Things to do in Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo sits 265 km from Queenstown, about a 3 hour drive via Lindis Pass or the Mackenzie Basin roads, and its turquoise colour comes from glacial flour suspended in the water rather than any dye or filter. The lakeshore Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935, is a working church and one of the most photographed buildings in the country, so expect a crowd at midday.

The Mt John Observatory tour runs stargazing sessions after dark, weather permitting, inside the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the largest in the world. From late November into December, lupins colour the roadsides and lake edges in purple and pink for a few weeks.

Tekapo Springs offers hot pools from around NZD 34 for adults, with night sessions in winter.