MAKING MEMORIES IN TEKAPO
05 JANUARY 2023
Updated: 06 February 2024
Updated: 06 February 2024
Tekapo is like a giant playground for kids! Where else can you find a giant jellybean to take a photo with? It's like a giant candy store and the giant jellybean is the cherry on top.
There are so many walks and hikes in the area (short and long), with the most incredible views! In spring, the colourful lupins take over the area and are so photogenic, in summer it's nice to cool off in the brilliant blue lake, autumn will see golden leaves around and in winter the snowcapped mountains are a sight for sore eyes, plus it might even snow in the town! It's one of our favourite places in New Zealand and we never, ever get sick of visiting.
There are so many walks and hikes in the area (short and long), with the most incredible views! In spring, the colourful lupins take over the area and are so photogenic, in summer it's nice to cool off in the brilliant blue lake, autumn will see golden leaves around and in winter the snowcapped mountains are a sight for sore eyes, plus it might even snow in the town! It's one of our favourite places in New Zealand and we never, ever get sick of visiting.
Feel The Wind In Your Hair
This is one of the best things to do in Tekapo in winter! Some of the walks can be a bit slippery schaloodally when the snow is around, so you may as well be slipper schaloodalling along on a snow tube! Each session is 1 hour long and you can go as many times as you like within the hour. You can also ice skate on the giant rink available, providing there are no ice hockey games on.
Take A Photo With The Locals!
Beside the Aotea Shop in Tekapo, you'll find a few characters that the kids will love climbing on and cuddling - there's an emu, sheep, kiwi and Mr Jelly Belly himself.
Mr Jelly Belly (or Jellbell as we like to call him) is a funny wee jellybean and sits there alllllll day just waiting for a cuddle! I had a great chat with him - he was telling me all of his tales from Tekapo. He is one sweet treat that won't get your kids bouncing off the wall!
Mr Jelly Belly (or Jellbell as we like to call him) is a funny wee jellybean and sits there alllllll day just waiting for a cuddle! I had a great chat with him - he was telling me all of his tales from Tekapo. He is one sweet treat that won't get your kids bouncing off the wall!
Explore The Beautiful Lupin Field
If you're visiting Tekapo (or just passing through) between mid-November and the end of December, then a visit to the lupin field should be on your list.
Sienna LOVED running through the lupins as they were taller than her, so it was like being in a maze for her. Both girls loved the colours of the lupins and all said wooooooow when we drove past and saw an ocean of them!
It's also an awesome place to take some family pics, so bring ya sunnies, a cute hat and an even cuter outfit for the kiddies and get snapping.
Sienna LOVED running through the lupins as they were taller than her, so it was like being in a maze for her. Both girls loved the colours of the lupins and all said wooooooow when we drove past and saw an ocean of them!
It's also an awesome place to take some family pics, so bring ya sunnies, a cute hat and an even cuter outfit for the kiddies and get snapping.
Fly, Swing or Spin In Front Of NZ's Best Playground Backdrop
We love playgrounds, it gives us all a chance to unwind and have a little fun. The playground at Tekapo has the best view we have seen in the whole of New Zealand!
The playground has some spiny things, swings, rope logs, a slide and the best part - a flying fox. We spent a lot of time on the playground and we soon learnt that the seat closest to the lake was the best one to go on as the other one wasn't very fast and anyone on it stopped almost halfway and looked BITTERLY disappointed!
It's in the town centre, with plenty of parking near it and it's right in front of the Four Square which meant we often popped over for a quick swing or fly after going to the supermarket (to get the vuuuury expensive groceries).
The playground has some spiny things, swings, rope logs, a slide and the best part - a flying fox. We spent a lot of time on the playground and we soon learnt that the seat closest to the lake was the best one to go on as the other one wasn't very fast and anyone on it stopped almost halfway and looked BITTERLY disappointed!
