Lake Tekapo

Surrounded by mountains and far from the glare of city lights, Lake Tekapo's cloud-free skies make it the best place in the Southern Hemisphere to see the night sky. Local light-pollution laws require all exterior night-time lighting to shine down onto the ground, rather than into the sky. Status as a World Heritage Site is being sought for the area as the world's first starlight preservation area.

It is about 60 km by road, north of Twizel on State Highway 8, the Central Southern Alps Highway, three hours south of Christchurch and three hours north of Queenstown.
Bus services to and from Lake Tekapo:

• Wanaka Connexions, +64 3 443 9122, Fax: +64 3 443 8237, bookings@wanakaconnexions.co.nz
• Southern Link Shuttles, +64 3 358 8355, Fax +64 3 358 8585

• Great SightsFree,

• Intercity Newmans, +64 3 379 9020, Freephone 0800 100 663

• Church of the Good ShepherdThe church is on the lakeshore and has an amazing view straight up the lake. It is open during the day. Nearby is a bronze statue of a collie dog, in honour of the sheepdogs on which sheep farmers depend.

• Mount John Observatory

• Parkbrae EstateWalk or guided tours through beautiful private gardens - opposite Church.

There's excellent and relatively easy hiking around Lake Tekapo. Two tracks to the top of Mt. John starts near the western end of town (right before and right after Tekapo Springs). The shorter path takes 45 minutes to an hour to get to the top, following a switchback trail through some pine forest, while the longer path (taking 1½-2 hr) climbs more gradually along the lake shore, before doubling back to climb up to the top from the north. At the top of the hill you can follow a short loop track around the observatory for excellent views toward the Southern Alps, or stop at the cafe there for some excellent hot chocolate.
Another 1½-2 hr hike - the Peninsula Walkway - starts a short bit north of Mt John (most easily reached by car), and takes you around the peninsula which lies halfway along the length of the lake. This is a relatively new hike, and the path hasn't really been worn out yet. Make certain you're following the poles rather than sheep tracks which can divert in different directions altogether. This hike is closed from October to December for lambing.
There are also various organized activities:

• Tekapo Bike Hire

  phone: +64 3 680-6700
  Bike hire by the hour or by the day

• Tekapo High Country Trek

  phone: +64 3 680-6736
  3-day guided alpine walk in the foothills of the Southern Alps, overlooking Lake Tekapo.
• Backcountry Ski Touring 2-5 days based at hut above snowline, touring the valleys, ridges and basins of the Two Thumb Range.

• Alpure Peaks Snowcat and Backcountry AdventuresGuided ski and snowboard day tours in the Two Thumb Range.

• Earth & Sky Star Gazing

  phone: +64 3 680-6960
  Observe the southern stars at one of the clearest locations in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Air Safaris Scenic FlightsFly over New Zealand's highest mountains and most spectacular alpine scenery.

• Fishing Safaris

  phone: +64 3 680-6516
• Hunting Safaris Phone +64 3 680-6774.

• Ski Roundhill

• Mt. Dobson

• Ice Skating, Ice Hockey, Curling

  phone: +64 3 680-6550

• Day trips to Mount Cook

• Mackenzie Golf Club

  phone: +64 3 680-6830

• Golf Cross

  phone: +64 3 680-6844

• Minigolf

  phone: +64 3 680-6745

• Horse Trekking

• Kayakingalpinelakes@xtra.co.nz.

• Salmon Farm Tours

  phone: +64 3 435-0085

• 4WD Excursions

  phone: +64 3 680-6844
  Glenmore Tours.

• Lake Tekapo Squash Club

  phone: +64 3 680-6739

• Tekapo Helicopters

  phone: +64 3 680-6229

• Earth & Sky Observatory Tours

  phone: +64 3 680-6960
  Do an Earth & Sky tour at one of either two observatories - the famous Mt John Observatory (a research station run by the University of Canterbury, now also hosting night tours and a stunning cafe) or a smaller, more private observatory nearby at Cowan's Hill. On clear nights you can see the wonders of the night sky. If it's cloudy, see areas of the observatory normally closed to the public, and learn about the scientific work done here. The stargazing tours are rapidly becoming one of the "must-do" activities for people coming to the South Island - both for locals and tourists alike. The weather is changeable here, so perhaps stay a few days to make sure you get a clear sky. To see the most stars, avoid the full moon: between five days after full moon and ten days before it will give the darkest skies.

