Travel Guide of Lake Tekapo in New Zealand by Influencers and Travelers

Lake Tekapo is the second-largest of three roughly parallel lakes running north–south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island of New Zealand.

Pictures and Stories of Lake Tekapo from Influencers

15 pictures of Lake Tekapo from Tobias Keller, Jordan Heath, Janaya Dasiuk and other travelers

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  ⛰️ Highland spots     🏞️ Reservoir spots     🏰 Church spots     🏞️ Loch spots     🌊‍ Ocean spots     Recreational fishing spots     ❄️ Tundra spots     🏖️ Coast spots     🌲 Ecoregion spots  

Learn More about Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is located in the Mackenzie Basin, a three hour drive south west of Christchurch. The town overlooks the incredible turquoise lake to the north and faces the mystical mountains of the Southern Alps. The whitish turquoise colour of Lake Tekapo comes from the fine glacial dust (glacier-crushed rocks) suspended in the water. On the shores of the lake is the picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd, with an altar window offering a spectacular view of Mount Cook, built in 1935 by a pioneer family from the Mackenzie area and a popular photo opportunity for visitors. The bronze statue was made to honour the district's debt to the sheepdogs, as "it would be impossible to graze in the mountains without their help". Footpaths have been laid out around the lake. For the best views of the Mackenzie Basin, hike to the Mount John Observatory (1031m) or Cowan's Hill. The Northern Lights are the aurora borealis found in the southern hemisphere and Lake Tekapo is one of the best places in New Zealand to enjoy this symphony of colour. April to September is the best time to visit and Lake Tekapo is famous for its clear nights and low light pollution, making it an ideal place to view the Northern Lights. The Mount John Observatory, looking south from the summit, offers a great opportunity to experience nature's light show. History of the Mackenzie Basin The first inhabitants of the Mackenzie Basin were the Maori. They carved tools from rock, fished for eels, hunted birds and set up summer camps on the banks of rivers and lakes. European settlers began to arrive in the area in the mid-19th century when Scottish shepherd Jock Mackenzie was arrested for stealing sheep. He entered this high ground to hide his stolen flock from the authorities.

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