Lake Tekapo, located in the heart of New Zealand’s South Island, might just be the prettiest little lake town. With its turquoise water framed by snow-capped mountains and dazzling night skies, Tekapo is one of the most striking places you can visit.
The town sits at the southern end of the lake from which it takes its name, around a 3-hour scenic drive from Christchurch or Queenstown (or a little over 3.5 hours from Dunedin), and its remote location only adds to the magic. There’s plenty to experience here, from peaceful lake walks to world-class stargazing in the famous Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve – Lake Tekapo is well worth visiting!
Whether the sun is shining or the snow is falling, Tekapo has something to offer. Stunning year round, it’s no surprise this little lake town is one of the most photographed spots in New Zealand.
Lake Tekapo will always have a special place in my heart. I first visited for just one night, not knowing I’d return. But about two weeks later, the stars aligned: I had a job, a home, and ended up spending four to five months in this magical little town. So, I can confirm, the stunning lake and mountain views never get old!
So you may be wondering: what is there to actually do and see in Lake Tekapo? Is it really worth a visit? This post will let you find out!
(This post contains affiliate links. If you book through one of these links I will receive a small commission to help keep this blog going, at no extra cost to you :)!)
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TOURS/ACTIVITES: GetYourGuide and Viator are both excellent resources for booking tours and activities for you New Zealand adventures.
ACCOMMODATION: For the best range of and deals on accommodation, I recommend using Booking.com, Agoda, Hostelworld.
Before jumping into things to do in Lake Tekapo, let’s take a look at where to stay in Lake Tekapo…
Accommodation in Lake Tekapo
Whether you’re backpacking solo or travelling with family, Lake Tekapo has somewhere beautiful to stay for every budget. From lakefront hostels to luxury rooms and suites with stargazing skylights, you’re never far from the water or the town centre – everything’s within easy walking distance.
Hostels in Lake Tekapo
1. Haka House Lake Tekapo
⭐ Top-rated lakefront hostel
- Located right on the lake and just steps from cafes, bars, and the supermarket, Haka House is Tekapo’s most popular budget stay. It’s modern and bright, with plenty of windows facing the turquoise water, a fully equipped kitchen, and spacious common areas.
👉 Check availability and prices at Haka House Lake Tekapo →
2. Tailor Made Tekapo Accommodation
- Cosy, friendly, and surrounded by trees, this is a great spot for backpackers who love a relaxed, social vibe.
👉 See Tailor Made Tekapo rates and reviews →
- A quiet, budget-friendly option with clean rooms and friendly staff. Ideal for a peaceful night’s rest.
👉 Check prices for a stay in Tekapo Backpackers →
- Just outside the centre, Lakes Edge sits right on the lakefront and is perfect for travellers wanting those unobstructed mountain views.
👉 Book Lakes Edge Lodge here →
Best Hotels & Apartments in Lake Tekapo
1. Lakeview Tekapo
⭐ Rated 9.4/10
- Modern studios and two-bedroom apartments, each with skylights for stargazing from bed. Set 1.3km from the centre, across from the lake, with private outdoor seating areas.
👉 Check latest prices at Lakeview Tekapo →
2. Grand Suites Lake Tekapo
⭐ Rated 9.3/10
- A stylish 4-star stay just 600m from town. Choose from studios or apartments, some with stunning lake views. Guests love the modern decor and quiet location.
👉 View Grand Suites Lake Tekapo deals →
3. Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo
⭐ One of Tekapo’s most popular stays
- Central, modern, and elegant, Peppers offers villas and suites (many with lake or mountain views). Great for families or romantic getaways.
👉 See Peppers Bluewater Resort availability →
4. Galaxy Boutique Hotel
⭐ 5-star luxury with sky windows for stargazing
- Located in a peaceful spot just 600m from town, this boutique hotel is perfect if you’re after something special.
👉 Book Galaxy Boutique Hotel here →
- Right in the heart of town and next to the lake, this motel offers comfortable studios and apartments, often at lower prices than other central hotels.