It's in the town centre, with plenty of parking near it and it's right in front of the Four Square which meant we often popped over for a quick swing or fly after going to the supermarket (to get the vuuuury expensive groceries).
Step Back Into The 1950s
Burkes Pass which is a small mountain pass village, a VERY small mountain village, that sits between Tekapo and Fairlie. It's only 15-minutes from Tekapo and is a mixture of old times and good times... on one hand you have a huge history here in the Mackenzie Country, which you can learn about on the heritage walk (where kids can keep entertained by finding Sally the dog) and then it's all rock n' roll and Coca Cola over at Three Creeks, which is a 1950s retro 'town' filled with loads of items to marvel at and buy.
Warm Up On A Coooold Day
The Tekapo Hot Springs are a great place to unwind after a long drive across the country or after skiing at Mt Dobson. The springs are set at the base of Mt John and there are a few pools with different temps to enjoy. In summer there is a small splash pad for the kids to play in.
We visited in autumn and it was so nice to warm up in the pools. We loved the fact that there were bench seats the whole way around the pools which made it easier to relax instead of swimming around like an awkward fish, trying to stay afloat.
We visited in autumn and it was so nice to warm up in the pools. We loved the fact that there were bench seats the whole way around the pools which made it easier to relax instead of swimming around like an awkward fish, trying to stay afloat.
Experience The BEST Views + The BEST Carrot Cake In Tekapo
Mt John is a short drive from the Tekapo shops and it offers THE BEST view in the whole of Tekapo! You get 360-degree views across the Mackenzie Basin including Lake Tekapo, Lake Alexandrina and the Southern Alps.
We're pretty sure the cafe has the best cafe view in New Zealand! We LOVED their carrot cake - we get it at almost every cafe we visit around New Zealand and it's safe to say it's the best we have had. Ok now I'm drooling....
There's so much for kids to do up Mt John from walking around the summit, to finding gemstone veins in the rocks, to eating delicious food in the cafe. Oh, we can't forget about the boulder just down from the cafe - it's the best place for taking fun photos of the family.
We're pretty sure the cafe has the best cafe view in New Zealand! We LOVED their carrot cake - we get it at almost every cafe we visit around New Zealand and it's safe to say it's the best we have had. Ok now I'm drooling....
There's so much for kids to do up Mt John from walking around the summit, to finding gemstone veins in the rocks, to eating delicious food in the cafe. Oh, we can't forget about the boulder just down from the cafe - it's the best place for taking fun photos of the family.
Jump, Slide, Tube Or Skate At Tekapo Springs
In summer, Tekapo Springs offers two epic boredom kills and energy zappers - the Jumpernaut and the giant waterslide. Although we went back in summer 2024 and it had been replaced by mini golf, so check it's there before you head over!
We had so much fun on the Jumpernaut - we were springing here, jumping there and falling over laughing. It was such an awesome family experience and there is so much to do on it that we never got bored - just thirsty!
In winter, the concrete area is turned into an ice-skating rink and the waterslide comes down and is replaced with snow for snow tubing. Afterwards, you can walk a few steps across to the hot pools to warm up.
We had so much fun on the Jumpernaut - we were springing here, jumping there and falling over laughing. It was such an awesome family experience and there is so much to do on it that we never got bored - just thirsty!
In winter, the concrete area is turned into an ice-skating rink and the waterslide comes down and is replaced with snow for snow tubing. Afterwards, you can walk a few steps across to the hot pools to warm up.
Stretch Your Legs, Say WOW To The Views + Play In SECRET Huts!
The Cowans Hill Track is close to the town and takes you through forests, young and old, plus plenty of beautiful lupins (if you're there mid-November to the end of December) until you reach golden fields with the most incredible views across Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps.
Along the track we discovered some awesome log huts someone had made. The girls spent hours playing shops in them and even started to build their own. The huts are right beside the river so every time we visited, we went gemstone hunting and found some beauties. Read our full blog to find out where to find the huts.
