Lake Tekapo

The church is on the lakeshore and has an amazing view straight up the lake (almost picture-perfect behind the church). It is open during the day. Nearby is a bronze statue of a collie dog, in honour of the sheepdogs on which sheep farmers depend. Depending on the season, lupins can also be found here which is the main draw.

Walk or guided tours through beautiful private gardens - opposite Church.

3-day guided alpine walk in the foothills of the Southern Alps, overlooking Lake Tekapo.

Mt John offers impressive panoramic views of Lake Tekapo. Beginning from right by Tekapo Springs, this track slowly rises up exotic forest and then open tussock hill slopes, right to the summit of Mt John. Allow 3 hours for a round trip. Dogs are not permitted.

Approximately 1½- to 2-hr hike. Starts a short bit north of Mt John (most easily reached by car), and takes you around the peninsula which lies halfway along the length of the lake. This is a relatively new hike, and the path hasn't really been worn out yet. Make certain you're following the poles rather than sheep tracks which can divert in different directions altogether. This hike is closed from October to December for lambing.

Do a Dark Sky Project tour at one of either two observatories - the famous Mt John Observatory (a research station run by the University of Canterbury, now also hosting night tours and a stunning cafe) or a smaller, more private observatory nearby at Cowan's Hill. On clear nights you can see the wonders of the night sky. If it's cloudy, see areas of the observatory normally closed to the public, and learn about the scientific work done here. The weather is changeable here, so perhaps stay a few days to make sure you get a clear sky. To see the most stars, avoid the full moon: between five days after full moon and ten days before it will give the darkest skies.

The Tekapo Springs complex includes a complex containing three inviting hot pools with bench-side seating, private nooks and crannies, and massage jets. The temperature of the pools are 35-37°C. Next to the pools is a sauna and steam room. Four fully-functional spa rooms provide massages, facials, pedicures, manicures and total body care, and each treatment booked gives complimentary access to the sauna and steam room. In addition, there is an ice rink, that is converted for inline or roller skating during spring and summer. Finally, there is also a snow park that provides an ice ramp used with inflatable tubes. This operates as a Summer Tube over the warmer months on artificial matting. Tekapo Springs also offers nightly star viewing from the hot springs pools, with viewers suspended in pool hammocks/floats.