👉 Check prices at Lake Tekapo Village Motel →
What to Do in Lake Tekapo
You could easily come to Lake Tekapo and just admire the views. I spent countless hours running by the lake during the months I spent here, which felt repetitive at the time, but I can’t say I don’t miss those scenes! While soaking in the scenery is amazing (I mean, it looks just like a pretty postcard), Lake Tekapo has so much more to offer. From charming cafés and shops in the town centre to outdoor adventures and world-class stargazing, there’s something here for every type of traveler..
So, let’s delve a little deeper into what to do and see in Lake Tekapo…
– Town Centre
The heart of Tekapo is small but welcoming! Here you’ll find the supermarket (Four Square), cafés, bars and restaurants, gift shops, a bookstore, the Lake Tekapo information centre, and tour booking offices. Some hotels and hostels are also located here, and of course, the lake is just behind the stores.
There is not ‘much’ in the town centre, but it has everything you need, especially if visiting on a short trip. Just across the road there are homes, more accommodation options, tennis courts, the community hall and more.
Now that you know where to find the ‘essentials’, let’s explore what to do when you’re not enjoying a lakeside meal or taking in the views by the lake from here.
– Church of the Good Shepherd
The Church of the Good Shepherd is a little church with a beautiful backdrop, perched on the edge of the lake. Both the brilliant blue of the lake and the mighty mountains behind it make for a picture-perfect scene – in fact, it’s not only the most photographed church in New Zealand, but one of the most photographed sights in the country. It’s definitely a must-see when visiting Lake Tekapo!
It can get very busy, as bus tours frequently stop here. But if you time it right, or wait a little while until the crowds leave, you can enjoy this magical little church in peaceful tranquility.
– Sheepdog Memorial
Another must-see in the centre of town is the Sheepdog Memorial, dedicated to the hardworking collie dogs that helped shape the region.
This cute little statue is just about 100m to the right of the Church of the Good Shepherd. The sheepdog stands proudly on its rock, facing the church, again with the most beautiful backdrop. Do be sure to take the very short walk here after visiting the church!
– Tekapo Springs
Tekapo Springs is the go-to spot in Lake Tekapo for both relaxation and fun!! While the main attraction is the hot pools, there’s plenty more to enjoy. Plus, the views from here, being situated a little above the lake, are incredible! Fun fact: I actually worked here as a lifeguard, so I KNOW how good those views are!
Located on the far left of Lake Tekapo, Tekapo Springs is about a 25-minute walk from the town centre, with a car park available if you’re driving.
At Tekapo Springs, you can:
- Relax in the hot pools: There are three hot pools to choose from – Ohau, Pukaki, and Tekapo – named after the main lakes of New Zealand’s Mackenzie Region. The pools are actually shaped like the lakes! Each is a different temperature, so you can move around and find a hot pool to suit you. Pukaki even has massage jets for an added touch! Best of all, the hot pools overlook the real Lake Tekapo, and there really is no beating those scenes! You can reserve your Tekapo Springs tickets here before you go.
- Visit the Spa: With a choice of spa treatment available – from massages and facials to waxing – you’ll find something to suit you!
- Do a Guided Stargazing Tour: Tekapo Stargazing Tours are unique in that they include a dip in the hot pools. About halfway through the tour, you get exclusive access to the pools (open only for the stargazers!). No other stargazing experience in New Zealand offers it this way! You can book your Tekapo Stargazing Tour here and get ready to enjoy the pools and stars under the incredible night sky.
- Take a Yoga Class: Yoga classes are now offered on-site, held on the viewing platform (making it a super scenic experience!). Classes run for one hour, from 10am-11am, Thursday-Monday.
- Go Ice Skating (in winter): During the winter months, Lake Tekapo is a little winter wonderland, and you can go for a skate on the ice rink. It’s such a great spot – I loved the days when I headed out after work for a glide (or slide!) on the ice!
- Play Mini Golf (in spring & summer): Tekapo Springs now has an 18-hole mini golf course during the spring and summer months, replacing the ice rink as the weather warms up. It’s a great activity for everyone!