Along the track we discovered some awesome log huts someone had made. The girls spent hours playing shops in them and even started to build their own. The huts are right beside the river so every time we visited, we went gemstone hunting and found some beauties. Read our full blog to find out where to find the huts.
See Southern Crested Grebes, Swim In Clear Water and Take In The Views
Lake Alexandrina is one of our favourite places in Tekapo, it's just a short drive from the Tekapo shops.. It's a beautiful clear lake which is peaceful and quiet, even in peak tourist season!
There's so much to do here - swim, kayak or boat in the lake, watch the Southern Crested Grebes do their synchronized mating dances or walk to the top of the hill (a 2-minute walk, or longer with grumpy kids) and take in the scenic views from the top.
There's so much to do here - swim, kayak or boat in the lake, watch the Southern Crested Grebes do their synchronized mating dances or walk to the top of the hill (a 2-minute walk, or longer with grumpy kids) and take in the scenic views from the top.
Visit Another Planet
The Omarama Clay Cliffs are an out of this world phenomenon and ok, ok they're just over an hour south of Tekapo but visiting the cliffs is well worth a trip from Tekapo! Being inside them is like being on another planet and it's such a fun place for kids to explore. There are plenty of places to play hide and seek and there are even a few gemstones to be found on the path along the way.
We always love exploring the cliffs when we're in the area as it's such a unique landscape and I love taking photos there. Every season looks so different inside and outside the cliffs.
We always love exploring the cliffs when we're in the area as it's such a unique landscape and I love taking photos there. Every season looks so different inside and outside the cliffs.
Walk To Eat Cake (You Have To Earn It, Right?)
Even though you can drive up Mt John in Tekapo, nothing beats a good ol' leg stretch and hike, especially with views this good! The Mt John via Lakeshore Track is 8.9kms and takes 3 hours (unless you stop for cake at the Astro Cafe at the summit) and offers panoramic views across the Mackenzie Basin, Lake Tekapo and across to the Southern Alps. This is one of my favourite walks in New Zealand!
Take A Short And INCREDIBLE Walk + Visit The Alpine Museum
The Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand (and the world) and is home to some of the best short walks in New Zealand and it's just over an hour's drive from Tekapo. So again, technically this isn't anything to do with Tekapo BUT we feel like it needs to be mentioned!
There are short walks from 30-minutes to 3 hours. We've done a few of the walks with the girls who loved seeing the snow (it's on the tippy tops of the mountains, even in summer)
The Hooker Valley Track is a 3-hour return walk through incredible mountains, across swing bridges where you end up at the Hooker Lake with incredible views of Mt Cook.
The Kea Point Track is a short 1-hour return walk passing through the beautiful valley and large boulders until you reach the top where you'll be greeted with views of the Mueller Glacier Lake with a stunning backdrop of Mt Cook, Hooker Valley, Mount Sefton and The Footstool (coulda done with one of those after the walk!).
The Tasman Glacier View Track is one of our favourites and it's only 30-minutes from the carpark. It is uphill the entire time and mainly stairs - so be prepared for this! Great thigh killer but not so good on a hot day with grumpy kiddies (our bad!). You'll pass by the blue lakes (which are actually green) and it's all worth it to see icebergs floating in the Tasman Lake which are there all year round. If you squint, you'll be able to see the Tasman Glacier at the base of the Southern Alps.
There is also the Tasman Lake Track, which branches off from the Tasman Glacier View Track and it takes you down to the lake. This is the best place to see the icebergs up close if the wind is in your favour!
The Red Tarns Track is a thigh killer with over one hour of stairs BUT the views are 100% worth it! We reckon it's one of the best views in the Mt Cook National Park.
The Hermitage Hotel has to be one of our favourite hotels we have stayed in around New Zealand. The views are INCREDIBLE, the staff are amazing, the food from the buffet is sooooo good and we enjoyed the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Museum where the kids could check out the old machinery.
