Lake Tekapo from Queenstown: best photogenic stops
If you’re heading to Lake Tekapo from Queenstown, there are definitely a few places you will want to stop at along the way, so make sure you have a look below for some of the epic things to do on this road trip.
I loved exploring South Island and stopped at all of the best places, and here’s the best of the bunch. I’d highly recommend the Onsen Hot Pools, the Lake Pukaki Viewpoint and the Clay Cliffs!
The scenery changes quite drastically in South Island, and you find yourself passing through towering mountains on either side, deep ravines in valleys flatland past as your blue lakes and of course, the snowcapped Mount cook / Aoraki!
Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel blogs for attractions nearby on your South Island itinerary or North Island road trip.
Not sure where to go? Have a look at my article on North or South Island which is better?
This article may contain affiliate links.
Quick Mini Guide To queenstown to tekapo
Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to Queenstown to Tekapo.
Where to stay
- Queenstown:Queenstown House B&B or The Canyons B&B with hot tub rated 9.4
- Tekapo: Peppers Bluewater Resort
Top sights
- Stargazing in the dark sky reserve or Mount John observatory
- The stunning blue lake itself
- Book an air safari to see Mt Cook from above
- Go offroading
How to get there
Stay connected
Purchase an eSim with Airalo on your phone – Use discount code A&M3 for $3 off your first purchase.
Best activities & tours on South Island
Here are some of the best New Zealand South Island tours! I always compare tours on Viator and Get Your Guide to check prices and different tour availability. Choose from your favourites; private tours, or small group tours to these locations.
| Jet Boat & Wilderness experience – If you’re after an adrenaline experience then this is for you! Milford Sound Cruises – The best way to see the unofficial 8th wonder of the world on this epic day tour. Franz Josef Glacier tours – one of the most iconic, stunning, incredible things to experience in South Island! Glenorchy & Paradise half day tour – if you’re after some beautiful sight seeing this is for you! Glow worm caves – Dont miss the iconic glow worm caves in South Island! Scenic Flights – One of the most iconic experiences in all of South Island, New Zealand. |
Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand guides for attractions nearby on your South Island itinerary:
- Glamping on South Island
- Queenstown to Lake Tekapo Scenic Drive
- Things to do in Akaroa
- Lake Tekapo purple flowers: the famous Lupins
- Tekapo Hot Springs
- Tekapo Star Gazing Dark Nature Reserve
- Things to do in Lake Tekapo
- Best supermarkets in Queenstown
- Camping Lake Tekapo & Central Otago
- Lord of the Rings filming locations
- Best travel adapter for New Zealand
Car & Campervan Rental
It’s recommended that you either hire yourself, a camper van or a car, so you can explore South Island at your heart’s desire on an epic road trip NZ South Island.
Depending on what time of year it can be really busy so it is worth looking at your stay well in advance. Bear in mind cost of hotels on your itinerary South Island New Zealand.
Read my guide on Lake Tekapo Camping.
Hotels in South Island
We visited New Zealand in the summer months in January and found that because it was the school holidays. It was an exceptionally busy time of year and a lot of the hotel prices were on the more expensive side, and we decided to do a mix of camping glamping and staying in hotels and Airbnb.
If you’re interested in glamping in some cool bubble dome tents, or staying with llamas, have a look at the best places to go glamping on South Island.
Lake Tekapo from Queenstown
The journey from Queenstown to Lake Tekapo, is roughly 3 hours depending on which route you do, but I highly recommend going via Wanaka, so you can see the incredible Wanaka Lavender Farm, that Wanaka tree simply enjoy the view of Lake Wanaka.
Queenstown to Lake Tekapo distance: 256 km or 159 miles
There’s a tonne of places to stop on your epic Lake Tekapo road trip, here are the most photogenic.
Before you leave Queenstown, make sure you try the ‘best burger in the world’ – the Ferg Burger, and consider taking it to Queenstown lake to sit on the shores and eat there.
Where to stay in Queenstown
A lot of these places have jaw dropping, spectacular views of the mountains and Lake Wakatipu. Have a look below.
Best hotel in Queenstown: Queenstown House B&B rated 9.8 or The Canyons B&B with hot tub rated 9.4
Best Camping in Queenstown: TOP10 Holiday Park Queenstown
lake tekapo to queenstown stops
Have a browse and see if there’s anything you want to do on the below list; we did all of them and it’s highly recommended!
Onsen hot pools Queenstown
The first place you want to do on your drive from Lake Tekapo to Queenstown or in reverse is head towards Arthur’s Point to indulge in a bit of pamper and luxury at the Onsen hot pools Queenstown.
Spend an hour soaking in the tub here overlooking the insane view of snow, mountains, and rivers below. You can also opt to have a massage or a treatment in This spa, which is highly recommended.
Read more about the hot pools in Queenstown here.
We booked our hot tub experience at 9am in the morning and we’re free to explore the rest of the day which was perfect.
