Tekapo Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)

Epic looking lake in the Mackenzie District

If someone asked me where is beautiful in New Zealand, Lake Pukaki is definitely going to be one of my answer! What makes the lake so beautiful is the bright turquoise water color, which under the correct lighting condition, will turn into a brilliant blue color. Combining the lake with the surround mountains, It is an absolute dream for landscape photographers like myself! If you are lucky, on a day of a good weather, you can even see New Zealand’s iconic mountain, Mount Cook from here! Getting here is a scenic drive 10 mins away from the town of Twizel. Carpark is also a stone throw away from the lake so it is really accessible for everyone! #momentssg #unforgettableexperiences #hiking #travelinspiration #naturalwonders

You can’t go wrong with this combination of mountain views and blue water. In the summer, Lake Pukaki is surrounded by fields of purple Lupines and is one of the most beautiful places on earth. #newzealandtravel #lakeview #unforgettableexperiences

At the largest certified organic Lavender fields in the southern hemisphere. The smell is just as impressive as the view!

We stumbled upon this lake by accident but it was really beautifull! The water was aqua blue and really clear - soo inviting to jump into it! When putting a finger in I noticed it was waaaay to cold 🥶

In the Lake District of southern New Zealand, the best way to see the lake is to ascend. On the summit of Wanaka Lake, the most spectacular view of Lake Wanaka is the most beautiful on the skyline of Queenstown. The most beautiful of Lake Tekapo is seen on Mount John. In the autumn of Mount John, in the small town of Tekapo, there is a mountain bag, almost no tall woods, only some low shrubs. At the foot of the mountain, you need to pay a toll fee and chat with the person who paid the fee. Only then did you know that it was owned by Canterbury University. The Observatory on the Peak is an important base for space research in New Zealand. In order to maintain private property, the way to collect tolls is adopted. The road to the mountain was very steep, and the nine bends and eighteen bends climbed up. On both sides of the road are the withered Lu ice flowers, if the December flower season is here, it can directly fall into the sea of flowers. If you don't drive up the mountain, then an hour and a half round-trip trail will also allow you to reach the top of the mountain. The uphill is always uphill, it takes about an hour, and it takes about half an hour to go downhill. As far as the scenery is on the way, the road that drives up the mountain far exceeds the trail. The observatory on the top of the mountain is for research, and the cafe Astro Cafe, which is made up of transparent glass next door, is our destination. Astro Cafe is called the world's best coffee by lonely planet. In fact, it should be the most beautiful coffee. It is worth a cup of white coffee with New Zealand characteristics, flat white (5.5 NZD), sitting on Tekapo Lake. Color change

Astro Caf, a small coffee shop on the top of John's Hill, is known as "the world's best caf". You can also send a postcard to a friend here, which is said to cover a unique postmark. Sitting in a warm and comfortable glass house to enjoy a sunny lunch, looking at the invincible scenery through the transparent floor-to-ceiling windows, is also an experience not to be missed. Who makes the home outside the lake is Lake Tekapo? Y(^^) There are many trails around, eat Satisfied to go, look at Lake Tekapo from different angles, beautiful.

Astro cafe, known by LP as "one of the most beautiful coffee shops in the world", is located on St. John's Hill next to Lake Tekapo, next to the St. John Observatory. Be sure to choose a sunny day to punch in, the light and blue of the blue sky and white clouds is really beautiful. If the cappuccino and Mocha will have the stars and the stars, the super cute, almost to the flowers, the cheesecake is also delicious. Its so happy to have a cup of coffee while enjoying the scenery. However, the wind on the mountain is really big, and the sister of Liu Hai should be mentally prepared. The boulder under the coffee shop is a place where everyone is more photographed, except that you can go a little further and see that the scenery will be more beautiful.

Lake Tekapo & Church of Good Shepherd

On a sunny day, we drove from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo. It took about three hours. We came across some small towns on the way but we had no time to stop. When we arrived, we walked to the historic Church of the Good Shepherd. This small stone church is very unique. If you want to go inside, you must pay attention to the opening hours: Tuesday morning 9-8pm; Sunday 4pm-5pm. We arrived on Wednesday so we didn't get a chance to visit. Then we walked along The Tekapo Lake, the lake was calm, very blue, very beautiful! The Church and the Lake were such scenic spots that worth taking more photos. If you have plenty of travel time, or if you like stargazing, you can consider staying one night to participate in stargazing or soaking in hot springs for a fee. #nice lithle town #stargazing

This was such a fun hike! Luckily we had enough warm clothes with us because we definitely underestimated the cold weather! Also, if you want to go there don‘t forget to bring snacks.