Click below to read the full blogs:
Hooker Valley Track
Kea Point Track
Tasman Glacier View Track
Tasman Lake Track
Red Tarns Track
Hermitage Hotel
There are short walks from 30-minutes to 3 hours. We've done a few of the walks with the girls who loved seeing the snow (it's on the tippy tops of the mountains, even in summer)
The Hooker Valley Track is a 3-hour return walk through incredible mountains, across swing bridges where you end up at the Hooker Lake with incredible views of Mt Cook.
The Kea Point Track is a short 1-hour return walk passing through the beautiful valley and large boulders until you reach the top where you'll be greeted with views of the Mueller Glacier Lake with a stunning backdrop of Mt Cook, Hooker Valley, Mount Sefton and The Footstool (coulda done with one of those after the walk!).
The Tasman Glacier View Track is one of our favourites and it's only 30-minutes from the carpark. It is uphill the entire time and mainly stairs - so be prepared for this! Great thigh killer but not so good on a hot day with grumpy kiddies (our bad!). You'll pass by the blue lakes (which are actually green) and it's all worth it to see icebergs floating in the Tasman Lake which are there all year round. If you squint, you'll be able to see the Tasman Glacier at the base of the Southern Alps.
There is also the Tasman Lake Track, which branches off from the Tasman Glacier View Track and it takes you down to the lake. This is the best place to see the icebergs up close if the wind is in your favour!
The Red Tarns Track is a thigh killer with over one hour of stairs BUT the views are 100% worth it! We reckon it's one of the best views in the Mt Cook National Park.
The Hermitage Hotel has to be one of our favourite hotels we have stayed in around New Zealand. The views are INCREDIBLE, the staff are amazing, the food from the buffet is sooooo good and we enjoyed the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Museum where the kids could check out the old machinery.
Click below to read the full blogs:
Hooker Valley Track
Kea Point Track
Tasman Glacier View Track
Tasman Lake Track
Red Tarns Track
Hermitage Hotel
Take A Dip In Some Of The Bluest Waters In New Zealand
Lake Tekapo is one of our faaaavourite places in New Zealand.
It's the ultimate playground for the whole family - there are plenty of rocks for kids to throw and stack, loads of space to hang out and have a picnic, mountain biking trails, kayaks for hire and the water colour is incredible and so refreshing to swim in during summer (a tad bit chilly in winter!) especially at Pines Beach where it's sandy.
It's the ultimate playground for the whole family - there are plenty of rocks for kids to throw and stack, loads of space to hang out and have a picnic, mountain biking trails, kayaks for hire and the water colour is incredible and so refreshing to swim in during summer (a tad bit chilly in winter!) especially at Pines Beach where it's sandy.
Eat Lavender Ice Cream + Take Instagram Worthy Photos
The New Zealand Alpine Lavender Farm is absolutely gorgeous and it's a really fun place for the family. It's open from December till the end of March. We visited in December then again in January and it was so vibrant on our second visit. It's a 30-min drive from Tekapo and along the highway to Mt Cook.
There's plenty of deeelicious lavender ice cream to eat with really yummy flavours - our favourites were the chocolate and the honey ice creams mmm.
For a small entry fee, you can enter the lavender fields and walk, run or bike along the rows as well as take awesome photos with the lace umbrellas, the deck chairs and the swing seat. We can't forget about the purple tractor to play on!
There's plenty of deeelicious lavender ice cream to eat with really yummy flavours - our favourites were the chocolate and the honey ice creams mmm.
For a small entry fee, you can enter the lavender fields and walk, run or bike along the rows as well as take awesome photos with the lace umbrellas, the deck chairs and the swing seat. We can't forget about the purple tractor to play on!