Wanaka
After about an hour of driving to Lake Tekapo from Queenstown, so you’ll reach Wanaka and it is a great place for a pitstop.
Depending on what time you leave there are plenty of places to stop by and have some lunch and of course you will need to go and visit the famous Wanaka tree (it’s literally called #ThatWanakaTree on Google), which is growing in the middle of the lake.
Why is That Wanaka Tree so famous?
Christchurch-based photographer Dennis Radermacher captured an image of the tree, which subsequently earned him the title of the 2014 New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year thanks to its foggy ethereal vibe. Following this, the tree gained fame as a social media sensation and yes, everyone snaps pictures of it.
It makes for a great hike around that area, but just bear in mind, it can get quite windy so bring warm weather proof jacket just in case. They have a number of great ice cream shops around town, so browse, stroll and enjoy your snacks!
The journey from Wanaka to Lake Tekapo is around 2 hours and 18 minutes.
Where to stay in Wanaka
A lot of these places have jaw dropping, spectacular views of Lake Wanaka. Have a look below.
Best hotel in Wanaka: Edgewater Hotel rated 8.4 or Club Wyndham Wanaka with hot tub rated 9.4
Best Camping in Wanaka : TOP10 Holiday Park Wanaka
Wanaka Lavender Farm
If you happen to be passing through between the months of November and February, then make sure you stop at Wanaka Lavender Farm on your Lake Tekapo from Queenstown journey, which is honestly incredible.
The scenery is quite unlike anything else with beautiful fields, jaw dropping mountains surrounding the vibrant lilac purple hues of lavender, as far as the eye can see.
They also have fun farm animals like llamas and alpacas, pigs and chickens!
Make sure you stop by the lavender shop to have a look at the lavender bars, lavender, candles, lavender, scented packs, and of course they are lavender café for some lavender, macaroons and teas.
The Wanaka lavender farm has a wonderfully quaint café, where you can indulge in an array of lavender-infused snacks, including scones, macarons, and an exquisite selection of teas – lavender tea being a highlight, of course.
Don’t forget to visit the shop on your way out; it’s stocked with luxurious lavender products that are truly luxurious, such as lavender lip balm and various creams – perfect for taking home a piece of this experience.
Lindis pass
Lindis Pass is known for being a stunningly scenic route on your South Island road trip to Lake Tekapo from Queenstown, connecting the Mackenzie Basin with Central Otago. This is a very quick five minute stop over on the side of the road, but honestly you will not regret it .
The land formation in this area is essentially Hersheys chocolate kisses mounds in every direction, and it’s pretty spectacular view.
The walk to the viewpoint is probably not even five minutes and it is absolutely stunning.
A great place to stop by have a quick snack, take some pictures and admire the views.
This high mountain pass, reaching an elevation of 971 meters (3,186 feet) at its summit, is stunningly beautiful and you won’t regret stopping here!
The pass has historical significance, having been used by Māori for greenstone (pounamu) trading routes and later by European settlers for sheep grazing. Its name is derived from the Māori language.
There are no facilities directly in the pass, nearby towns such as Omarama and Cromwell have everything you need from bathrooms to restaurants and hotels!
Conservation: The unique flora and fauna of the Lindis Pass area are also now protected, with efforts to preserve its natural beauty and ecological value, and it’s not hard to see why!
Omarama Clay Cliffs
The Clay Cliffs near Omarama in New Zealand’s South Island are a bizarrely remarkable and otherworldly spot for an unforgettable road trip to Lake Tekapo from Queenstown.
Despite the fact the hike is fairly short, it’s well worth a trip! It leads you through an extraordinary landscape of towering peaks and valleys, composed of layers of silt and gravel.
Shaped by the erosive forces of ancient glaciers over millions of years, this bizarrely alien landscape remains relatively untouched by the tourist trail and it’s just 15 minutes off the main route to Lake Tekapo.
Where to stay in Omarama
A lot of these places have jaw dropping, spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. Have a look below.
Best hotel in Omarama:: Big Sky B&B rated 9.4
Best Camping in Omarama: : TOP10 Holiday Park Omarama
Lake Pukaki Viewpoint
About 30 minutes out from Lake Tekapo is the incredible Lake Pukaki viewpoint.
Read my full guide to Pukaki here, but essentially it is one of the best views of Mount Cook / Aoraki which is the highest mountain in all of South Island in New Zealand.
If you want to do a road trip from Tekapo to Mt Cook, make sure you stop by the most iconic viewpoints!
If you choose to spend some time here, you might want to head towards Mt Cook National Park where there are a number of hikes (Hooker Valley Track) and beautiful scenic places to admire the Southern Alps and stroll.
Stop by here to eat some of the most beautiful views in all of South Island so be sure to bring your camera with you on this leg of you Lake Tekapo from Queenstown journey!!! We shot this on a 300mm lens, but if you just have your camera phone that will work too.
