Tekapo’s Treasures
Lake Tekapo is often seen as a scenic photo, coffee, or pit stop, on the way to Mt Cook, Queenstown, or somewhere else bigger and brighter… but it has a lot more to offer. Sharon Davis uncovers some of Tekapo’s Treasures.
Lake Tekapo is one of central South Island’s best-kept secrets. Its glacier-fed turquoise waters and dramatic ice-capped Southern Alp backdrop make Lake Tekapo a picturesque all-year-round destination – ideal for adrenalin junkies in their relentless pursuit of adventure, or those looking for time out for rest and relaxation, or a pleasant mix of both.
Protected from the coastal weather by the Alps and the Two Thumb Range, Lake Tekapo has it’s own microclimate with the second-longest recorded sunshine hours in New Zealand, after Nelson, making it a white winter playground and an aquatic haven in summer.
Lake Tekapo has plenty of opportunities for photographers to get the perfect postcard shot. From the compulsory shot of the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, built from stone in 1935 on the lakeshore, to the nearby bronze statue of the Collie sheepdog in stunning surrounds – with varying backdrops from blue and pink lupins to snow-covered tussock grass, depending on the season.
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a range of activities from swimming, skiing, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, fishing, 4-wheel drive safaris, horse trekking, scenic flights and helicopter flips, hunting, and bird watching. There’s also the opportunity to try ice-skating, ice hockey and curling in winter or roller-skating in summer, as well as golf, mini-golf, and tennis.
Nearby Mount John, at 1,029 metres, is home to New Zealand’s premier astronomical research observatory, the Mount John University Observatory. In June 2012 the area around the observatory was declared as a Dark Sky Reserve, the largest of four such reserves in the world.
Astro tourism is booming in Lake Tekapo. It is one of the best stargazing spots on earth, with a range of observatory tours, including family tours, sunset and twilight tours as well as night time tours and star viewing through telescopes.
During the day the Astro Café on Mount John provides a 360-degree alpine panorama and is the starting point for several easy and enjoyable walks. At night the twinkling stars come out en masse, and experts are on hand to guide you through the galaxy’s skies or to help you hone your astrophotography skills.
Pampering, with or without the preceding adventure, is available at Tekapo Springs. They have three inviting outdoor hot pools, shaped after the three local glacial lakes, and a day spa with a tempting range of massages and beauty treatments along with a sauna and steam room.
Lake Tekapo has a wide range of accommodation options from tent sites and backpacker hostels, to motels, B&B’s and hotels – and Tekapo is also a great base for visiting Mt Cook or the nearby salmon farm. The nightlife might be a bit limited by city standards, but you won’t be lost for things to do in this pristine paradise.
Getting there
Lake Tekapo is about a three-hour drive from Christchurch or Queenstown, or 90 minutes from Timaru.
From Christchurch: Head south on State Highway 1, and take the turnoff to Geraldine shortly after crossing the Rangitata River, following Provincial Highway 79 to Fairlie, where you turn right onto Highway 8, which takes you through the Mckenzie High Country to Lake Tekapo.
From Queenstown: Head north along Highway 6 to Cromwell, by-pass Cromwell township on Highway 8a and head across Lake Dunstan. Turn left on to Highway 8 and follow it over Lindis Pass, into the Mackenzie Basin. Continue on Highway 8 through Omarama to Lake Tekapo.
From Timaru, drive inland along Highway 8, passing through Pleasant Point, Cave and Fairlie to reach Lake Tekapo.
Tekapo facts
Lake Tekapo has a population of fewer than 500 people and is close to the Roundhill, Mount Dobson, Ohau and Fox Peak ski fields.
The Mount John University Observatory was established in 1965 and has five large telescopes in regular use.
Lake Tekapo is the second-largest of three lakes forming part of the Waitaki power scheme in the McKenzie Basin. Construction of the first power station, Tekapo A, began in 1938 but was only completed in 1951.
Innes Elliott, an artist from Kaikoura, made the sheepdog sculpture. He created a clay model, then made a plaster cast of that, which he sent to London where the statue was cast in bronze.
This travel article by Shaz was published in Forward 50 in 2013.
