#laketekapo

#magicalxmastrip #laketekapo #newzealand Nestled in New Zealand’s breathtaking Mackenzie Basin, Lake Tekapo is a must-visit destination that combines stunning landscapes, stargazing, and natural relaxation. Here are the top three reasons this magical spot deserves a spot on your travel list. 1. Turquoise Waters & Epic Scenery Lake Tekapo’s vibrant, turquoise waters, colored by glacial minerals, are surrounded by golden tussocks and snow-capped mountains. Whether you’re strolling along the shoreline, hiking up Mount John, or capturing photos of the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, the views are otherworldly. Every angle is Instagram-worthy, and the peaceful ambiance will leave you in awe. 2. A Stargazer’s Paradise Lake Tekapo sits in a Dark Sky Reserve, making it one of the best places on Earth to gaze at the stars. On a clear night, the Milky Way lights up the sky like a cosmic masterpiece. Visit the Mount John Observatory for a guided stargazing tour, or simply lie back and marvel at the celestial show above. It’s an unforgettable experience that’ll leave you star-struck! 3. Hot Springs & Relaxation After a day of exploring, unwind at the Tekapo Springs Hot Pools, where you can soak in warm waters while gazing at the surrounding mountains. Whether it’s winter or summer, the serene setting is perfect for relaxing and recharging. From its vibrant waters to its magical night skies, Lake Tekapo is a slice of paradise waiting to be explored. Add it to your itinerary—you won’t regret it!

Lake Tekapo is a beautiful turquoise lake with a serene atmosphere and stunning mountain views. There are many spots around the lake for taking beautiful photos. The lake is also home to The Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935 to commemorate the people who settled in the Mackenzie region. This small church is located by the lake and exudes tranquility amidst the beautiful nature. Nearby, there is also a prominent statue of a sheepdog, which is a popular photo spot.

10/19-21 we were in Tekapo, I decided to write about Tekapo first in my New Zealand trip (10/10-10/22), mainly because it was at the end of the trip🤣 and the memories are still fresh🤣 We witnessed different beauties of Lake Tekapo during these three days, which left a deep impression on me. However, there was a bit of regret – the stargazing tour was cloudy, and we couldn't see the stunning Milky Way with the naked eye. We arrived in Tekapo on the afternoon of 10/19 (a quick note, we took a helicopter ride and did glacier hiking in Mount Cook that morning🤩). The weather in the afternoon was excellent, with few clouds, making the blue of Lake Tekapo incredibly beautiful (photos 1-3). Walking along the lake, not far away is the Church of the Good Shepherd (photos 4-5). I was very excited to see this church because I had seen many stunning photos of the Milky Way taken with this church in the foreground online. Tekapo has been dedicated to reducing artificial light pollution at night for decades, earning it the reputation of a stargazing town. Unfortunately, it was cloudy on the nights of the 19th and 20th, so our stargazing tour didn't go as planned. But it's okay to leave some regrets; we will come back next time! The itinerary on 10/20 was very free. After a leisurely breakfast, we walked along the lake towards the Mount John trail, aiming to reach the top and overlook Tekapo! The trail to Mount John is mostly shaded, making it less sunny but all uphill, with some gentle and some steep sections. The last part is an open grassland at the top. It took me almost an hour to hike up from the trailhead (going down only took half the time🤭). At the top, there is the Mount John University Observatory (where the night stargazing tour was supposed to be) and an Astro Cafe. After a short rest, it was photo time! The view of Lake Tekapo from the top is truly spectacular, and there is a rock that everyone must take a photo with (photos 6-7). However, it was cloudier on the 20th, so the lake wasn't as blue as the previous day, but still incredibly beautiful! We leisurely stayed on the mountain for an hour; it was really chill and relaxing🤣. Going down was very quick, and we headed straight to 'Morelea Lakeside.' The enthusiastic hostess made a delicious pavlova cake. For those who don't like sweet things, you can order unsweetened tea to go with it. The view from her house is absolutely stunning, and I envy her for seeing such fairyland-like scenery every day😍. On 10/21, before moving to the next city, we took a few more beautiful photos before noon🤣 (photos 10-12). Ah～～I really love this place!!! Looking forward to traveling here again!!!

