In 24 hours, you can cover the top activities in Tekapo, New Zealand. This is my travel guide; what to do, where to stay, and where to get coffee.

the church of the good shepherd by lake tekapo — *The Church of the Good Shepherd*

On any South Island road trip, you’re likely to pass through Tekapo.

Lake Tekapo sits at the foothills of the Southern Alps, with the tawny mountain ranges often reflected in the bright blue water.

The small town of Tekapo is a popular stop on the route between Christchurch and Queenstown. As well as stunning scenery, there are many places to stay and things to do in Tekapo, making it an an activity hub.

I’ve visited Tekapo many times on road trips around the South Island. It’s pretty — but (controversially?) I think it only deserves a quick stop.

Keep reading to find hear my honest opinion about visiting Tekapo.

jump ahead.

In a nutshell

In 24 hours or less, you can check off the must-do activities in Tekapo:

Stroll around the lakefront and see the Church of the Good Shepherd
Go stargazing at night, either wing it or check out Chameleon Stargazing to understand the night sky in more depth.
Visit the Astro Cafe at the Mt John Observatory for coffee, views, and walks

A quick guide to Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is famous because of the incredible blue water, which contrasts beautifully with the surrounding mountains, and for the small church on the edge of the lake. It’s also a popular place for star gazing, thanks to its location in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve.

Is it worth seeing Lake Tekapo? My short answer is yes, it’s worth seeing the lake.

Tekapo is conveniently located halfway between Christchurch and Queenstown, on State Highway 8. You can’t miss it, so it’s well worth stopping here on a South Island road trip.

The caveat is that you don’t need to stop for long.

You only need one night in Tekapo, as you can easily visit the small town and lake front in 24 hours. This will give you enough time to see the lake, admire the church, and head up Mount Saint John for the view.

In the evening, go stargazing. The next morning you can choose one of the walks to do around Tekapo and by midday you’ll be ready to head to your next stop.

Truly — there’s not much more to do than that, unless you plan on using Tekapo as a base for visiting Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

When is the best time to visit Lake Tekapo?

The most popular time to visit Lake Tekapo is from late spring (November) to early autumn (March). During these months, the weather is warmest and the famous lupins are blooming around the lake.

However, Tekapo is also beautiful in winter, when snow dusts the mountains and lakeshore. The winter months (June to September) also offer clearer, darker skies for stargazing.

Why is Tekapo’s water so blue?

The primary reason for the intense blue colour of Lake Tekapo's water is the presence of fine rock flour, produced by glaciers at the head of the lake grinding over rocks. The glacial silt stays suspended in the lake water rather than settling at the bottom.

I found the blue of Pukaki to be more impressive than Lake Tekapo though — to my eyes Pukaki looked like a lighter sky blue, while Tekapo is a darker cobalt.

Lake Tekapo has gravelly beaches close to the township, where it’s safe to swim in summer.

You can swim in Tekapo all year round but it can be chilly — the water temperature of the lake dips to around 6 °C (42.8°F) in September and warms up to around 17 °C (62°F) in January.

You might see or hear Tekapo referred to as Takapō, which is the original Māori name for the lake. Some businesses have embraced the original name, while others stick to the misspelled Englishified version.

What to expect from Lake Tekapo

Tekapo is, dare I say it, a little bit of a tourist trap.

The tiny town is one of the main pit stops between Christchurch and Queenstown, so it gets very busy during peak months.

You’ll see a lot of people doing photo shoots down by the lake, and seeing swarms of people surround the tiny church is a little hilarious.

I’m sharing this opinion because I want to give a fair picture of what to expect. I don’t want you to get there and realise that all the photos of lupin fields you saw are just cleverly angled photos! (The first time I visited, I was a little disappointed by the sparse, scraggly flower bushes).

Lake Tekapo is truly beautiful though. My advice is embrace the touristy-ness and do a photo shoot of your own, along with some of the other cool things to do in Tekapo.

The best things to do in Lake Tekapo

Tekapo is a small town, and there isn’t a huge amount to do here. These are the top attractions.

1. Go star gazing in Lake Tekapo

Choose from cheap(er) and cheerful with Chameleon Stargazing or go for the full observatory experience with the Dark Sky Project

Tekapo is special thanks to its location in the middle of the Aoraki/Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve.

The Mackenzie region has some of the clearest, most spectacular night skies in the world. This dark sky reserve was the third to be recognised in the world and is the dark sky largest reserve in the Southern Hemisphere.

The night sky in Lake Tekapo is exceptionally clear, with very little light pollution. If you’re very lucky, you might even get to see the Southern Lights from Tekapo.

You can go stargazing in Tekapo by simply heading to the lake shore at night (rug up warm!) and staring up at the sky. On moonless, clear nights you can see the vast sweep of the Milky Way.

However, if you are really interested in astronomy, you’ll get a lot more out of a tour.

