The Scenic Drive from Akaroa to Lake Tekapo: A Gem of the South Island
Ask any local for directions to Lake Tekapo from Christchurch or Akaroa and most will agree that you should stay off the mundane main highways and, instead, take the Inland Scenic Route (72). (You can check out our Christchurch and Akaroa post here)
We heeded their advice and decided to take the more peaceful, scenic route which turned out to be a fantastic way to experience the heart of the South Island. It’s well worth the detour with rolling hills, mountain views, and small-town charm at every turn.
The drive begins just after leaving Akaroa, where the road climbs steeply over the hills. The view from up top is spectacular, with the harbor stretching out behind you. From there, the road winds down into the flat farmland surrounding Little River. After a brief stop in this tiny town, we turned off onto State Highway 77 toward the Inland Scenic Route (72), which would take us through some of the South Island’s lesser-known but equally stunning landscapes.
Rakaia Gorge
As we made our way inland, the first big surprise was Rakaia Gorge. The gorge was carved by glacial meltwater, and the river here is the brightest, most unusual shade of blue. A quick stop at the bridge allowed us to stretch our legs and take in the views—it’s one of those spots that just seems to go on forever, and you can’t help but be in awe of the power of nature.
Rakaia Gorge Gallery:
From Rakaia, the road took us into Mount Hutt country. On a clear day, the Southern Alps loom in the distance, giving the whole journey a sense of grandeur. We passed through the small town of Methven, which in the winter is a bustling ski hub but was pretty calm and quiet when we drove through in summer. It’s a great spot for a coffee or lunch if you need a break from the drive.
Next, the road winds through the charming rural towns of Mount Somers and Staveley, both of which are surrounded by farmland and beech forests. If you have time you might take a quick detour to the Sharplin Falls track near Staveley.
Eventually, the road begins to flatten and lead toward Geraldine and on to Fairlie where you rejoin the main route. Both towns are great spots to stretch out or grab a bite.
Fairlie
We had read the reviews and recommendations so we decided to stop in and try the pies at the Fairlie Bakehouse. They’re famous for their gourmet meat pies made with locally sourced ingredients. The bakery draws crowds with unique flavors like pork belly & apple sauce, venison & cranberry, and salmon & bacon. It’s become a favorite stop for travelers through the Mackenzie Region. It was quite busy during our stop though we did manage to secure a table and enjoy a couple of pies.
Burkes Pass
Three Creeks in Burkes Pass offers an interesting shopping experience that’s become quite popular. It’s located on State Highway 8 about 15 minutes from both Fairlie and Lake Tekapo.
Housed in a general store, 1950s service station, blacksmith shop and trading store – the shops at Three Creeks include artwork, crafts, gifts, retro collectables, and much more. The stores are surrounded by classic cars and old farm machinery where you can sit and enjoy a coffee and soak up the atmosphere.
Lake Tekapo
As we got closer to Lake Tekapo, we began to see the towering mountains of the Southern Alps getting larger and then you crest the final hill and get your first glimpse of the lake. The water is an incredible shade of turquoise set against the backdrop of snow capped mountains. It’s quite the contrast from the rolling farmland you’ve just driven through. And then you see it, the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd standing proudly at the edge of the lake. It was the perfect end to taking the scenic route. It takes a little longer than traveling the main highways but it’s a much more rewarding experience.
Things To Do In Lake Tekapo:
Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd: This tiny, historic, little stone church sits lakeside and might be one of the most photographed spots in all New Zealand. The backdrop is stunning, especially if you are there at sunrise or sunset. Just be mindful it is still a working church, so do be respectful.
Soak in the Tekapo Springs: After a day of hiking or driving, these hot pools might be the perfect way to unwind. There are three main hot pools of varying temperatures, all with views of the lake and mountains. They also have a day spa and ice skating during winter.
Walk the Lakefront or Hike the Mt. John Summit Track: If you’re up for a bit of a leg workout, the Mt. John walk is well worth it. It’s about 1–2 hours return depending on your pace, with panoramic views over the lake and mountains. At the top, there’s a cafe (Astro Cafe) where you can reward yourself with a coffee and the best seat in the house. You can also drive to the top and park for a fee, be sure to check the hours.
Stargaze in a Dark Sky Reserve: An International Dark Sky Reserve is a protected area recognized for its exceptional quality of starry nights and natural darkness with no artificial lights. Lake Tekapo is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the world’s premier stargazing destinations with some of the clearest, darkest skies in the world.
Chasing the Lupins (Seasonal Bonus!): If you’re lucky enough to visit in late spring or early summer (roughly mid November to early January) you’re rewarded with the lupins bloom. That’s when the shores of the lake explode in color, with purples, pinks, blues, and yellows dancing in the breeze. We missed out on the peak bloom in Lake Tekapo but were able to spot some roadside patches.
Lake Tekapo / Dark Sky Reserve
The Aoraki Mackenzie Reserve encompasses Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, and the Mackenzie Basin. It spans over 4,300 square kilometers making it the largest dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere. Strict lighting regulations ensure that there is minimal light pollution, allowing for breathtaking views of the Milky Way and numerous constellations like the Southern Cross. You can even see the Magellanic Clouds, two nearby satellite galaxies of the Milky Way that are visible to the naked eye from the Southern Hemisphere.