During our road trip across New Zealand's South Island, we were fortunate to witness the lupin flowers in full bloom along the shores of Lake Tekapo. Although lupin flowers are not native to New Zealand and are even considered an invasive species, they have become an iconic part of the Lake Tekapo landscape. Lupin flowers typically bloom in late spring and early summer, carpeting the riverbanks, roadsides, and lakeshores with stunning hues of purple, pink, blue, and white. #flowerblossom #100WaysOfTravel #newzealand #nature #lake #laketekapo #tekapo #lupin #flowers

We were delighted to witness the beautiful lupin flowers in full bloom when we visited Lake Tekapo on New Zealand's South Island in late November. The lupin flowers around Lake Tekapo are a breathtaking sight, especially during late spring and early summer (November to January). These vibrant, colorful flowers create vast, picturesque fields along the lake's shoreline, framed by the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and the distant Southern Alps. #flowerblossom #100WaysOfTravel #newzealand #nature #lake #laketekapo #tekapo #lupin #flowers

#冬旅 #夜景 #山中湖 #newzealand #laketekapo I went to Lake Tekapo with a friend in July 2024. To be honest, I don’t want to recommend that place. Because it was so ideal. But, if you visit next time there, there are some things that I’d like you to try. 1. NightSky Lake Tekapo is in the dark Sky reserve for people living now and future who might have no chance to see the beautiful night sky in daily life including me. I don’t talk in detail. But, just… it was great for me. 2. Pizza of Food Car Tasty pizza! I wasn’t expecting to meet a tasty pizza like that in the mountains. You may feel a bit expensive, but for me, it was worth trying definitely. By the way, I think we ordered kiwi pizza😏 Lunchtime and dinner time, take away. Near Japanese Kohan restaurant. (By the way, the photo I presented is not this pizza truck. But, the presented truck food was also nice!) 3. Take a Walk or Ride Bicycle I couldn’t ride a bicycle, but if possible, I wanted to do that. But just wear warm clothes because the wind or outside must be cold. 4. If possible, Car Pulling my suitcase from a bus stop to a accommodation was hard. If possible, it’s better to stay near the lake or bring easy-to-carry bags, or drive a car. That night there were just stars, night, and lake Tekapo.

The beautiful Lake Tekapo that requires no filter. Picturesque by day and dazzling by night, Lake Tekapo is part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing. #newzealand #laketekapo #unesco

Getting There - New Zealand; Christchurch Airport Attractions - Lake Tekapo, The Church of the Good Shepherd Hotels - Mantra Lake Tekapo Food & Restaurants - Blue Lake Eatery & Bar A good getaway from the city area. Located in a small town in the southern part of New Zealand. Drive was about 3.5 hours from Christchurch Airport. Amazing display of clear sky with lots of stars. Rare sight in most countries. Weather is below 0 degrees with occasional strong winds, t thick jacket and layering will be advisable. Definitely a recommendable place to visit this holiday. #newzealandtravel #laketekapo #mountcook

The lake often experiences a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The surrounding mountains, including the Southern Alps, are usually coated with a blanket of snow, creating a picturesque backdrop. The contrast between the icy blues of the lake and the white snow-covered peaks is visually striking. Amazing view and weather. #newzealand #laketekapo #全球旅行

Raining day at Lake Tekapo The view is still charming !#laketekapo

This place one of best place on earth new Zealand must visit. #laketekapo

Mesmerizing view with relaxing pace :) #newzealand #autumn #wanaka #mountcook #laketekapo

You will never forget the amazing view at Lake Tekapo. It always makes you feel calm and peace at every single moment. #newzealand #newzealandtravel #laketekapo

We arrived Lake Tekapo with great sunny day. Beautiful day with lupin flowers on the track to the lake. A must photo taking opportunity for all! The lake upfront is a must visit. Lots of free activities around the lake for the kiddos to enjoy. There are zip lines and playgrounds too. We enjoy having our lunch picnic in-front of the lake. The view of lake is like heaven on earth 🌍. #laketekapo