes.
The cabinet is packed with classic New Zealand foods (pies, rolls, all the goodies) and the coffee is much better than what you would normally expect in a small town.
If you haven’t already tried a flat white, you should give it a go — it’s one of the most iconic drinks to try while in New Zealand.
As well as the Astro Cafe and the Greedy Cow Cafe, one of the best places to eat in Tekapo is the Blue Lake Eatery & Bar.
This is a great spot for dinner, with a menu that features local produce and a range of homemade breads and sauces.
Blue Lake is also home to one of New Zealand's smallest breweries, Burkes Brewing Co, which produces unique beers from quality ingredients.
If you’re travelling on a budget, a word of warning; Tekapo is an expensive place to eat. Even the local Four Square supermarket seemed a lot more expensive than usual (it’s the same at the Fresh Choice in Te Anau — these supermarkets can charge more because they are in remote, but popular, locations).
So stock up on groceries in Queenstown or Christchurch (Pak’n Save is the cheapest).
Where to stay in Lake Tekapo
Tekapo offers a range of accommodation, from hostels to hotels.
The YHA has incredible lake views for budget-friendly prices.
You can also find some epic places to stay that are geared toward stargazing. Galaxy Boutique Hotel, for example, has skylights in its upper suites, so you can stare straight up at the stars from your bed.
How to get to Lake Tekapo
The easiest way to get to Tekapo is by driving in your own vehicle. It’s a three hour drive from both Christchurch and Queenstown.
Driving in either direction is a scenic and stunning trip, with plenty of places to stop along the way, so it will likely take you a lot longer than just three hours — I would schedule a whole day to get from either Christchurch or Queenstown to Tekapo.
Tekapo is also on the Intercity bus route, so you can catch a bus from either Christchurch or Queenstown to Tekapo.
Thanks for reading this far!
I hope these recommendations on what to do in Tekapo were helpful in planning your trip.
Before you go, take a look at the best things to do in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park — Mt Cook is only an hour and 15 minutes from Tekapo, and is another essential stop on a road trip from Christchurch to Queenstown.
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