Best Things To Do In Lake Tekapo (2026): Top Attractions + Hidden Gems

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Lake Tekapo is easily one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand — and while it might be small, there’s plenty to see and do.

From scenic walks and stargazing to relaxing hot pools and day trips to Mount Cook, this guide covers the best things to do in Lake Tekapo — whether you’re visiting for a day or staying longer.

We’ve visited Tekapo multiple times, and it’s one of those places we keep coming back to — it just happens to be my favourite place in the world.

Best Things To Do In Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a must-visit destination in New Zealand and a perfect place to escape for a couple of days. You can read our Lake Tekapo 3-day itinerary to help you plan further.

While there are not a load of activities and attractions, there are enough to easily fill 2 or 3 days, or more if you enjoy outdoor activities. The biggest drawcard is the scenery!

You really can’t go past taking in the stunning views of the lake itself, but when you’re ready for some extra fun, these Lake Tekapo activities and attractions are perfect:

If you’re lucky, this can be one of the best places to see the Lake Tekapo Southern Lights, otherwise known as the Aurora Australis.

Dark Sky Project Experience

If you are only visiting Lake Tekapo for one night or less, you can still enjoy a memorable Tekapo stargazing experience!

Visit the indoor multi-media astronomy centre and view the night sky on the screen instead, to get a sample of the Lake Tekapo sky views offered.

This educational experience is 45 minutes long and runs during the daytime and early evening each day. This is a great stargazing option for visiting Lake Tekapo With kids.

Mount John Lookout

One of our favourite Lake Tekapo things to do was a drive up Mount John. There is a usage toll on the road, which is around $15 NZD, but very much worth it!

From Mount John, you can view stunning 360-degree views of Lake Tekapo and other lakes nearby, the Southern Alps and the Mackenzie flats. It is breathtaking to see and well worth the visit.

Insider Tip: Visit the Astro Cafe Tekapo for a meal or a snack during your visit to Mount John. There are few places in the world where you can enjoy a view this good with your coffee and cake! 

Visit Tekapo Springs

The Lake Tekapo hot springs are located at the base of Mount John and are a popular attraction for visiting the region. Imagine soaking in hot pools with mountain and lake views!

There are 3 Lake Tekapo hot pools, named after the 3 iconic lakes in the region: Tekapo, Pukaki and Oahu. There is also a day spa, steam and sauna rooms, for some well-deserved relaxation. But that’s not all…

Take your Tekapo star gazing to the next level with a unique astronomy experience while soaking in the hot pools. 

For the kids, there are cooler pools with aqua play areas, so they can enjoy water fun too. We spent a few hours here on our most recent visit on New Year’s Eve. It was a fun way to end the year.

Insider Tip: Beware that sneaky sun. It might not seem hot, but the UV index is often high, and sunburn is a big risk. Be sunsmart no matter what time of year you visit!

Make sure you book ahead. It can get busy during peak season and school holidays.

Don’t miss the chance to dine at Altitude 720 cafe, with breathtaking lake and mountain views. The cafe is open daily although opening times vary. 

Lake Tekapo Walks

As with most of New Zealand, Lake Tekapo hikes and walking tracks are a popular choice. Tramping is one of the most popular activities to do in New Zealand, so don’t miss the chance to take a walk in this beautiful part of the country.

We mentioned above the Mount John Summit Track, which takes you up to Mount John Lookout and Observatory. This is a popular walking track with moderate intensity. 

> 10 of the best South Island walks with kids in New Zealand

Things To Do In Lake Tekapo With Kids

Visiting Lake Tekapo with kids? We did, and we had an amazing time during both our visits to Lake Tekapo as a family! Here are some of the best family activities in Lake Tekapo:

Tekapo Lakeside Playground

Often it’s the simple things that stand out most for kids, and the playground at Lake Tekapo village is pretty awesome! 

There is a double flying fox, so you can enjoy amazing lake views while you fly along the track. It’s adult-friendly too. Trust me, we tried! 

There is also a slide and climbing frame, swings and other playground equipment to suit kids of different ages. 

Kid-Friendly Star Gazing

There are star-gazing tours that run earlier than the main tours with a younger audience in mind. And of course, the Dark Sky Project media experience is a perfect option too.

Skipping Rocks

It’s almost always too cold to swim in the lake, even on the hottest days, since the water is glacial from the mountains. But what is fun to do with the kids is skipping rocks across the still lake surface.

Simon loves to show off his rock skipping skills and the kids love to try. Just take care of other people nearby if your kids are a bad aim. My youngest is exceptional for throwing things backwards!

Outside of the winter season, they turn the ice skating area into a mini golf course instead. We had a lot of fun playing with the kids and their cousins last visit.

There are plenty of other outdoor activities to enjoy in the Lake Tekapo region too – cycling tracks and bicycle hire, walking tracks and hikes, and simply enjoying the scenery as you explore on foot. 

