From Lake Tekapo to Aoraki: Capturing NZ’s Best Lakes and Hikes

We continued our road trip to Lake Tekapo; a 5-hour drive from Te Anau took us to the township of Lake Tekapo. It was a leisurely drive through SH6 and SH8 spanning around 420 kms and crossing Lindis Pass - a gateway that connects Central Otago to Mackenzie Basin of South Island. The highest point on the State Highway and the place of Otago's Gold Rush :)

You should definitely stop here at Lindis Pass for pictures and if you are the more adventurous type, then you should probably hike up the trail - at least to the Lindis Pass Summit Lookout Walk to take in the gorgeous views.

However, as we crossed Lindis Pass, the landscape changed dramatically from the rugged, rocky valleys of Central Otago to the massive, flat alpine basins of the Mackenzie district.

Lindis Pass

As we continued our journey, the landscape opened up to massive horizons, azure blue skies and rugged alpine peaks at a not-so-faraway distance- a sudden transition from the arid rocky outcrops of the Otago region. There as you take a turn, you see this shockingly 'blue' lake surrounded by the most picturesque scenery you might ever stumble upon in your life.

Lake Pukaki - The Blue Pearl of South Island

I had never seen anything so pristine blue. The deep blue colour of the lake left me speechless and I wanted to absorb in all the colour as much as I could all around me. The serenity of the lake and the bright purple lupins bordering the lake, dancing to the tune of the wind made this place feel otherworldly.

I mistook this lake to be Lake Tekapo as that was our destination. It took me a while to understand that this is not Lake Tekapo but Lake Pukaki in the Mackenzie basin offering pristine majestic views of Mt. Cook or Aoraki above its glacial waters. Nevertheless, I fell in love with lake Pukaki!

The phenomenon of deep blue colour is attributed to the glacial dust that scatters the light to this effect, giving the water its iconic milky-blue glow.

The lake is huge and seems to be never ending. Find a spot amongst the many campervans parked on the banks to take in the breathtaking beauty of the lake, its rich colour, the feel-good vibe and the unbelievable scenery all around it.

Mind you, seeing the place in person and checking it out in pics is an altogether different ballgame. I am not overdoing it when I am repeatedly praising the beauty of the lake.

Lake Pukaki in all its glory. It is the largest alpine lake in the Mackenzie basin of South Island, NZ. It is famed worldwide for its vibrant turquoise colour and its majestic landscape of Aoraki/Mt. Cook in the background.

Can't get enough of the glacial blue waters of the lake (Pukaki)

Mt. Cook or Aoraki as the Maoris call it is the highest mountain in NZ at 12,218 feet.The mountain holds deep spiritual significane in Maori tradition, where the name Aoraki translates to "cloud piercer"

Now, this is Lake Tekapo!!! The same glacial blue waters but unlike Lake Pukaki, this lake is beside a lively township packed with cafes, accommodation, and popular activities.

Lake Tekapo from a different angle…Stunning isn't it!

How to Spend 3 Days in Tekapo

It was the last leg of our South Island trip and we wanted to relax amidst the beauty and pristine nature that Tekapo is and we did exactly that -mixing in a few activities apart from lazing around.

Day 1:

On the day of arrival, we reached Tekapo late in the afternoon after exploring Lindis Pass and Lake Pukaki on the way. The Air BnB which we had rented had an old-world charm to it. Sitting on a height, it offered us great views of the lake. We decided to enjoy the views from the house that afternoon and rest.

The house was directly opposite the main market area of the township and gave us easy access to restaurants and the activities happening around the lake.Later in the evening, we explored the market area, had some good Indian food at a restaurant in the vicinity and called it a day.

Day 2 :

Next day was reserved for Hooker Valley Track. Located in the Mt. Cook National Park, it is an easy and very popular day walk offering great views of Mt. Cook/Aoraki.

The walk was an easy one but the views we witnessed and the glacial roars that we heard, made us bow our heads to Mother Nature. Nature has the capacity to humble you at all times. We are nothing as compared to her vast and mighty power that if unleashed upon us, we will not see the light of another day!

A glimpse of the Hooker Valley Track

Unfortunately, the Hooker Valley Track was partially closed that day as one of the connecting bridges was being repaired. However, we walked for a good 2-3 hours in the heat of the January sun to be amazed by the alpine views around us.

The same night we visited the Dark Sky Reserve - one of the clearest and darkest skies on the earth- for seeing what was a literal dazzling display of the stars around us. It was a feast for our senses to experience all that astrotourism from the confines of a man-made crater equipped with telescopes. This is a must-do in Tekapo and one can choose between a longer program which starts at midnight vs. a shorter crater experience which starts earlier around 10 pm. It is a chance to be able to see the stars and galaxies so clearly above us.

The starry night that it was…

Day 3:

We finally got to check out the Church of the Good Shepherd that morning. After a gourmet breakfast on the shores of Lake Tekapo, we ambled towards the old stone church, taking in all the beauty surrounding us. Its true claim to fame is its picturesque location right on the waterfront. I clicked pictures to my heart's content, which put me in wonderful spirits. :)

The Church of the Good Shepherd, sitting right on the banks of Lake Tekapo, is a historic stone church, and also one of the most photographed buildings in entire NZ!

The Church of the Good Shepherd captured from a distance. Its iconic altar window frames a stunning view of the surrounding lake and mountains, making it one of the country's most picturesque and photographed locations

Next on the list was to explore the Lake Pukaki area once more. We drove over and settled on the shoreline, simply throwing pebbles into the water. It was a moment truly cherished. This is exactly what slow travel or slow living is all about—absorbing your surroundings without rushing to find the next best thing. The landscape just forces you to slow down and live in the moment!

As always, all good things must come to an end, and so did our sojourn on New Zealand's South Island. It was time to bid adieu to this paradise on earth and head toward our next destination.

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