Lately, I find myself mumbling things like, I remember when this place was only this big. Is this a sign of my age? I've been fortunate enough to call New Zealand home for nearly a decade, which means I've watched a lot of places change, grow, and evolve with the times, especially when it comes to tourism.
Lake Tekapo is one of those locations.
Popular forever, Tekapo interacted positively with tourists until the borders closed. Like many of us South Island Cities, when the tourists left, became quiet. But tourists don't make a town, and the heart of this famous lake hasn't been destroyed by Covid. Tekapo has suffered, like all of our favorite places.
Since one of my best friends is Holly Mountain House Creative, I moved there a few years ago, and found myself again stopping by and spending some time in Tekapo like I once did when I first moved to the South Island. Visiting Tekapo is one of my favorite parts of the South Island to see.
The past few years have given Tekapo a chance to breathe and settle down. Located in the heart of South Island Central, at Mackenzie CountryTekapo has earned its place among New Zealand's most iconic scenery.
Before the pandemic, Tekapo was one of the bustling little South Island towns that drew people in like a magnet. But the last few years have meant he's been quiet, like really quiet. This means that it has never been a better time to visit! From the amazing views, lots of adventure, dark night skies, and the kindest locals I've ever met, I was so happy to spend several days here enjoying it all. And when Tekapo puts on her winter coat, well, there's nowhere prettier!
Here are some of my favorite photos from my winter vacation to Tekapo - enjoy.
1. Enjoy the scenic views along the lake
My last Tekapo ride was in July, the heart of winter. Due to its dry, inland climate, Tekapo experiences some of the coldest days of winter and the hottest days of summer. Soft winter mornings at Lake Tekapo are so beautiful.
Call me crazy, but I think Tekapo is prettiest in the winter, especially when there's a lot of snow.
The bright turquoise lake sits on golden grasses that lead to the snow-capped Southern Alps. Our highest mountain, Aoraki / Mt. Cook, visible in the distance. The enigmatic stone church is located on the shores of the lake. It's the most famous church in New Zealand, that's for sure. Not that we have much compared to where I grew up in America's Bible Belt.
Lake Tekapo gets its distinctive bright turquoise blue color from the ultra-fine powder ice suspended in the water. Mountain glaciers grind rock into fine dust on their journey toward the lake. The lake often reflects green in the clouds above on a cloudy day.
Always take some time to walk along the lake and enjoy the stunning mountain scenery.
2. Relax and snuggle up at Aldourie Lodge
The view from the front door of Adourie Lodge At Lake Tekapo it's about as good as it gets!
A stone's throw from the famous Good Shepherd's Church, with some of the best views around, Aldourie Lodge delights and surprises all. On the lake front in the oldest part of Tekapo in one of the oldest homes in Tekapo, Aldourie Lodge is inviting, making you never want to leave. Located on the shores of Lake Tekapo, in an era of development unprecedented in all of New Zealand, there is something so beautiful about being able to stay in historic spaces.
Here you can stay League down Same, beautifully renovated six-person cottage, next door in Awa hutwhich sleeps four, or in Celly Street Studio, sleeps two. When you visit Tekapo, try to stay here.
3. Have the best coffee and relax at Jack Rabbit Café
I'll let you in on a secret, the best coffee and views in town from Jack Rabbit CafeOn the other side of the footbridge. As a writer, I'm always looking for cafe spaces that feel relaxed and welcoming. Rest and vitality levels are just as important as coffee and food.
With heaps of space, Jack Rabbit is the kind of place where you can spend hours with friends, hide away with a good book on a rainy day, or bring your computer and do some typing.
You can't go wrong here for epic outdoor seating overlooking the lake and fair-trade organic coffee.
4. Go for a scenic flight around New Zealand's highest mountain
In recent years, one of the must-dos when visiting Tekapo is to take a scenic trek around the famous mountains. If you think the views from the ground dazzle you, just wait until you reach the sky. Air flights She is a Tekapo founder, flying around the mountains here since the 70's. Family owned and operated, they fly small fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. Both are amazing.
The journey you want to take is epic Grand Traverse, which soars over stunning country stations and braided rivers. You will pass near Aoraki / Mt. Cook, along the Alps and glaciers, including Tasman glacier. Eventually, you'll cross the barrier to the West Coast by Franz W Fox Glacier before returning to Tekapo. The helicopter The release is an hour-long flight, Mt. The Cook Franz and Fox Magic Tour is absolutely amazing and includes a snow landing.
My favorite part is flying over the famous red mountaineering huts at Mt. Cook National Park. Plateau Hut is located at an altitude of 2,200 metres, looking straight across the vast Great Plateau Icefield to the eastern face of Aoraki/Mount Cook. Perched on the edge of the world, the ice fields of the Great Plateau drain into the Hochstetter Glacier, descending into the Tasman Glacier. This hut will be crowded with climbers on their way to tackle New Zealand's highest mountain in the summer.
