Best Time to Visit Lake Tekapo for 2 Days Itinerary, What to Do & Where to Go

Day 1 | Morning

Tekapo Springs

Opening Hours: 10:00-21:00

Ticket Price: 27 NZD

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: 6 Lakeside Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand

Tekapo Hot Springs is located at the foot of Mount John, and it's a good place to relax after climbing. There are three different hot spring pools, you can enjoy the beautiful lake view while soaking in the hot spring, relieve the fatigue of the journey, and there are more items such as sauna and spa for you to choose from.

Day 1 | Afternoon

Church of the Good Shepherd nearby is the top choice before you leave Tekapo Springs and hit the road.

Church of the Good Shepherd

Ticket Price: Free

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours

Location: Pioneer Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand

Located high on the shores of Lake Tekapo, the Church of the Good Shepherd was built in 1935 and named after a sculpture of a shepherd dog. Made entirely of rock blocks, this church is a classic postcard view of Lake Tekapo. At night, the church under the stars is even more beautiful, and it is also an excellent location for shooting star trails. 1. The appearance of the church is primitive and simple. Although it is not big, it has a unique flavor. The area of the church is only 20 to 30 square meters, which is very small. There is a small stone cross on the north roof, a small bell tower on the west side of the south roof, and a small bronze bell hangs in the arched wall hole. The outer wall of the entire church is a random combination of the original dark gray, light gray, cyan and brown of the rock, while the roof is a black stone piece. Such a primitive and rustic appearance makes it special in this open lakeside wilderness. Harmony and harmony. Although the church is small, it is very famous. During the day, there will be buses with tour groups arriving one after another. At night, you often encounter people who bring professional photography equipment to take pictures of the stars. Walking into the church, there are five or six rows of benches on the left and right sides. From the middle aisle to the pulpit by the window, a cross ten centimeters high stands in front of the glass window, against the light, outside the window is the blue sky and white clouds and the lake water. Great view, with views of Mount Cook in the distance. 2. Bronze statue of a shepherd dog next to the church A towering bronze statue of a shepherd dog can be seen not far from the church. It is used to commemorate the contribution made by the shepherd dog to protecting the flock. The statue is also engraved with "No Shepherd". Dogs, there would be no small town today" and other words. 3. Look up at the starry sky and watch the unique astronomical scene. If you plan to go here in the middle of the night, you need to check whether the weather is fine in advance. When you lie on a bench by the lake and look up at the stars, you can see unique astronomical sights that can only be seen in the southern hemisphere, such as the Southern Cross constellation, the Magellanic Cloud and the Milky Way satellite galaxies, etc. If you are lucky, you can even see meteors passing by night sky. With the exception of the Church of the Good Shepherd, the entire Lake Tekapo area is a good spot for stargazing as long as you stay away from street lights. Of course, if the budget is sufficient, you can also sign up for the stargazing cluster on Mount John.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: At night, it's a great place to watch the stars ～ Although the hotel is very close to ～, as long as the road is two (opposite) away, the starry sky is different ～ You can see the stardust in the Shepherd Church or Space Museum ～ The hotel chose pepper blue water. It is recommended to get to the hotel early to enjoy the hotel 😎 sunshine time Can go to the lake to feel the scenery

Hi HK: The Church of the Good Shepherd Good Shepherd Church in South Island, New Zealand is one of the most popular attractions on South Island. The church faces Lake Tekapo Tikapo. The weather was bad. Unfortunately we couldn't stay long. We will be back.

Day 1 | Evening

For convenient access to more popular attractions, Ranginui B&B is the best places.

Ranginui B&B

When you stay at Ranginui B&B in Lake Tekapo, you'll be in the mountains, within a 5-minute drive of Lake Tekapo and Church of the Good Shepherd. This 4-star bed & breakfast is 2.4 mi (3.9 km) from Tekapo Springs and 1 mi (1.6 km) from Sheepdog Statue. Take in the views from a terrace and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless Internet access. A complimentary full breakfast is served daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Free self parking is available onsite. Stay in one of 3 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available to keep you connected. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.

Day 2 | Morning

Mount John

Opening Hours: Open all day

Ticket Price: Free

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: 422 Godley Peaks Road， Tekapo 7999

Mount John is the commanding height of the town of Lake Tekapo. From the top of the mountain, you can overlook the panoramic view of Lake Tekapo and the town. There is a famous star-gazing point MtJohnUniversityObservatory on the top of the mountain, and you can experience the world-famous starry sky of Tekapo at night.

Day 2 | Afternoon

Now we come to another great highlight in the city: Fairlie Farmstay.

Fairlie Farmstay

Opening Hours: Open all day

Recommended Length of Stay: 0.5-1 Days

Location: Nixons Rd, Fairlie 7987

There are many farms of different sizes and characteristics in the surrounding area of Fairlie. Here you can experience the rich and colorful farm life, visit the orchards and vegetable gardens, learn about the growth of animals and plants, chat with the host family, taste the rich and delicious farm dinners and breakfasts, experience the local customs and culture, and spend a relaxing and unforgettable experience. time.

Day 2 | Evening

After visiting the glorious Fairlie Farmstay, Galaxy Boutique Hotel nearby is the best place to stay.

Galaxy Boutique Hotel

The Galaxy Boutique Hotel provides a great place for travelers to relax after a busy day. The Galaxy Boutique Hotel offers a pleasant stay in Lake Tekapo for those traveling for business or leisure.

The hotel is located approximately 92km from Mount Cook Airport. Mount Cook Airport is approximately 92km away by road. Famous local attractions Tekapo Adventures, Mount John Summit Circuit Track and The Cairns Golf Course, can all be reached with a short walk.

At the end of a busy day, travelers can unwind and relax in the hotel or go out and enjoy the city. For those driving themselves, parking is provided on site.

According to our trusted guests, the facilities at this hotel are first-rate.

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.