【Five-Day Tour Guide to South Island, New Zealand】

South Island, New Zealand, a place full of natural beauty and cultural atmosphere. In five days, I will take you around every corner of the South Island to feel the unique charm of this land. 📍Day One: Christchurch-Tekapo Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island, where we first feel the pulse of the city. Visit the city's attractions in Christchurch and feel the unique cultural atmosphere of this large city on the South Island. Then, drive to Tekapo, quietly admire the beauty of the Good Shepherd Church, as if in a painting. At night, we will sleep under the stars. ✨Free visit to attractions, feel the charm of Christchurch's modern and ancient intertwined. 📍Day Two: Tekapo-Mount Cook In the early morning, we will enjoy the beautiful sunrise on the shore of Lake Pukaki. The white clouds and blue sky on the lake form the beauty of the "Blue Milk Lake". Then, we will go to Mount Cook, hike on the Hooker Trail, and feel the majesty of the mountains. At the foot of the mountain, we will also taste local fresh salmon and oysters. In the evening, we will arrive at the small fruit town of Cromwell, buy fresh fruits at the local fruit stand, and take a walk in the rose garden. ✨The beauty of Mount Cook is stunning, making people feel like they are in a fairyland. 📍Day Three: Queenstown-Wanaka Queenstown, a place full of vitality and food. Here, we can try various exciting experiences such as skydiving, paragliding, boating, cable cars, etc. The old buildings and history of Arrowtown seem to take us back to the gold rush era. The Kawarau Bridge is the birthplace of bungee jumping. Jumping down from here with your loved one will become an unforgettable memory. Finally, we will watch the sunset under the lonely tree of Lake Wanaka. ✨The activities in Queenstown make people's hearts beat faster, while Arrowtown and Kawarau Bridge make people feel the weight and romance of history. 📍Day Four: Fox Glacier Town-Joseph Glacier Town Today, we will visit the glacier town. The beautiful scenery of Fox Glacier Town is unforgettable, and the crystal clear Lake Matheson is intoxicating. Here, we can enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature. ✨The beauty of the glacier town is amazing, and the power and beauty of nature are perfectly combined here. 📍Day Five: Hokitika-Greymouth-Christchurch On the last day, we will go to Hokitika to enjoy this beautiful valley fairyland. Here, we will be deeply attracted by the beautiful scenery of the valley. Then, we will go to Castle Hill, where the strange rocks on the hillside form a spectacular castle. On the way back, we will pass through Christchurch, putting a perfect end to this South Island trip. ✨The beauty and magic of the South Island are unforgettable, looking forward to the next journey.

The lupins in New Zealand are about to bloom in spring, are you sure you don't want to come and see?

In this vibrant spring, the lupins are blooming vigorously on the shores of Lake Tekapo, like a brilliant palette of nature. Under the contrast of the distant blue sky and the snowy Southern Alps, it further highlights its unique charm. The melted glacier water gathers next to the Shepherd's Church, flows down, and falls into the milky blue Lake Tekapo. Every drop of water tells the grandeur and tranquility of nature. This sea of lupins has almost become one of the symbols of New Zealand. From November to January of the following year, countless tourists from home and abroad flock to the South Island of New Zealand, hoping to leave unforgettable memories in this sea of flowers. Walking by the lake, feeling the solemnity and sacredness of the Shepherd's Church, it seems that time freezes at this moment, making people intoxicated in this beautiful scenery. And in this brilliant sea of lupins, it makes people feel the wonder of nature and the power of life. Come to the shore of Lake Tekapo, let's feel this beautiful sea of lupins together! And the best way to experience this trip is to choose self-driving, which is very convenient in New Zealand. A translation of the Chinese driver's license is enough, and many platforms offer free translations. As long as you bring your Chinese driver's license and translation, you can rent a car and drive in New Zealand! I will tell you the precautions for self-driving and the route of self-driving in the next issue, remember to follow up!