Lake Tekapo / Mackenzie Basin

In small town New Zealand there generally isn’t much to do when the sun goes down. That’s not the case for Lake Tekapo though, as it sits in New Zealand’s only dark sky reserve, meaning it’s ideal for stargazing. Dark Sky Project (formally Earth and Sky) invited us to do the Mount John Observatory stargazing … Read more

There are some places in New Zealand that will never be the main destinations for tourists. Lake Ruataniwha is one of those. You’ll pass it when driving between Queenstown / Wanaka and Mount Cook / Lake Tekapo and it makes for a nice place to stop for a quick rest or a picnic. If conditions … Read more

Mount John Observatory is the ultimate lazy person’s viewpoint. You can drive right up to the café at the top of the mountain and from there you can see 360-degree views of the stunning surrounds, including lakes, mountains and the little town of Lake Tekapo. It’s one of the best things to do in Lake … Read more

Lake Tekapo, with its characteristic blue water and mountain surrounds, is one of the top scenic spots in the Mackenzie Basin. The views from the stony beach in front of town are nice, but to really see the beauty of this area you’ll need to head a little further afield. The Peninsula Walkway, located around … Read more

You’ll pass through Fairlie on the drive between Christchurch and Tekapo / Mount Cook — if you have time you should definitely take the short detour to Lake Opuha. This small man-made lake is surrounded by hills and mountains and offers up some beautiful views in its reflective surface. Driving to Lake Opuha Lake Opuha … Read more