If you’re wondering whether to add Lake Tekapo to your New Zealand road trip itinerary, I’m going to save you from pondering it any longer… the answer is yes.

Located in the heart of the South Island, Lake Tekapo is famous for its wildly magical (seriously wtf) turquoise waters, snow-capped mountain backdrops, golden tussock (a type of grass) landscapes, and some of the clearest night skies on Earth. A killer combination indeed. It’s safe to say that we spent most of our time in and around Lake Tekapo with our jaws on the floor. You’ll see what I mean as you start scrolling through the images in this guide.

And btw, none of the photos in this post are heavily edited. The blue lake really IS that blue. This is not a case of seeing edited photos online and then being disappointed in person.

You are going to be blown away.

If you’re looking for the ultimate guide to Lake Tekapo, the best things to do in Lake Tekapo, where to stay, when to visit and things not to miss in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand – you’re in the right place. This Lake Tekapo travel guide covers everything you need to know before visiting, and all my tips (having just been there) to help you plan an unforgettable adventure.

Whether you’re an active adventurer, a lakeside bum, a night sky enthusiast or simply passing through and needing a lake swim, a breakfast pull up in your campervan or a hotspring dip… Lake Tekapo has you covered, and I’ve got the best spots to share.

Let’s dive in.

Where is Lake Tekapo?

Lake Tekapo is part of the Mackenzie region on New Zealand’s South Island. It sits roughly halfway between Christchurch and Queenstown, making it a perfect road trip stop if you’re making your way down that famous route! It’s about:

• 3 hours’ drive from Christchurch
• 3 hours from Queenstown
• 1 hour from Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park

It’s a small, peaceful, and incredibly scenic lakeside town. It’s the kind of place you can pull up and soak in a slower-paced, relaxed afternoon or morning on the water.

When is the Best Time to Visit Lake Tekapo?

There is no bad time to visit Lake Tekapo, but when you visit will affect what the best things to do in Lake Tekapo are available for you to enjoy. For example, we visited in mid Feb, which was amazing because it wasn’t peak tourist season (cheaper prices, fewer crowds), but it meant that we weren’t present for the famous Lupin bloom.

Here’s an idea of what to expect in each season:

• Summer (Dec–Feb) – Warmest weather, enjoy the lupins in bloom, great hiking conditions. Busiest, peak season.
• Autumn (Mar–May) – Crisp air, sunny days, fewer crowds, golden tones across the basin.
• Winter (Jun–Aug) – Snow on the mountains, magical alpine vibes, ski fields nearby to enjoy. Cold but stunning.
• Spring (Sep–Nov) – The quieter shoulder season of the two, with fresh alpine scenery.

How Long Do You Need in Lake Tekapo?

It depends on what you love from the best things to do in the Lake Tekapo section. I’d say you can absolutely enjoy the best of Lake Tekapo in 1–2 days. If you only have a day or a few hours to pass through, as we did, still do it. You’d be silly not to!

One or two days give you time to:

• enjoy a sunrise/sunset
• have a couple of opportunities to stargaze
• Go on a hike
• relax by the lake

Two nights lets you slow right down, open a book, soak in the hot springs and dive a bit deeper into the cultural significance of this spot – something I’d so love to come back and do!

Where to Stay in Lake Tekapo

There are honeymoon-vibe luxury lodges here, backpacker hostels, and campervan parks. All I’d say is, if you’re travelling in peak/shoulder season, book in early, as accommodation is limited in this small town and fills up fast.

Lake Tekapo isn’t about ticking off a load of attractions. It’s about atmosphere. It’s about stillness. It’s about choosing whether you’d like to soak up the view from a hike, a hot spring or from your picnic blanket. It’s about looking up at a sky you’ve never seen so clear before and getting a new perspective on life. Because when you look at a view as beautiful as this, it’s hard to escape the fact that there is something much larger than you at play here.

Before we move into the best things to do in Lake Tekapo, let’s answer the question on most peoples lips…

Why is Lake Tekapo so blue?

Okay, so you’re wondering how on earth the lake gets that insanely mesmerising turquoise colour?

The lake gets its colour from ‘rock flour’ – a fine glacial sediment ground down by the surrounding glaciers in the Southern Alps and suspended in the water. When sunlight hits the suspended particles, it reflects that surreal milky-blue shade.

It’s not a filter, I promise you! Wild hey?!

The Best Things to Do in Lake Tekapo

Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd

The tiny stone Church of the Good Shepherd is the most photographed building in the region, and even in the shoulder season when we went, it was attracting hundreds of tourists and photographers.

Built in 1935, it sits right on the lake’s edge with panoramic mountain views framed through its altar window. Sunrise and sunset are especially magical here, but it’s also one of the best foregrounds for astrophotography at night.

As you can see in the photo below, you can park right next to it, or park in town and walk across the bridge to explore it.

Walk across the bridge in town and take it all in

I mean, seriously, do I need to say any more? Speechless is what we were when we got out of the car here.