Where to stay in Pukaki
A lot of these places have jaw dropping, spectacular views of Lake Pukaki and even Mount Cook. Have a look below.
Best hotel in Wanaka: Lakestone Lodge rated 9.6 or Lake Pukaki Lake House with hot tub rated 9.2
Best Camping in Pukaki : There aren’t a tonne of options, but have a look at Lake Pukaki overnight camping
Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel guides for things to do in North and South Island!
Things to do in Lake Tekapo
So! You’ve finally reached Lake Tekapo from Queenstown… now what? Have a look at the full guide for best things to do in Lake Tekapo.
Lake Tekapo Accommodation
There are a tonne of really beautiful hotels right on the waterfront OR overlooking the lake (it’s not hard to miss the view; it’s pretty stunning!).
Have a look at the Peppers Bluewater Resort – floor to ceiling windows for your viewing pleasure!
Make sure you read my whole guide on things to do in Lake Tekapo. It’s one of the most charming and popular spots on South Island, but it never felt like it was overcrowded and busy. It’s just an iconic destination in both summer and winter.
We spent several days in Tekapo and found we had the best time just enjoying the peaceful landscape, the pretty lake and the history of the place. And of course, Tekapo Springs. After that I recommend you stroll around town, have a look at the historical church and drop by Lake Tekapo Tavern.
Think beautiful cyan blue waters, incredible, jagged mountains, dating back past the Jurassic age, history as old as the colonial times itself, and of course, we can’t forget the incredible Dark Night reserve, meaning you’ll see some of the most beautiful stargazing experiences worldwide. Have a look at the Tekapo Star Gazing Dark Nature Reserve!
The Church of the Good Shepherd is arguably the most photographed building on South Island. It’s serene and picturesque landmark on the shores of Lake Tekapo, in the heart of New Zealand’s South Island.
This iconic church, built in 1935 is said to be the first church built in the Mackenzie Basin.
Historical Significance
- Construction: The church was constructed so the early settlers of the Mackenzie Basin could practice religion in the area. Its rustic design and use of local stone help it blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
- Dedication: It is dedicated to the Good Shepherd, reflecting the area’s pastoral heritage.
South Island Weather
Here is the average weather on the South Island by each month. The South Island of New Zealand experiences a diverse climate, with the west coast receiving high rainfall and the east coast being drier and cooler.
Seasonal temperatures vary widely, from warm, sunny summers to cold, snowy winters, especially in the mountainous regions.
South Island Weather in January
Average temperature: 15°C (59°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 15
Average sunrise time: 6:15 AM
Average sunset time: 9:30 PM
South Island Weather in February
Average temperature: 14°C (57°F)
Average rainy days: 7
Average daylight hours: 14
Average sunrise time: 6:45 AM
Average sunset time: 9:00 PM
South Island Weather in March
Average temperature: 12°C (54°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 12
Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
Average sunset time: 8:15 PM
South Island Weather in April
Average temperature: 9°C (48°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 11
Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:45 PM
South Island Weather in May
Average temperature: 6°C (43°F)
Average rainy days: 10
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:15 AM
Average sunset time: 5:30 PM
South Island Weather in June
Average temperature: 4°C (39°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:30 AM
Average sunset time: 5:15 PM
South Island Weather in July
Average temperature: 3°C (37°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:30 AM
Average sunset time: 5:30 PM
South Island Weather in August
Average temperature: 5°C (41°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 10
Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:00 PM
South Island Weather in September
Average temperature: 7°C (45°F)
Average rainy days: 10
Average daylight hours: 12
Average sunrise time: 6:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:30 PM
South Island Weather in October
Average temperature: 9°C (48°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 13
Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
Average sunset time: 7:45 PM
South Island Weather in November
Average temperature: 11°C (52°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 14
Average sunrise time: 6:00 AM
Average sunset time: 8:30 PM
South Island Weather in December
Average temperature: 13°C (55°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 15
Average sunrise time: 5:45 AM
Average sunset time: 9:15 PM
Quick links
| Here’s everything I use when I travel abroad: Tours – Compare tour prices on Viator and Get Your Guide Hotels – I always use Booking as the more hotels I book, I get a higher Genius discount. I also compare prices on Expedia. E-Sims – purchase an e-sim with Airalo on your phone so you can make calls and have mobile data abroad! There’s no need to remove your current sim card! Travel insurance – don’t ever go on vacation without travel insurance, you never know when you might need it! Travel essentials – have a look at a full list of travel essentials that I use, including the best power bank! |
Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel blogs for attractions nearby in South Island or North Island:
- Wanaka lavender farm
- Lake Tekapo purple flowers: the famous Lupins
- Tekapo Hot Springs
- Tekapo Star Gazing Dark Nature Reserve
- Lake Pukaki viewpoint of Mount Cook
- Onsen hot pools
- Akaroa Dolphin Watching
South Island Itinerary NZ 10 days
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