Telescopes on tours can help you see many more deep sky objects than you can by star gazing by yourself without a powerful telescope.

For a curated experience, you can visit the observatory located on the mountain rising next to the lake. Nowhere offers a better view of the night sky than the summit of Mount John, reached by a 15 minute drive from Tekapo town.

At 1,029 metres high, Mount John offers 360-degree views which are just as impressive at night time as they are during the day.

The Dark Sky Project offers a star gazing experience from the Mount John observatory, guided by astronomy experts. You’ll see the night sky in a new light, with stories drawn from Maori astronomy illuminating the Southern skies.

Using the telescopes in the observatory, you’ll be able to see the Milky Way, planets, star clusters, and even galaxies.

The whole experience costs $159 for adults and lasts for 1 hour 45 minutes.

A more budget-friendly option for stargazing in Tekapo is to go with Chameleon Stargazing. Their tours start from $65 per person, with a 90 minute tour that includes hot chocolate, marshmallows, and photos of you with the night sky.

Chameleon’s whole focus is on having a small, personalised experience, so it’s also a great option if you like friendly customer experience.

If stargazing is one of the top things you want to do in Tekapo, I recommend staying at least two nights, in case of bad weather. If the clouds close in, you might need to move your stargazing tour to the following night.

The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is supported by huge efforts from the community. There are lighting ordinances across the district to help protect the pristine night skies, including initiatives like dark sky friendly street lamps — this is the only region in New Zealand to have warm, amber streetlights.

One fact I love about the reserve is that the lack of light pollution allows insects and other creatures to thrive. (I wrote about this in more detail for Atlas Obscura, if you’re interested).

This means that supporting the reserve is in a way a form of eco-tourism — all living things benefit from less light pollution, including humans. See if you notice a better night’s sleep in the pitch black of the reserve!

2. Walk the lakefront and admire the blue water

*The lakefront is rocky and somewhat covered in weeds, but the water is stunning*

When you first get to Tekapo, the first thing you’ll do is walk around the lakefront to admire the colour of the water.

The Maclaren Footbridge (see it on Google Maps here) gives you a good vantage point, as does Pines Beach in Lake Tekapo Regional Park.

It takes around 30 minutes to walk from the bridge, to the Church of the Good Shepherd, to Pines Beach.

The lake looks stunning in any weather, so no need to worry about the forecast. On more overcast days, though, the surface of the lake can look more silver than blue.

The light on the lake and the mountains changes throughout the day, so it’s worth waking up early for sunrise or sticking around for the sunset.

And if you can’t resist the temptation of the blue water, go ahead and jump in — it’s safe to swim in Lake Tekapo.

If you have kids, check out the playground on the waterfront. There’s an epic looking flying fox there that looks right out at the lake — I was tempted to have a go myself.

3. Stop by the Church of the Good Shepherd

Taking a few photos of the Church of the Good Shepherd is a must-do activity in Tekapo.

It’s a bit cheesy and underwhelming — most of the photos you see are artfully angled so you can’t see the town in the background or the many people strolling around the tiny church.

But even so, it’s a pretty photo spot and you’ll walk past it anyway if you’re exploring the lakefront.

The best time to go is early in the morning — sunrises at Lake Tekapo can be epic — or later in the evening. If you’re into astrophotography, it’s also a great place for taking photos after dark.

One of the most popular things to do in Tekapo is to visit the sheepdog memorial that stands near the Church of the Good Shepherd.

It might seem unremarkable at first, but the story behind the dog is a good reminder of the history of the area.

Scottish shepherds came to work on farms in the Mackenzie country in the 1800s, bringing with the ‘canine Scots’ — border collies.

The rugged and hostile high country would have been impossible to farm without the collies, so the statue was put in place by farmers in 1968 to recognise the contribution of their four legged friends.

You might notice other Scottish influences as you’re travelling around the South Island.

The Otago region’s Scottish origins are apparent in names like ‘Dunedin’, which is an older version of ‘Edinburgh’, and Invercargill, which includes the Gaelic word for river mouth, ‘inver’, familiar from names like Inverness.

In some parts of the South Island, you might even hear Scottish influence in the New Zealand accent — some Southlanders roll their ‘r’s, a relic of the Scottish English once spoken around here.

4. Spot lupins along the lakefront

lupins in lake tekapo — *I found these flowers on the edge of a parking lot and loved the contrast with fall colours.*

I have a somewhat embarrassing confession to make.

The first time I visited Lake Tekapo was to see the lupins flowering.

It’s a long way to go from Auckland to see patches of weeds. Regardless, the lupins are pretty, and a main draw in Tekapo.

If you’re visiting Tekapo in spring or early summer — between November and early January — you can see the lupins flowering.

They grow around the lakefront near town, so you’ll see them easily, although they aren’t the lush flower fields most photos would have you believe. They grow in clumps and often it’s some clever camera placement making them look a lot more dense.