There’s also a café on-sight, with both indoor and outdoor seating (hello lake views!). So if you need a little pick-me-up, you can grab it right here!
– MacLaren Footbridge
The MacLaren Footbridge is a standout point around the lake. This bridge connects the centre of town to the right side of the lake, with the Church of the Good Shepherd and beyond.
This bridge is definitely a prime photo spot (then again most places around Lake Tekapo are!).
Walking the footbridge is more picturesque than taking the highway bridge, but if you do walk that one you get the view to the footbridge with the lake beyond which is also lovely!
– Walks
Walking in Lake Tekapo is another must do activity. There are a choice of walks, including:
Foreshore Walkway
The Foreshore Walkway is the easiest, most accessible walking path in Lake Tekapo. I mean, you literally can’t miss it. When simply exploring around the lake itself, you will find yourself on this walkway.
It makes for the perfect lakeside stroll to take in the lake and mountain views. Or, I can confirm it is the perfect running spot! As a runner who lived in Lake Tekapo, I could not count the number of times I ran on this path in the 4 months I was there. I mean there aren’t that many other options of routes but still, I will forever love this path. Actually, my real love of (obsession with) running began from running countless miles along here!
The foreshore walk essentially runs from the the lakeside by Tekapo Springs, to the Sheepdog memorial. However, you can continue even further, which leads to the next walk…
Pines Beach Walkway
The Pines Beach Walkway begins around 900m to the right of the Sheepdog Memorial. This flat, lakeside trail leads to none other than Pines Beach, a pebble beach, with views which give another perspective of the town and lake.
Mt. John Summit Circuit Track
The Mt. John Summit Circuit Track is more of a ‘hike’ and very much is a must do in Lake Tekapo.
The walk begins from the far left of the lake, just by Tekapo Springs (so you can incorporate the foreshore walkway with this walk too, if you wish to walk to the start from the centre of town).
As the name ‘Mount’ John suggests, this walk does involve a climb. You meander up through the woodlands by Tekapo Springs – there is a good view over the complex as you head up. It then opens up to the open mountainside. The climb can be a little steep at times, but it’s not too long and very doable!
At the top of the mountain is the Mt John Observatory View Point, in addition the Summit View Point. Just by the Summit View Point is a café, so you can stop here for a treat to enjoy with the stunning views if you wish! There is also a car park, so you can drive up, but I definitely recommend doing the walk.
From the summit, the views over Lake Tekapo are unmatched, especially on a bright day. The water was SO turquoise the first time I went up and it looked insane from the mountain!
To do the full circuit walk, just continue along the mountain, which, after around 35 minutes of walking from the summit, leads back down to the lakeside. The full circuit walk is around 8.3km.
If you don’t want to walk the whole circuit, it is highly worth even just heading up from the lake to the top of Mt. John and back down the same way. This would make the overall walk around half the distance, a little over 4km.
Cowans Hill Walkway
The walk to Cowans Hill is another excellent choice. This walk is on the right hand side of the Tekapo river (over the bridge from the lake), and actually takes you away from the lake. The Cowans Hill Walkway heads through forest trails, before opening up to Cowans Hill. From the peak, you are facing towards the township, with the lake and mountains in full view. A totally different perspective than the Mt. John walk provides!
Tekapo Regional Park
For some more forest, trail walks (or runs), head to the Tekapo Regional Park.
As a distance runner, in order to make my long runs long, I’d head here when I’d exhausted the foreshore track! It was such a change of scenery than the lakeside and so nice to hit the trails. It feels like you’ve gone far from the lake when in fact you haven’t. There are various trails you can follow, perfect for walking/running or even mountain biking.
– Stargazing
Lake Tekapo is a part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, which is actually the largest dark sky reserve in the world. This pretty little town is therefore one of THE best places in New Zealand (in the world!!) to marvel at the night sky (of the Southern Hemisphere). Fortunately, the town knows how to make the best of this and offers various tours to experience the dazzling sky to the fullest.
With knowledgeable guides who give a great insight into the stars and planets visible in the Southern Hemisphere, and with top equipment for you to view the wonders of the sky up close, a stargazing tour in Lake Tekapo really is a brilliant activity. You really won’t get another night sky experience quite like it!
