Mackenzie & Aoraki
Lake Tekapo
This stunning turquoise lake is famous for its iconic stone church, colourful summer lupins, and as a centrepiece of the Dark Sky Reserve.
About this place
The incredible turquoise colour of Lake Tekapo comes from fine, light-reflecting rock flour suspended in the water, ground up by the glaciers that feed it. The lake is set against a dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps, creating one of New Zealand's most picturesque scenes. The township of Tekapo sits on the lake's southern shore and serves as a base for exploring the Mackenzie region.
On the foreshore stands the small, iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, one of the country's most photographed buildings. Nearby, a bronze statue of a sheepdog pays tribute to the region's pastoral farming history. From mid-November to January, the shoreline comes alive with the vibrant colours of blooming wild lupins.
Time needed
A few hours to a full day
Best time
Beautiful year-round, with colourful lupins blooming from roughly mid-November to January.
Practical tips
- The lake’s distinctive colour is most intense and vibrant on sunny days.
- For an excellent vantage point over the lake and the entire Mackenzie Basin, take the drive up to the summit of Mount John.
- A walk or cycle along the shared pathway on the eastern side of the lake offers changing perspectives of the water and mountains.