Walk Around The Highest Point In Tekapo
Another great track in Tekapo is the Mt John Summit Circuit, which is an easy 30-minute track around the summit of Mt John. To do this track, you can drive up (no need to walk up through the forest from Tekapo Springs or via the lakeshore... unless you want to!) and the track starts from the carpark. These are the best views in Tekapo and you'll look down at Lake Tekapo, Lake Alexandrina, Lake McGregor and across to the Southern Alps. Between mid Nov - end of Dec there will be colourful lupins spread around Mt John, which draw in a lot of visitors each year.
Visit The Most Photographed Church In New Zealand
The Church of the Good Shepherd is a popular spot in Tekapo and is known for its stunning views of Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps. It's the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll and admire the picturesque scenery. Our girls always enjoyed visiting the statue of the dog, which isn't far from the church.
Star Gaze In Some Of The Clearest Skies In The World
The Mackenzie Basin boasts some of the clearest skies in the world, making it a prime destination for stargazing. Our girls were super excited to see the night sky filled with stars and planets during our first trip to Tekapo in the autumn of 2021. The darkness set in earlier compared to our summer visit in 2022 where the darkness was delayed till around 11pm so we didn't get any star gazing in.
You can visit the observatories on top of Mt John, where you can join a guided tour for an immersive stargazing experience, or you can see the stars for free anywhere in Tekapo as there is such little light pollution.
You can visit the observatories on top of Mt John, where you can join a guided tour for an immersive stargazing experience, or you can see the stars for free anywhere in Tekapo as there is such little light pollution.
EAT!
Kind of a vital part of being a human being... eating food! There are some really good food places in Tekapo and we want to share our favourites with you. Keep in mind that Tekapo is a town that relies on tourism, so the prices are often higher than other towns in NZ.
There are a few restaurants in Tekapo but we have yet to try them. As you can see, there are options for all budgets and tastes which is impressive for a small town!
- Better Batter: (ok, this is our favourite in Tekapo!) They serve up some of the most delicious fish and chips, and tender popcorn chicken we've ever had! They are such an awesome team of people. The park up at the big parking area on Lakeside Drive and are in a trailer - you can't miss them! Check them out on Facebook for their opening hours and prices.
- Tekapo Four Square: It's the only supermarket in the area and it has the usual supermarket stuff as well as some ready to go meals in the chiller (think hummus and carrot sticks, sandwiches, sushi). Their coffee is actually the best we have had in Tekapo but that always depends on who's making it, right? They also have the most amazing supermarket view in New Zealand! Click here for more info.
- The Greedy Cow: They have some delicious food in their cabinet and do great coffee, as well as a hot food menu. The lines are always out the door for this place, especially during peak season in summer! Click here for more their website.
- Jack Rabbit: We love the cabinet food here and find the prices reasonable. Their basil pesto and cream cheese scones are sooooo good! Click here for their website.
- Astro Cafe: This is a cafe up Mt John, which has the most incredible views.... possibly one of the best cafe views in all of NZ! Their carrot cake and velvet cake are delicious. They are open Fri - Mon from 9am - 2pm and it costs $8 to get up the mountain, but it is totally worth it. Click here for their website.
- Tekapo Springs: The Altitude 720 Cafe here has some nice cabinet food and our favourite is the carrot cake... one of our fav we have tried at a cafe! Click here for their website.
- Dolce Pizza: At 6 Rapuwai Lane sits a food truck selling wood fired pizzas. We haven't tried any yet with the gluten and dairy intolerances being thrown around, but next time we're planning on having a bite (and hopefully not regretting it).
There are a few restaurants in Tekapo but we have yet to try them. As you can see, there are options for all budgets and tastes which is impressive for a small town!
Conclusion
Whether you're looking to relax, explore, or create lasting memories, there's something for everyone in and around Tekapo. With its beautiful scenery, crystal clear waters, and endless opportunities for adventure, Tekapo is the perfect place for a family holiday. So pack your bags, grab your kids (kind of an important thing to remember) and head to Tekapo for an unforgettable family adventure.
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