Of course, if it’s too cloudy tours will be cancelled. So fingers crossed its a good night for you!!
Tours can be booked online or at one of the booking offices in town. Each tour has its own perks! I’ll leave a few options below (there are more!) for you to take a look at….
A great tour option is the top rated Lake Tekapo Stargazing Experience:
Or you might want to head up Mount John (don’t worry you don’t have to hike up in the dark, you will be transported to the summit), to the University of Canterbury Mount John Observatory for an unforgettable night sky experience with the Mount John Observatory Stargazing Tour:
As mentioned under the Tekapo Springs sections, the combined hot pools and star gazing experience is one of a kind! This option just might take your fancy!
– Scenic Flight With Air Safaris
Air Safaris in Lake Tekapo offers the opportunity to go on a scenic flight from Lake Tekapo. The 50-Minute Mount Cook and Beyond Scenic Flight leaves from a small airport located on the Tekapo-Twizel Road, just 3km from the centre of town.
Air Safaris will take you on the ultimate scenic adventure, you won’t experience another quite like this! It is highly rated for a reason!
The flight heads over Aoraki Mt Cook – an unforgettable experience to see NZ’s highest mountain up-close, from above. But that’s not the only highlight, with glaciers, lakes and more to be seen, the entire flight will leave you in awe. Oh and each passenger gets a window seat!
– Lake Activities
In Lake Tekapo you of course can and should take advantage of activities on the lake. This applies more to a visit in spring/summer, but hey you might be crazy enough to go out there in winter, or at least for a dip (I can confirm it is freezing in the lake in winter!).
Whether you wish to swim, kayak, stand-up paddleboard or the likes, this is an amazing place to do just that!
Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards can be rented from Paddle Tekapo, which is open every day in in the spring/summer, beginning from early October. Paddle Tekapo can be found heading left along the lake. It’s around a 20 minute walk from the centre of town, just a 5 minute walk from Tekapo Springs.
When you’re done being active on the lake, chill out on the pebbled lake-front – beach vibes!
– Skiing at Roundhill
Tekapo, with the stunning mountains framing the lake, is also a great place from where to take advantage of them! Skiing/Snowboarding is a brilliant winter activity in Lake Tekapo.
Roundhill Ski Area is the go-to, offering stunning views of Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook in the distance.
The ski season generallly runs from the end of June until mid September.
For more information and to book your passes and equipment, head over to Roundhill’s website here.
– Play Golf at the Cairns Golf Course
The Cairns Golf Course is part of The Cairns Alpine Resort. The course is just a 10-15 minute walk from the centre of town.
It has to be one of the most scenic golf courses. The course has 9 holes and offers amazing views over Lake Tekapo.
Oh and don’t worry if you haven’t packed your golf clubs, you can hire some.
If you are interested in playing golf, you might want to stay consider staying at The Cairns Alpine Resort, which includes the Alpine Lodges and Mt John Homestead. A 50% discount on rounds and equipment is available to all guests.
– Visit Mount Cook from Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo is also a great base from where you can take a day trip to the must visit Mount Cook National Park.
If you have a car, it’s a little over an hour drive. You can then have full freedom to spend as long as you like enjoying the beautiful Mount Cook.
Alternatively, you can also head out on an organised day trip, such as the Mt Cook Day Tour with Pukaki, Tasman, & Tekapo Lake. This tour leaves from outside the supermarket in town, taking you to Mount Cook National Park, with a stop at Peter’s Lookout to see the stunning Lake Pukaki on the way. The first stop in Mount Cook is the Tasman Glacier viewpoint, where you have 45 minutes and can undertake a short hike. Next up is the Hooker Valley Track, where you have 4 hours to enjoy Mount Cook’s most popular hike. Afterwards, there is 30 minutes to chill out around the main village of Mount Cook, before heading back to Tekapo.
Hopefully this Lake Tekapo travel guide helps you plan your trip, and most importantly, realise that a trip to Lake Tekapo really is worth taking!!
