2-Day Lake Tekapo Escape: Stars & Springs

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by Michael

May 7, 2024 · 2 min read

Lake Tekapo 2 Days Itinerary

Embark on a 2-day adventure to the tranquil Lake Tekapo, where the beauty of New Zealand's South Island awaits. Begin your journey with a visit to the iconic Sheepdog Memorial, a tribute to the region's farming heritage, and spend an hour admiring the sculptures. Just a stone's throw away, find spiritual solace at The Church of the Good Shepherd, a picturesque church set against a stunning lake backdrop. As night falls, prepare for an otherworldly experience at Tekapo Star Gazing, where the clear skies offer a dazzling celestial show. Day one concludes with relaxation at Tekapo Springs, offering rejuvenating hot pools with a view. Day two invites you to immerse yourself in the natural splendor of Lake Tekapo itself, spending the day exploring its shores and taking in the panoramic views. The journey continues to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, a place of awe-inspiring landscapes and rich cultural history. This 2-day itinerary promises a blend of relaxation, exploration, and a deep connection with nature.

Top 6 Hotels in Lake Tekapo
TOP 1
Peppers Bluewater Resort
Peppers Bluewater Resort
hotelStar
4/5
151 reviews
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TOP 2
Skyrim Lodge
Skyrim Lodge
hotelStar
3/5
69 reviews
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TOP 3
Akin Tekapo
Akin Tekapo
hotelStar
3/5
0 reviews
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StarRain Tekapo
StarRain Tekapo
hotelStar
3/5
5 reviews
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Lakes Edge Lodge
Lakes Edge Lodge
hotelStar
0/5
24 reviews
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Mantra Lake Tekapo
Mantra Lake Tekapo
hotelStar
4/5
67 reviews
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2 Days in Lake Tekapo Itinerary: Day 1

1

The Sheepdog Memorial

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Begin your Lake Tekapo journey with a visit to The Sheepdog Memorial, a tribute to the region's hardworking collies. Set against the stunning backdrop of the lake, this monument offers a perfect blend of history and scenic beauty. Spend an hour here, soaking in the tranquil atmosphere and capturing picturesque moments at Pioneer Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand.

Attraction Info

  • Pioneer Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open 24 hours

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Astro Cafe
Astro Cafe
4.6/5 · 55 reviews
2.5 km from attraction
Thai Tekapo
Thai Tekapo
4.8/5 · 17 reviews
0.5 km from attraction
Lake Tekapo Rakinui Restaurant
Lake Tekapo Rakinui Restaurant
4.6/5 · 11 reviews
0.9 km from attraction
Mackenzies Cafe Bar Grill
Mackenzies Cafe Bar Grill
4.6/5 · 19 reviews
0.5 km from attraction
Jade Palace Restaurant
Jade Palace Restaurant
4/5 · 1 review
0.5 km from attraction
Lake Tekapo Tavern
Lake Tekapo Tavern
5/5 · 2 reviews
0.6 km from attraction
1 min,0.1 km
2

The Church of the Good Shepherd

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Next, a short stroll leads you to The Church of the Good Shepherd, an iconic symbol of Lake Tekapo. This quaint stone church, with its awe-inspiring views of the lake and mountains, provides a peaceful retreat for reflection. Allow yourself an hour to admire the simplistic beauty and spiritual ambiance of this historic site.

Attraction Info

  • Pioneer Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
  • Open from 1/1-12/31(Summer),8:00am-8:00pm;Open from 1/1-12/31(Winter),9:00am-5:00pm
6 min,0.46 km
3

Tekapo Star Gazing

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As dusk falls, prepare for an astronomical adventure with Tekapo Star Gazing. This one-hour sightseeing tour is your gateway to the stars, offering an unparalleled view of the night sky in one of the world's best stargazing locations. Embrace the cosmos and let the celestial wonders of Lake Tekapo take your breath away.

Attraction Info

  • Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
  • Open from 10:00am-1:00am
5 min,2.24 km
4

Tekapo Springs

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Conclude your day with a rejuvenating experience at Tekapo Springs. Immerse yourself in the hot pools, indulge in spa treatments, or simply relax by the water's edge. With two hours to unwind and enjoy the facilities, this is the perfect way to end a day of exploration and discovery at 300 Lakeside Drive, Lake Tekapo 7945, New Zealand.

Attraction Info

  • 300 Lakeside Drive, Lake Tekapo 7945, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open on Mon-Fri,11:00am-7:00pm;Open on Sat-Sun,10:00am-7:00pm
4.6/575 Reviews
4.6/5Outstanding75 Reviews
Lake Tekapo
|0.77km from Tekapo Springs
4/524 Reviews
4/5Very Good24 Reviews
Lake Tekapo
|0.77km from Tekapo Springs

2 Days in Lake Tekapo Itinerary: Day 2

1

Lake Tekapo

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Begin your second day with the tranquil beauty of Lake Tekapo, nestled in the heart of Canterbury. This glacial lake is not just a feast for the eyes with its vivid turquoise waters, but also a place of spiritual significance, home to an ancestral hall that pays homage to the region's rich cultural heritage. Spend your day soaking in the serene atmosphere, and don't miss the opportunity to capture the picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd against the stunning backdrop of the Southern Alps.

