Why go
- Lake in the South Island of New Zealand.
- Known for Mount Cook (Mt Cook).
- 1 curated must-see attraction on record, including Lake Tekapo.
- Served by Tekapo Aerodrome.
History
Lake Tekapo is the second-largest of three roughly parallel lakes running north–south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island of New Zealand. It covers an area of 83 km2 (32 sq mi) and is at an altitude of 710 m (2,330 ft) above sea level.
Must-see attractions
Outdoor
37 more attractions in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Restaurants & places to go
Indian, Restaurant · Features: vegan options · fishtail.co.nz
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,Th-Su 15:00-22:00 · darkskyproject.co.nz
Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Su 16:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · bluelake.kiwi
Japanese, Restaurant · Japanese restaurant · kohannz.com
Burger, Restaurant · Burger restaurant · randblab.com
Restaurant · Opening hours: 07:30-15:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options · jackrabbit.nz
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:30-16:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options, step-free access · 16 Rapuwai Lane · greedycowtekapo.com
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:30-14:30;17:30-21:00 · State Highway 8, 7999
Japanese, Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 17:45-21:00; Su-Mo 12:00-14:30, 17:45-21:30; Sa 17:45-21:30 Features: vegetarian options · 12 Rapuwai Lane
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Opening hours: 17:00-20:30
Restaurant · Opening hours: 10:00-22:00
Pizza, Fast Food · Pizza fast food
Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:00-20:30 · Unit 1 Tekapo Shopping Mall, 7999
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating · darkskyproject.co.nz
Restaurant · restaurant · fb.me
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options
Restaurant · restaurant
Airports
Glentanner Airport (GTN) 31 km to the centre
Glentanner Station, CAN, NZ — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Pukaki Airport (TWZ) 39 km to the centre
Twitzel, CAN, NZ — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Mount Cook Airport (MON) 39 km to the centre
CAN, NZ — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Tekapo Aerodrome 3.2 km to the centre
CAN, NZ
Where to stay
2 Sealy Street, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand · aldourietekapo.com
28 Aorangi Crescent, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand · darkskyvillas.co.nz
16 Jimmys Lane, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand · exploretekapo.co.nz
10 Rankin Rise, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand · ranginui.nz
48 Darchiac Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand · thecairns.co.nz
53 D archiac Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand · galaxytekapo.co.nz
14 Greig Street, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand · grandsuitestekapo.co.nz
1 Beauchamp Place, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand · all.accor.com
12 Sealy Street, Lake Tekapo 7945, New Zealand · laketekapocottages.co.nz
2 Lochinver Avenue, Lake Tekapo 7945, New Zealand · threeriverslodge.co.nz
24 Aorangi Crescent, Lake Tekapo 7945, New Zealand · laketekapolodge.co.nz
8 Motuariki Lane, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand · woolshedtekapo.com
18 Murray Place, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand · riversedgetekapo.co.nz
5 Motuariki Lane, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand · hakahouse.com
2 Rapuwai Lane, Centre, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand · godleyhotel.co.nz
14 Rapuwai Lane, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand · tekapomotel.co.nz
19 Tekapo-Twizel Road, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand · isolationbay.com
12 Hamilton Drive, Lake Tekapo 7945, New Zealand
8b Murray Place, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
11 Pollock Place, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
7 Rankin Rise, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
2 Sams Place, Lake Tekapo 7945, New Zealand
43 Andrew Don Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
Indoor
Indoor
3 Coulson Lane, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
41 Aorangi Crescent, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
Indoor
Indoor
6 Erebus Place, Lake Tekapo, Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
35 Andrew Don Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
3 Scott Street, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand · scottstreet.nz
14 Pioneer Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
2119 Fairlie-Tekapo Road, Burkes Pass 7987, New Zealand
Indoor
2 Murray Place, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
Indoor
2114 Fairlie-Tekapo Road, Burkes Pass 7987, New Zealand · burkespass.nz
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
October – March
The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.
Shoulder season
April – May, September
Milder and quieter, with better value.
Worth avoiding
June – August
The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Tekapo Aerodrome. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Lake Tekapo, NZ. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Tours & experiences
Sightseeing