There is also a petting zoo in Lake Tekapo to meet cute farm animals.

Iconic Tekapo Tourist Attractions

If you are only stopping in Lake Tekapo briefly, on your travels elsewhere, or making a quick day trip, there are a few tourist attractions in Lake Tekapo you won’t want to miss.

Church of the Good Shepherd

This has to be one of the most beautiful church locations in the world! The Church of the Good Shepherd in Lake Tekapo is still an active church, with regular Sunday services held each week from 4pm. 

However, the historic stone church also draws crowds who want to capture the quaint structure on camera and explore nearby. The best time to go is early in the morning or before the sun sets, when crowds are typically fewer.

There is a fence around the church that wasn’t there on our previous visit. They do still allow tours on days when a volunteer is available, or you can pre-arrange a tour in advance.

Sheep Dog Statue

Just up from the Good Shepherd Church is a bronze statue of a sheepdog. The statue is in honour of working dogs in the area.

Lake Tekapo Footbridge

The Lake Tekapo bridge has become somewhat iconic, sitting over the turquoise waters of the lake. This bridge allows quick access from Tekapo Village to the Church of the Good Shepherd and dog statue. 

It’s also a really nice short walk if you don’t have a lot of time but want to get outdoors and explore.

Best Things To Do In Lake Tekapo In Winter

If you are visiting during winter, there is a huge array of extra activities you can enjoy in and around Lake Tekapo. The winter months are very cold in New Zealand’s South Island, so make sure you are prepared with proper winter clothing and footwear. 

Day Trips From Lake Tekapo

There are plenty of day trips you can do from Lake Tekapo if you want to explore beyond the lake area. Here are a couple of the most popular day trip ideas:

Mount Cook

Around 90 minutes’ drive from Tekapo, Mount Cook National Park is home to New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook.

Once in the national park, visit Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (great for kids) or do some of the scenic walks in the area:

• Hooker Valley Track – a flat, family-friendly 10km return walk with swing bridges and glacier views (budget ~3 hours).
• For a shorter option: Tasman Glacier View Track (~30 min climb with amazing rewards). We did this one and also the Blue Pools loop, which is halfway to the Tasman Glacier viewpoint. The Blue Pools are actually green these days.

Mt Cook Day Tour: Alternatively, take a Tekapo to Mt Cook day tour and see the best of the area without missing any of the good stuff.

Lake Pukaki

Lake Pukaki is the largest of the three main glacial lakes in the McKenzie Basin (the other two being Tekapo and Ohau). It’s about an hour’s drive time from Tekapo and is well worth a visit.

The lake has some stunning views, especially of Mount Cook, and is a popular spot for fishing, boating and swimming. We camped here following our stay in Tekapo.

There’s also a salmon shop to pick up fresh and prepared seafood and other things.

How Long To Spend In Lake Tekapo

If you’re planning your time in Lake Tekapo, we recommend spending 2–3 days to really enjoy everything at a relaxed pace. Longer if you want to do more hikes or day trips.

You can read our full 3-day Lake Tekapo itinerary here for a detailed day-by-day plan.

How To Get To Lake Tekapo

There are a few different ways to get to Lake Tekapo, depending on where you’re coming from.

If you have the time, consider taking the scenic route between Lake Tekapo and Christchurch. The scenic route to Tekapo is 275km along State Highway 77, rather than State Highway 1 and will take you roughly 3 1/2 hours from start to finish.

This is one of the most beautiful scenic drives on the South Island.

Once in Tekapo, you can get around the main town area easily on foot as everything is close together. A car or bus service is ideal for visiting nearby Tekapo attractions. They have limited taxi services available.

Lake Tekapo Accommodation

If you are looking to spend one night or more in the area, these ideas will help you decide where to stay in Lake Tekapo:

Lake Tekapo Camping

If you are taking a campervan or road trip through New Zealand, note that freedom camping is prohibited in Lake Tekapo.

We booked a private property via Campable during our stay. It had no amenities but it was cheap. We share details on this site and all the others we stayed at in our campgrounds guide.

> RELATED READING: OUR BEST TIPS FOR COOKING IN A CAMPERVAN

Lake Tekapo Village

The township by Lake Tekapo is small, however, it has most of the essential facilities and services for a short stay.

There are many restaurants in Lake Tekapo, as well as a convenience store and a bakery for food and drinks. They have a Four Square supermarket, which is a bit of a one-stop shop for everything, and also a few fast food options.

The service station in Tekapo village caters to cars and campervan travellers, with facilities to swap and go gas bottles as well as refuel. 

Lake Tekapo might be small, but it’s packed with incredible scenery and unique experiences.

Whether you’re visiting for a day or staying a little longer, there’s more than enough here to make it a highlight of your New Zealand trip.

Are there any things to do in Lake Tekapo New Zealand that you think we missed?

Heading to NZ soon? Check out our ultimate guide to what to pack for New Zealand for adults & kids.