Attraction Info

  • Canterbury 7999, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 day
38 min,40.7 km
2

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

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Continue your journey of awe-inspiring landscapes at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. As you step into this ancestral hall of nature, you'll be greeted by the towering presence of New Zealand's highest peak. Dedicate your day to exploring the park's diverse terrains, from lush valleys to rugged mountain trails. The park offers a plethora of activities for all levels of adventurers, ensuring that your visit to this majestic part of the world is as enriching as it is breathtaking.

Attraction Info

  • Canterbury 7999, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-3 days
  • Open from 8:30am-4:30pm

Top Things to Do in Lake Tekapo-2024

TOP 1
The Church of the Good Shepherd
The Church of the Good Shepherd
4.7/5 · 412 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 2,133 review
Highlights:
Located high on the shores of Lake Tekapo, the Church of the Good Shepherd was built in 1935 and named after a sculpture of a shepherd dog. Made entirely of rock blocks, this church is a classic postcard view of Lake Tekapo. At night, the church under the stars is even more beautiful, and it is also an excellent location for shooting star trails. 1. The appearance of the church is primitive and simple. Although it is not big, it has a unique flavor. The area of the church is only 20 to 30 square meters, which is very small. There is a small stone cross on the north roof, a small bell tower on the west side of the south roof, and a small bronze bell hangs in the arched wall hole. The outer wall of the entire church is a random combination of the original dark gray, light gray, cyan and brown of the rock, while the roof is a black stone piece. Such a primitive and rustic appearance makes it special in this open lakeside wilderness. Harmony and harmony. Although the church is small, it is very famous. During the day, there will be buses with tour groups arriving one after another. At night, you often encounter people who bring professional photography equipment to take pictures of the stars. Walking into the church, there are five or six rows of benches on the left and right sides. From the middle aisle to the pulpit by the window, a cross ten centimeters high stands in front of the glass window, against the light, outside the window is the blue sky and white clouds and the lake water. Great view, with views of Mount Cook in the distance. 2. Bronze statue of a shepherd dog next to the church A towering bronze statue of a shepherd dog can be seen not far from the church. It is used to commemorate the contribution made by the shepherd dog to protecting the flock. The statue is also engraved with "No Shepherd". Dogs, there would be no small town today" and other words. 3. Look up at the starry sky and watch the unique astronomical scene. If you plan to go here in the middle of the night, you need to check whether the weather is fine in advance. When you lie on a bench by the lake and look up at the stars, you can see unique astronomical sights that can only be seen in the southern hemisphere, such as the Southern Cross constellation, the Magellanic Cloud and the Milky Way satellite galaxies, etc. If you are lucky, you can even see meteors passing by night sky. With the exception of the Church of the Good Shepherd, the entire Lake Tekapo area is a good spot for stargazing as long as you stay away from street lights. Of course, if the budget is sufficient, you can also sign up for the stargazing cluster on Mount John.
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TOP 4
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo
4.7/5 · 330 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 2,703 review
Highlights:
Lake Tekapo is located between Christchurch and Queenstown, in the heart of the Mount Cook Basin and MacKenzie. There is a small town on the south side of the lake, sparsely populated, and the mountains in the distance are covered with snow, like a paradise. 1. The mysterious beauty of Lake Tekapo Lake Tekapo is famous for the mysterious beauty of the color of the lake. Due to the melting of the glaciers in the Southern Alps into the lake, the rocks in the glaciers are broken into fine powder, so the color of the lake appears A navy blue with a creamy white. 2. Surrounding attractions can take a walk along the lakeside trail, breathe fresh air, feel the embrace of nature, and enjoy the beauty of the lake. There is a small Shepherd's Church by the lake, which is a complete stone church overlooking the entire Lake Tekapo. It was built in 1935 to commemorate the pioneers. Sitting in the church, you can overlook Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps in the distance through the window. Not far from the church, you can see a statue of a shepherd dog, which is a tribute to the faithful friends of the highland shepherds. 3. One of the best places to watch the stars The area around Lake Tekapo is one of the best places to watch the Southern Cross. Every year, a large number of starry sky lovers go to watch the stars at night or shoot star trails. There are mysterious southern hemisphere stars that tourists from the northern hemisphere cannot see, especially in winter, and there is a high chance of witnessing the aurora. So if time permits, you might as well choose to spend a night on the shores of Lake Tekapo to enjoy the wonders of the stars. 4. The surrounding supporting services are complete. There are several cafes and casual restaurants nearby, and tourist souvenir shops are also indispensable. After playing, you can have a cup of coffee or have a casual light meal with the beautiful scenery, accompanied by a fairyland-like lake view, it can’t be better.
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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Lake Tekapo 2 Days Itinerary