• Tekapo Springs

  phone: +64 3 680-6550
  address: 6 Lakeside Drive
  The Tekapo Springs complex includes a complex containing three inviting hot pools with bench-side seating, private nooks and crannies, and massage jets. The temperature of the pools are 35-37°C. Next to the pools is a sauna and steam room. Four fully-functional spa rooms provide massages, facials, pedicures, manicures and total body care, and each treatment booked gives complimentary access to the sauna and steam room. In addition, there is an ice rink, that is converted for inline or roller skating during spring and summer. Finally, there is also a snow park that provides an ice ramp used with inflatable tubes. This operates as a Summer Tube over the warmer months on artificial matting. Tekapo Springs also offers nightly star viewing from the hot springs pools, with viewers suspended in pool hammocks/floats.

• Alpine Haven - Wide range of quality New Zealand products and souvenirs +64 3 680-6656
• High Country Crafts - Good value New Zealand gifts +64 3 680-6905
• Kiwi Treasures and Information Centre - Popular gifts and souvenirs, postcards +64 3 680-6686
• Lake Tekapo Post Centre - Fishing licences and tackle also +64 3 680-6861
• Tekapo Services - Supermarket and fuel +64 3 680-6809
• Challenge petrol station - Snow chains, motor accessories +64 3 680-6933

• Astro Cafe

  address: Mt John Observatory
  Views, walks, and coffee and food. If you're lucky, you may catch an astronomer floating about to give you a short tour of the observatory, or perhaps show you a star (or the sun!) in the daytime through special telescopes. Drive time from Tekapo is only 15 min, or you can walk up the trail starting at Tekapo Springs. The road is closed outside of cafe operating hours to protect the Observatory, so check the opening times first. Being up so high (1,000 metres above sea level) the road is occasionally closed due to high winds or snow. The narrow road cannot carry vehicles larger than 22-seater buses, and as the observatory is private-lease land, any commercial / tourist ventures must get permission from Earth & Sky before going up.

• Jade Palace Chinese Restaurant

  phone: +64 3 680-6828

• Kohan Japanese Restaurant

  phone: +64 3 680-6688

• Observatory Cafe

  phone: +64 3 680-6886

• Pepe's Pizza & Pasta

  phone: +64 3 680-6886
  Serves pizzas, pasta and salads, including several vegetarian options. Takeaways available.

• Reflections Cafe & Restaurant

  phone: +64 3 680-6234

Backpacker hostels

• Lakefront Lodge Backpackers

  phone: +64 3 680-6740
  Wifi available for purchase.

• Tailor Made Tekapo Backpackers Hostel

  phone: +64 3 680-6700
  address: 11 Aorangi Crescent
  This boutique hostel is independently owned and operated.

• YHA

  phone: +64 3 680-6857
  address: 5 Motuariki Lane
  New building opened in April 2019.

• Lake Tekapo Budget AccommodationBudget rooms, free Wi-Fi (limits apply).

Motel and hotel

• The Chalet Boutique Motel

  phone: +64 3 680-6774

• Godley Hotel

  phone: +64 3 680-6848
  60 room hotel with bar and restaurant.

• Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park

  phone: +64 3 680-6825

• Lake Tekapo Village Motel

  phone: +64 3 680-6808

• Parkbrae Estate

  phone: +64 3 680-6780
  A selection of quality cottages and apartments to suit a variety of tastes and budgets. Full of character, and very close to the lake, shops, and Church of the Good Shepherd.

• Parkhead Motels

  phone: +64 3 680-6868

Bed and breakfast

• Alpine Cottage

  phone: +64 3 6806786, +64 21 1541014
  address: 14 Hamilton Drive
  Homely feel. Clean and comfy.

• Creel House B&B

  phone: +64 3 680-6516
  address: 36 Murray Place
  There are rooms with views of the lake and mountains.

• Freda Du Faur House B&B

  phone: +64 3 680-6513
  address: 1 Esther Hope St

• Lake Tekapo Grandview

  phone: +64 3 680-6910

• Lake Tekapo Luxury Lodge

  phone: +64 3 680-6566

• Tekapo Moonlight B&B

  phone: +64 3 680-6514
  Offers a view over the lake and the church while you enjoy your breakfast. The ground floor has three rooms and a lounge. The garden is relaxing.

• Tekapo House B&B

  phone: +64 3 680-6607
  Offers over 30 self-contained holiday homes, many with views of the lake and mountain range. These holiday homes are fully equipped with amenities.

• Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is about 100 km by road to the west.