Things to do in Tekapo

Tekapo Springs

Soak in the stunning lake and mountain views at Tekapo Springs, treat yourself at the day spa, or try the outdoor ice skating rink and awesome snow tubing!

Astro Café – Mt John

Visit the mountain-top Astro Café at Mt John’s Observatory for the most incredible 360-degree views of the Mackenzie Basin.  Fully enclosed in glass, protecting from the elements but not restricting the views the Astro Café serves a good selection of food and drinks.

You can either drive or walk to the Astro Café at the summit of Mt John.  If driving there is an entry charge of $8 per vehicle payable at the kiosk on the Mt John Access road.  Or there are a couple of tracks to walk to the summit.

Take a flight with Air Safaris 

There are a number of options with Air Safaris but if you can do the Grand Traverse you’ll have the flight of a lifetime, it’s around 50 minutes air time and you’ll see beautiful turquoise glacial lakes, golden tussock lands, the braided river systems of the Mackenzie basin, glacial valleys, New Zealand’s highest mountains and largest glaciers – including Aoraki Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier

Go stargazing

The area around Tekapo is the world’s largest “dark sky reserve” and one of the best places in the world to view the stars. Dark Sky Project operate a range of different tour options at Mt John and Cowan’s Hill Observatories, with extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides to navigate your way around the solar system.

Golf at the Cairns

The Cairns Golf Course is designed to be a fun 18-hole golf course with strategy being key, you can also enjoy views of both the McKenzie Basin and the Tekapo area.  To hire clubs and carts go to the office located at the Balmoral Farmyard.

Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd

The Church of the Good Shepherd, a beautiful little church is well worth a visit, if you walk down to the village you can cross a footbridge and wander down to the church.
Head out for a walk

• Lake Tekapo walkway, 1 hour
  An easy mostly flat walk along the lakefront with information panels highlighting history along the walk.
• Cowan’s Hill walkway, 1-2 hours
  A relatively easy walk with a mix of footpath, gravel, and forested tracks.  The walk starts along the riverbank before heading into the forest plantation.  It climbs gently through the trees before emerging onto open country.  The gravel track follows to a high point before descending to the open tussock lands.
• Mt John Summit track, 2 hour return to 3 ½ hours return via the lakeshore track
  A moderate walk with some steep sections.  The track climbs steadily through larch trees before emerging out into open tussock.  There is a loop track that circles around Mt John below the observatory with stunning views.  Return the same way or take a longer option which descends down towards Lake Tekapo on a zig-zag track.
• Richmond Trail, 4 hours
  A moderate walk with some steep sections.  The trail travels along an old glacial terrace providing stunning views of Lake Tekapo and surrounding mountains.
• Peninsula walkway, 2 ½ hours
  An easy walk on a gravel track.  The trail follows the shoreline around the peninsula with lovely views of the lake, Mt John, and surrounding mountains.

For more information on the walks click here.