5. Grab a book or two from Petronella's and the local fair upstairs
My new favorite library in all of New Zealand is in the middle of Lake Tekapo - Petronella Gallery Library. I can't even begin to describe how much I love a well thought out and curated library. It makes me very happy.
I spend an hour or so walking up and down the aisles picking things up and putting them down until I get a perfect pick - five is always the max, which is high in New Zealand, considering how much books cost here. But funny enough, no matter what my financial condition is (and how broke I am), I always make sure I can afford a book.
For me, books are just as important as food and rent—can you relate to that?
I drive through Tekapo often these days on my trips from Wanaka to Lyttelton while checking in at my NODE store. I always make sure to call in to visit Petronella's for some inspiration. Upstairs you will find an amazing gallery of great art and famous Tekapo gifts. Lovingly tended and cared for by local Wilma, places like this are the heart and soul of South Island towns. I hope, as a global culture, we never stop reading.
6. Check out the stunning night sky with a private stargazing tour
Tekapo is famous for many reasons, but perhaps the most well-known is that it is located within the largest dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere. The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve Consists of Oraki / Mt. Cook National Park and Mackenzie Basin. There are strict rules about light pollution blocking the sky. This means that Tekapo is one of the best places in New Zealand for stargazing.
The stone chapel with the Milky Way shining above is one of the most iconic images of Tekapo and one I finally took for the first time on this trip. When you visit Tekapo, you will see how popular this is.
Joseph Polley is an expert local photographer who offers private stargazing tours and astrophotography workshops here in Tekapo. with Alpha Crux StargazingHe comes to you on private stargazing tours throughout Tekapo. With a high-powered telescope and laser, you can identify and view the stars with an expert where you live; How amazing is it?
Since I'm also a photographer, I was interested in learning more about deep space photography, something Joseph is an expert on (check out Instagram to blow your mind). I learned a lot, mostly that it's really complicated and time consuming, but the reward is worth it when you get to those iconic nebula-like images of faraway galaxies. This is my first attempt at deep space photography, the Eta Carinae nebula, photographed and edited by Joseph, and I witnessed it.
7. Soak your bones in Tekapo Hot Springs
I don't know about you guys, but I've never met a heated pool that I didn't love. Tekapo Springs A must-visit on any South Island adventure is to visit Tekapo.
Formed and named after the famous lakes in the Mackenzie region, this is the perfect place for parking at sunset, especially in winter. I love it here. There's just something so fun about relaxing in a spa, and it's something I think we could all do more of these days.
Located 720 meters above sea level, Tekapo is one of the few alpine environments to have a town here in New Zealand. While the hot pools at Tekapo are not geothermal, they are filled from a very pure underground source. There is also a lovely spa, stargazing at night, an ice rink in the winter and, of course, saunas.
8. Go get a great feed at Reflections Café
If I had to pick a favorite meal in Tekapo, it would definitely be in Reflections Cafe. It was so good that I ate there twice in three days.
So relaxing with roaring fires, amazing lake views, and one of the best menus around, you won't want for anything here. Many restaurants in tourist towns have pricey menus with repeat menus. Reflections Café breaks the mold with some great dishes. After a long walk in the cold, I parked my car by the window and sat for hours reading in the sunlight.
Get the sizzling pork belly—you won't regret it.
9. Go and check out Alexandrina Lake
There are many famous lakes around Tekapo, one of my favorites being the smaller one Alexandrina Lake, outside the city. A prominent backcountry lake in the South Island, it is spring-fed rather than glacier-fed, which means it is darker in color than nearby Lake Tekapo.
It is famous for its fishing, which I know is a protected wildlife area. Home to many native birds and no boats or motors makes Lake Alexandria incredibly calm and serene.
It is the perfect place to escape and go for a walk.
10. Marvel at the phenomenon of hoarse frost
Lake Tekapo is one of the few places in New Zealand where you may experience frostbite. did you hear about it? I want to communicate with Dr. Whatsapp.
Come winter, it's cold, there are still nights, and sometimes thick mist rolls down from the hills. The water freezes on everything the mist touches, revealing an icy landscape. It looks like snow, but it's frost. Everything you touch sparkles. Obviously, that means icy roads, too. Frost is one of the few things that can close the way around the Mackenzie Basin in the winter.
Tekapo is one of the best places to experience winter in New Zealand. Visiting Tekapo is about experiencing a completely different side of the South Island.
Have you been to Tekapo? Do you travel here in the winter? Leak!
Big thanks to Aldourie Lodge for having me visit Tekapo - as always, I'm keeping it real - all opinions are mine as you would expect less from me. 
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