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Itineraries

With plenty to see and do, Lake Tekapo is an excellent choice for a holiday. Located halfway between Christchurch and Queenstown, it is easily accessible for everyone to enjoy. With a wide range of accommodation options, you will be able to find the perfect spot to meet your needs.

 

Our itineraries have been designed to ensure your visit is filled with unforgettable experiences to treasure long after your holiday has come to an end.

Option #1 – Lake Tekapo

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Option #2 – Lake Tekapo

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  • Enjoy breakfast with views of the lake, mountains and church at Jack Rabbit Café, inside the Godley Hotel

  • Fuel your adventurous side by heading to Tekapo Springs for ice skating, snow tubing and the hot pools in winter, and the jumpernaut, water slide, and cold and hot pools in summer

  • For those who would rather be pampered, the Tekapo Springs Day Spa is a must for some self-indulgence

  • Once all the activities are over, then Altitude 720 Café at Tekapo Springs is the best spot to refuel for lunch before the afternoon

  • In the summer months, why not hire a paddle board or kayak from Paddle Tekapo and explore the area from the water

  • For the best Japanese food outside of Japan, then Kohan for dinner is a must!

Option #3 – Lake Tekapo

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  • Head to The Greedy Cow for a scrumptious breakfast and delicious coffee

  • Explore Lake Tekapo on two wheels – hire a bike from BeSpoke Bikes and go for a ride around one of the many bike trails

  • Fuel up for the afternoon with a delicious lunch at Reflections Cafe & Restaurant

  • Explore Tekapo’s impressive landscapes in one of the most natural forms of transport available – a saddle with the friendly team at Mackenzie Alpine Horse Trekking

  • Test your orienteering skills in the Lake Tekapo Regional Park. Collect a map from Kiwi Treasures or download a map here.

  • Sit back and enjoy delicious food and drinks on the Takapō lakefront at the Dark Sky Diner.

  • As the sun goes down, head to the Tekapo Solar Circle (in front of Dark Sky Diner) as Billy the Bard shares tales of local legends past and present, poetry and song.

Option #4 – Lake Tekapo

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  • Head to Rakinui Restaurant & Bar for breakfast for unique produce that is locally sourced from the Mackenzie Region.

  • For those a little more adventurous you can walk up to the top of Mt John, or if you prefer you can drive up the road. The views at the top are second-to-none, and while you’re up there you can grab a coffee at Astro Café.

  • Head to Jack Rabbit Cafe for a delicious range of hearty lunch options while enjoying epic views of the mountains and Church of the Good Shepherd.

  • Love to play golf? Then nine holes at The Cairns Golf Course is a must. If golf isn’t your thing, then take the kids to feed the animals at The Cairns Alpine Resort Petting Farm

  • With some of the best views in town, enjoy a drink and dinner at T.L.V Restaurant & Bar while watching the sun set on the surrounding mountains.

Option #5 – Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

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  • Organise a day trip with BeSpoke Bikes to explore the Sailors Cutting section on the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail

  • Head to Doughboys Bakery for breakfast, and while you’re there, grab some food to take with you for lunch while you are out for the day

  • Grab a bottle of wine from Four Square Tekapo and head to Ramen for a delicious Asian infusion dinner

Option #6 - Aoraki Mt Cook National Park

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  • Drive to Mt Cook village along one of NZ’s most scenic highways (approximately 1-hour from Lake Tekapo)

  • Walk the stunning Hooker Valley track, which takes you up to Hooker Lake and the base of Mt Cook. See impressive swing bridges, waterfalls, unique alpine plants and majestic mountains. Allow three hours  return for the full walk (10km total). Bring appropriate clothing (even on warm days) and some food to snack on.

  • Head back for a yummy lunch at The Hermitage. While you’re there, a visit to the Sir Ed Hillary Museum is a must.

  • Book an afternoon adventure with Glacier Explorers – the only glacial boat tour in NZ, exploring icebergs on the terminal lake of the Tasman Glacier

  • Head back to Tekapo for a kiwi classic of fish and chips from Tekapo Takeaways

Options Galore ...

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Lake Tekapo is a great starting point before your next adventure. Four Square Tekapo has all the supplies you need to keep you fuelled along the way.

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  • Start the iconic Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail in Tekapo with BeSpoke Bikes

  • Take a hunting trip in search of Tahr, Chamois, Red Deer and small game with an experienced guide from Mid Southern Tracks

  • Find personal clarity to help you better connect with your body, mind and soul with an experience from Tekapo Wellness

  • Seeking adventure in the rugged Mackenzie High Country? Fly into the mountains with Mackenzie Helicopters as they take you from wineries to beautiful secluded beaches to a private hot tub perched high on a remote mountainside, or enjoy a dram at The Bad Decision, the Southern Hemisphere’s highest whisky hut. 

  • Hit the slopes on your ski or snowboard at our local family-friendly ski fields – Mt Dobson Ski Area and Roundhill Ski Area

  • Head into the mountains with Alpine Recreation and try trekking, climbing, skiing and snowshoeing with experienced guides

  • Head into the mountains with Cass Valley Ski Touring. Book one of their fabulous huts and enjoy the best backcountry ski touring around.

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