Lake Tekapo is in the South Island’s McKenzie Country, a high-altitude plateau beneath the Southern Alps which dotted with cold clear mountain lakes. Tekapo is three hours’ drive south of Christchurch, and north of Queenstown.
The lake itself is a boon for recreational boating, jet-skiing and water-skiing. The surrounding hill country is best seen by horse-trek.
The area is most popular in winter, though. Lake Tekapo is home to an outdoor ice rink, which is open from May to September for skating, curling and ice hockey. Further winter fun can be found at Roundhill Ski Field.
Visitors can warm up again at the local hot pools.
With its clear skies and low light pollution, Lake Tekapo is the ideal place for Mount John Observatory. Local regulations around lighting ensure that this will remain a great place for star-gazing.
The most famous of Lake Tekapo’s landmarks are the Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935, and the adjacent statue of a sheepdog.