The lake colour also contrasts with the purple lupin flowers.

There is also a lupin field on the outskirts of town, where you can take some great photos — see the location on Google maps here.

These flowers are a little controversial. They are a noxious weed and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are working to eradicate them. This means you don’t need to worry about trampling all over them to get your shot.

5. Head up to the Mount John Observatory for coffee, cake, and a view

lake tekapo view from Mt John summit — *The view from Mt John Summit*

During the day, the Mount John Observatory provides an excellent view of Lake Tekapo. The observatory is only a 15-minute drive from Tekapo town.

Note that there is an $8 entry fee per vehicle to drive up to the observatory.

The Astro Cafe at the observatory is a great spot to go for morning or afternoon tea.

Get yourself a drink and a snack and admire the sweeping views of Lake Tekapo below.

You can also walk from the cafe along trails crisscrossing the golden hillside, which is a nice way to get some steps in if you don’t fancy hiking up the Mount John Walkway.

If driving up to the observatory feels like cheating (or you just don’t want to pay the entry fee) the Tekapo Mount John Walkway makes a great half day hike.

The 9 kilometre loop takes around 3 hours - definitely long enough to deserve a treat from the Astro Cafe at the top.

Starting from the lakeshore, just past Tekapo Springs, the trail climbs through forest until it reaches the Mount John Observatory and lookout point. You walk back down the same way.

6. Stop by Petronella’s, one of the best little independent bookstores in the country

Petronella’s Bookstore is a real little gem in Tekapo. The shop won Aotearoa Bookshop of the year in 2024, for good reason.

Locally owned and run with love, the bookstore has a great selection of books. It’s worth dropping in on your way down the main street of Tekapo, to maybe pick up your next holiday read from a New Zealand author — maybe a copy of Ruth Shaw’s The Bookseller at the end of the World, or Eleanor Catton’s Birnam Wood.

Books make great souvenirs, in my opinion, and it’s always nice to support little local businesses like this one.

The store also has a few small gifts and homewares to browse, so you never know what you might find to take away with you.

Where to eat in Tekapo

For breakfast or lunch, The Greedy Cow Cafe is your best option in Tekapo.

I stopped by and grabbed a pie for lunch and scoffed it in minutes.

The cabinet is packed with classic New Zealand foods (pies, rolls, all the goodies) and the coffee is much better than what you would normally expect in a small town.

If you haven’t already tried a flat white, you should give it a go — it’s one of the most iconic drinks to try while in New Zealand.

As well as the Astro Cafe and the Greedy Cow Cafe, one of the best places to eat in Tekapo is the Blue Lake Eatery & Bar.

This is a great spot for dinner, with a menu that features local produce and a range of homemade breads and sauces.

Blue Lake is also home to one of New Zealand's smallest breweries, Burkes Brewing Co, which produces unique beers from quality ingredients.

If you’re travelling on a budget, a word of warning; Tekapo is an expensive place to eat. Even the local Four Square supermarket seemed a lot more expensive than usual (it’s the same at the Fresh Choice in Te Anau — these supermarkets can charge more because they are in remote, but popular, locations).

So stock up on groceries in Queenstown or Christchurch (Pak’n Save is the cheapest).

Visiting Aoraki/Mount Cook from Lake Tekapo

I wouldn’t really class visiting Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park as an activity to do in Tekapo — it takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive to Mount Cook from Tekapo — but you might see a lot of suggestions that this is the case.

That’s because finding accommodation in Mount Cook Village can be exceptionally difficult, and when rooms are available they are often very expensive.

Tekapo and Twizel are the only sizeable towns within striking distance of Aoraki/Mount Cook, so it is entirely feasible to stay in Tekapo and visit as a day trip.

Where to stay in Lake Tekapo

Tekapo offers a range of accommodation, from hostels to hotels.

Splurge:

The Mackenzie Suites are almost lakefront, with beautiful views and rooms.
Alpine Lodges are also stunning

Mid range:

Galaxy Boutique Hotel Lake Tekapo has skylights in its upper suites, so you can stare straight up at the stars from your bed.

Budget:

Haka House has incredible lake views for budget-friendly prices.
I have also stayed in Tailor Made Tekapo before and it’s a sweet little place with a pretty garden.

South Island itineraries that stop by Lake Tekapo

The easiest way to get to Tekapo is by driving in your own vehicle. It’s a three hour drive from both Christchurch and Queenstown.

Driving in either direction is a scenic and stunning trip, with plenty of places to stop along the way, so it will likely take you a lot longer than just three hours — I would schedule a whole day to get from either Christchurch or Queenstown to Tekapo.

Check out these itineraries to help plan your trip:

Thanks for reading this far!

I hope these recommendations on what to do in Tekapo were helpful in planning your trip.

8 best things to do in Lake Tekapo in 24 hours

A quick guide to Lake Tekapo