[2025 Lake Tekapo ] Travel Guide for Tekapo Springs (Updated Jan)

#newzealandtrip Lake Tekapo offers a breathtaking escape into nature’s tranquility, with its stunning turquoise waters set against the backdrop of the majestic Southern Alps. The lake’s unique color, a result of glacial silt, creates a picturesque scene that is perfect for photography and relaxation. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities, from stargazing at the renowned Mount John Observatory to soaking in the soothing waters of Tekapo Springs. The charming Church of the Good Shepherd, located on the lake’s edge, adds a touch of historical charm to the visit. Lake Tekapo is nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s South Island, within the Mackenzie District of the Canterbury region.

#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 wonderland like a dream. The lake is a mesmerizing turquoise color, shimmering with a mysterious glow under the sunlight. Surrounded by rolling mountains and vast grasslands, it forms a stunning natural picture. At night, Lake Tekapo reveals its unique charm. It boasts the purest starry sky in the world, free from any light pollution, making you feel as if you are in the center of the universe. Looking up at the sky, countless stars twinkle, making you marvel at the vastness and infinity of the universe. At Lake Tekapo, you can fully enjoy tranquility and beauty. You can stroll along the lake, feeling the breeze on your face, or choose to take a boat tour to admire the lake and mountains up close. In addition, there are many attractions worth visiting around Lake Tekapo, such as the Church of the Good Shepherd and Mount John. These places are full of historical and cultural charm, allowing you to appreciate the local culture while enjoying the natural scenery. Lake Tekapo is a tourist destination that will leave you longing for more. Its beauty, tranquility, and mystery will give you an unforgettable travel experience.

| Tekapo Hot Springs. Purchase an intercity pass card in New Zealand, take a bus to Lake Tekapo, or drive to YHA. Not far from the drop-off point is YHA Youth Hostel priced at 30 dollars or more per night, online check-in is at 3pm, but you can check in at 12pm~ This time I mainly went to Tekapo Hot Springs, here are some travel tips for you. 🌟Night Market Further ahead of the youth hostel is a small square, which is also the night market (4pm-7pm) stall area, there are souvenir shops and travel shops where you can book trips to Mount Cook and other places, there are Japanese food, Western food, rice noodles, Thai noodles, dim sum coffee. Good Shepherd Church, there is a gathering every Sunday. It's very beautiful during the day, the lake is sky blue and many tourists take pictures. 🌟Hot Springs The ground around the hot springs has already frozen. The entrance is on the slope above the parking lot. You can rent a swimsuit for 5 dollars at the hot springs, 20 dollars deposit, return the receipt and swimsuit to get the deposit back. You can buy tickets online in advance, 35 dollars on the spot at the hot springs, plus 10 dollars for sauna, plus 20 dollars for ice skating, hot springs plus ice skating combo ticket 50 dollars. The hot springs are outdoors directly opposite the changing room, there are 4 pools, the one with the glass wall on the outside is closed, leaving 3 pools with the highest temperature of 38 degrees. On one side of the hot springs, you can see the lake and the snow-capped mountains on the opposite shore, and on the other side, you can be seen by people climbing the mountain behind. Spa services are available for an extra fee. There are shower rooms with shower gel, shampoo and hair dryer, lockers for valuables cost 3 dollars, if you don't rent a locker, you can put it in the changing room or on the lockers in front of and behind the outdoor hot spring door. Closes at 7:30 pm. After the hot springs, walk back to the hostel and enjoy the sunset, arrive at ❤Night Market, the average price of food at the night market is around 5 dollars, within 10 dollars. 🌟Other Facilities and Activities You can book a Chinese stargazing tour, stay in the stargazing area at night, (didn't see any stars by the lake at night), helicopter glacier climbing mtcook❤2 hours, hiking, cycling, etc., there is a bicycle rental shop open from Wednesday to Sunday on the way from the hostel to the hot springs, recommended route is cycling along the lake, if you wish, you can also cycle to the salmon factory and twizel town 20-30 kilometers away. You can swim in the lake but only in designated areas, the lake bottom is mostly small stones~

New Zealand's South Island is always known for its picturesque scenery, every time I go to Tekapo, I am shocked by the beautiful scenery👍. There are snow-capped mountains in winter and lupines in summer, it's really a fairyland on earth✨! This hot spring pool♨ is located in Tekapo on the South Island. It's called Tekapo Springs~ It's my favorite and most beautiful hot spring pool in New Zealand. The site is staggered in height. The appearance is super high. It's fun (there is also a shower play area) the water quality is super good. The scenery is even more amazing (the snow-capped mountains in winter are extraordinary) Looking at lake tekapo and the spectacular mountains, soaking in the hot springs and playing with friends, after getting tired from soaking, you can eat something, then go to the Shepherd's Church⛪ to have a look, and stargaze at night🌟 all in one go (although the hot spring spot also recommends coming at night to soak in the hot springs and stargaze, but from my personal experience, the view at night is mostly covered by the steam from the hot springs, and it's hard to see clearly with the naked eye), it's still recommended to come during the day, it's super beautiful during the day! But remember to protect yourself from the sun~ 📍Address: 6 Lakeside Drive, Lake Tekapo 💰Tickets: Adult price is $27 per person, seniors $22 per person, children $15 per person, family ticket (2 adults 4 children) is $87. Swimsuits and towels can be rented ($5/item) a deposit of $20 is required when renting (refundable upon return). Lockers are $3 for every 3 hours. If you come to Tekapo, I highly recommend it! It's really super beautiful! I personally think it's much better than the Polynesian Spa experience in Rotorua haha