Lake Tekapo Gallery:
If you’re interested in experiencing this firsthand, consider joining a stargazing tour in Lake Tekapo. These tours provide telescopes and expert guidance to help you explore the wonders of the night sky. Lake Tekapo offers a variety of stargazing experiences.
Stargazing Tours in Lake Tekapo
Each Star Gazing tour offers a unique perspective on the southern skies, catering to various interests and preferences. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Chameleon Stargazing and highly recommend it.
Dark Sky Project: Located in Lake Tekapo township, this facility offers guided tours at the Mount John Observatory and an indoor multimedia experience combining Maori astronomy (Tatai Aroraki) with modern science.
Tekapo Stargazing: This unique tour combines a guided stargazing session with a relaxing soak in the hot pools at Tekapo Springs, allowing guests to “soak in the stars.”
Silver River Stargazing: Offers intimate, small-group tours with the use of 14-inch telescopes, providing a personalized experience under the night sky.
Chameleon Stargazing: Provides both shared and private tours, focusing on naked-eye stargazing and telescope viewing, guided by knowledgeable hosts. Tours include photos of you in front of the night sky, hot chocolate and smores around a campfire.
Astro Tekapo: A family-operated company offering in-depth guided tours that blend astronomical insights with multicultural storytelling.
Experiencing the night sky in Lake Tekapo is more than just stargazing; it’s an opportunity to connect with nature, culture, and the universe in a unique and immersive way.
Mount Cook Hooker Valley Track: A Bucket List Trail
The Hooker Valley Track is one of New Zealand’s best day hikes. It’s used by around half a million visitors every year and easily the most popular visitor attraction in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
We used Lake Tekapo as the base for our visit. The drive to the Hooker Valley track makes for one of the most memorable day trips you can do on the South Island. The drive itself is under an hour and a half, but it’s a big part of the experience. If you want to beat the tour buses plan on arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
From Lake Tekapo you start out heading west on SH8 until you’re about halfway there. It’s then that, suddenly Lake Pukaki appears. It has that same glacier fed blue hue as Lake Tekapo, it’s quite the showstopper. Towering at the far end of the lake stands Aoraki/Mount Cook. We had to pull over at several of the viewpoints to take in the views. Trust us, you will too! If you choose only one viewpoint be sure to stop at Peter’s Lookout!
You continue on SH8 until you turn onto Mount Cook Road (State Highway 80) with Mount Cook looming straight ahead! The road twists and turns along the edge of the lake with the Southern Alps getting closer and more dramatic. It’s one of the most beautiful drives we’ve ever done.
If you left early or later to beat the crowds you should have no problem finding a free parking spot at the White Horse Hill Campground. The trail starts from here, it’s well marked and very accessible.
It’s 10km if you hike all the way to Hooker Lake on an easy, mostly flat well maintained trail. Highlights include three swing bridges, alpine streams and views of Aoraki/Mount Cook the entire way.
But you don’t have to hike the entire way to enjoy your time. Even though it was mid summer in January the weather was cool, damp and crazy windy when we visited. In fact the wind kept getting stronger the further we hiked. We did make it to the second swing bridge and then half way across. It was there where we were being tossed around so much by the strong winds that we decided to call it a day. Even though the weather wasn’t as favorable as it could have been we were so glad to have had the experience.
Mount Cook / Hooker Valley Track Gallery:
If you’ve got some energy left after the hike you might swing by the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre or grab a meal or drink at The Hermitage Hotel with mountain views. If you’re looking for another glacier fix check out the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint, it’s a 20 minute return walk.
Hooker Valley Track Closure:
The second bridge on the Hooker Valley Track has been impacted by riverbank erosion from wind and rain events over the past few years and is also susceptible to heavy snowfalls. After heavy rainfall Easter 2025 weekend, the second bridge on the Hooker Valley Track, one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations, was closed by the Department of Conservation. Be sure to check the Depart of Conservation website for current alerts. Plans for a replacement bridge are underway with a goal to have it open during autumn 2026.
Don’t let the closure stop you from visiting. You will still be able to hike up to the 2nd bridge along with a number of other hikes.
Where We Stayed:
A Highlight Of Our Trip With Great Views Of The Lake And Night Sky were spending two nights in the Henkel Hut at The Chalet Boutique Accommodation in Lake Tekapo! The location was perfect with beautiful views of the lake right from our room plus amazing views of the night sky just outside Henkel Hut which is a stand alone unit. The lake and chapel are easily accessed by a short walk with shops and restaurants just a short drive away. Henkel Hut came with everything we needed including all kitchen items to enjoy a meal or two. The Chalet provided a convenient spot for our day trip to Mount Cook and Hooker Valley Track as well as a short drive for a fun night of star gazing at Chameleon Star Gazing. The Chalet was a super find for us and so glad we were able to book. At the time of this writing their website was not available however you can click the link on trip advisor to “e-mail hotel” to reach out.
Chalet Boutique Accommodation:
Next Up… We’re off to Wanaka and Queenstown
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