Things to do in Lake Tekapo & Aoraki/Mt Cook

Lake Tekapo's turquoise shore is home to the Church of the Good Shepherd, and after dark the Dark Sky Project runs guided stargazing on the Mt John summit in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve; Tekapo Springs adds hot pools and a kids' Aqua Play area. Lake Pūkaki, coloured by glacial flour, looks toward Aoraki/Mount Cook, and in the national park the Hooker Valley Track crosses three swing bridges to Hooker Lake, while the Tasman Glacier View Track climbs to a viewpoint over Tasman Lake.

Good to knowWeather in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park changes quickly in any season, the White Horse Hill car park takes cards only, and the Tasman Glacier View Track has no drinking water. The Church of the Good Shepherd is an active place of worship, and inside access is not guaranteed. The stargazing tour lends cold-weather jackets and is for ages 10 and over.