As you drive into or through town, you’ll see the bridge – you cannot miss it!

There are a few eateries and bars on the front here near the bridge, so if you have time, slow it down even more, grab a drink and a bite to eat with a view.

Stargaze in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve

Lake Tekapo sits within the world-renowned Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the largest dark sky reserves on Earth. Yep. This means it is here in Lake Tekapo that you’ll find minimal light pollution and crystal-clear views of the Milky Way, the Southern Cross and both planets and distant galaxies.

You can join a guided stargazing tour at Mount John Observatory, or simply drive a few minutes out of town and look up once the sun goes down. On a clear night, it will genuinely blow your mind.

We didn’t have time for a guided tour, but we were lucky enough to have clear night skies on both sides of our time in Lake Tekapo, when camping in both Fairlie and Mt. Cook National Park, so don’t stress if you don’t have time or the weather to experience this. The night skies are wildly beautiful across the South Island of New Zealand, so keep an eye out for a clear sky, get out of town and then look up!

Hike the Mount John Summit Track

If you only do one walk here, make it the Mount John hike. This is the one that we did, and it was about 45 minutes up and 45 minutes down. Nothing strenuous, approximately 5.5 kilometres long in length, with a total elevation gain of around 300 meters. If you don’t want to or cannot hike, you can drive to the top for the same view, but there’s a toll road you have to pay, which was like $12 NZD or something.

Otherwise, park for free in town by the Hot Springs and climb steadily through the forest canopy until you reach the top, where you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views over Lake Tekapo, the surrounding mountains and the Mackenzie Basin. You’ll finish at Mount John Summit, home to the observatory and arguably the best views in the region.

I’d leave around 2–3 hours, depending on your pace and energy levels.

Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Lake Tekapo.

Have coffee and cake at Astro Cafe (or bring your own snacks)

If you have time, at the top of the Mt John track is a cafe with a VIEW – Astro Cafe.

As you can imagine, the place gets really busy. They do have a buzzer system and a full coffee/drinks menu alongside a packed-out cake and dessert counter – so it’s worth allowing time to be up here and enjoy the insane view.

I mean, there’s more than enough photo opportunities and spots to read your book with a view whilst you wait for your pot of English breakfast and freshly baked cookies to arrive.

One of the best things to do in Lake Tekapo? Absolutely. A real highlight from our time in New Zealand, to be honest!

Soak at Tekapo Springs and enjoy the day spa

For a post-hike treat, head back into town to Tekapo Springs, where they have a day spa, hot pools, sauna, steam and opportunities to stargaze right beside the lake. You can book in massages here too!

I’m not sure there’s much better than breathing in alpine air overlooking snow-dusted peaks whilst soaking tired muscles in a hot spring.

P.s. In winter, there’s even an ice rink and snow tubing here.

Get in the lake or on the lake

On a calm day, getting out on the water on a paddleboard or canoe is nothing short of magic.

The lake is, however, freezing (even in summer), haha, but paddling across that bright blue surface with mountains reflected around you is a recipe for one of those core travel memories. Mornings are best for calm conditions.

If getting on the lake isn’t your thing, jump on in! Have a towel and something warm ready to chuck on afterwards, and go immerse your skin in the fresh glacial waters.

Having a dip, swim, or paddleboard is one of the best things to do in Lake Tekapo – don’t miss it!

See the Lupins in bloom (Seasonal)

If you’re visiting between late November and early January, you’ll be here to witness the famous lupin bloom. Purple, pink, and blue flowers line the lake’s edges and roads, making for a postcard-perfect image.

There are some popular, specific spots to pull over and get those iconic shots. If you’re interested, you can get access to ALL of my New Zealand pins, locations, recommendations, free camp spots and pull-ups on my New Zealand Google Map here.

Campervan life by the lake

Does it get much better than brewing coffee or making breakfast in your campervan with a view? Now add in the Lake Tekapo blues pouring in through every window, and you have a scene from your wildest camping dreams.

There are so many spots to pull up for breakfast, lunch and dinner, just like the one below. Take your time driving around and finding your spot, cook up, read a book and consider for a moment just how beautiful this life is.

To have access to ALL of my New Zealand pins, locations, recommendations, free camp spots and pull-ups, see my New Zealand Google Map here.

Day Trip to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park

This is probably a destination already on your road trip/itinerary, but just in case it isn’t and you have time, get yourself to Mount Cook National Park. Located just over an hour’s drive away, Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park is home to New Zealand’s tallest mountain.

Here you’ll find next level alpine scenery, multiple day hikes and epic overnight trails, glacier fed lakes and… another insanely blue lake!

If you’re building a South Island itinerary, Lake Tekapo + Mount Cook is an unbeatable combo.

Have you been to Lake Tekapo, New Zealand?

What are the best things to do in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand? Anything you’d add to this Lake Tekapo, New Zealand bucket list?

Love as always and happy adventuring… 

Mollie Bylett