Lake Tekapo

The Lake That Stops You in Your Tracks

That colour. Lake Tekapo is one of those places where you pull over, stare for a bit, and feel a little embarrassed that you weren't expecting it to be quite this good. The best view is from height, and the Mount John walkway is the way to go. It's a solid walk up, shaded for a good chunk of it, and once you're on top the views fan out in every direction. Worth taking your time up there if the day is clear. You can drive up too, but the walk earns the view a bit more.

The Church and the Lupins

The Church of the Good Shepherd is worth a visit but go at sunrise or sunset and skip the bus rush completely. Honestly, once you're down near the water away from the crowd, try skimming some stones. The rocks are perfect for it and it's a good laugh. From November through to early January, the lupin fields along the Tekapo lakefront are something else. Lots of spots to wander around, especially as the sun's going down.

The Night Sky Is the Real Deal

Tekapo sits inside a Dark Sky Reserve and the stargazing here is genuinely world-class. The observatory tour on top of Mount John is the one to do. Book it well in advance because it fills up fast and it's not the kind of thing you want to miss out on by leaving it too late. The RANKERS promo code gets you a discount on stargazing in the area, which softens the blow a bit. There are other stargazing options around town too if the observatory tour is booked out. Different experience, but still well worth your night.

Base Yourself Right

Tekapo is a major tour bus stop on the Queenstown to Christchurch run, so it can feel full-on during the day. Give yourself at least a night and a half here to actually settle in. The holiday park on the lake edge is a solid base if you want facilities nearby. If you fancy seeing the area from the air, scenic flights out of Tekapo are brilliant on a clear day and the RANKERS promo code is worth using there too.