A HIDDEN GEM IN TEKAPO + SECRET HUTS!
26 DECEMBER 2022
There is snow all year round on the tops of the mountains
A RIVER VIEW AND A LAKE VIEW
To be honest, the only reason we did this track was because the house we were staying in, was right on this trail and it was an awesome place to walk the dog. We had seen photos of it online when we did our research but it was absolutely nothing like we thought it would be and we are SO GLAD we did it!! It's a true hidden gem of Tekapo and we highly recommend doing it when you're in Tekapo!
The track is just 3km long and you can either do the full loop, walk through the forest (and lupins if you're there in November or December!) and up to the tarns where the views are then turn back or you could even just walk a few hundred metres up from the start and take in the views of the foot bridge, lake and mountains from a well-placed bench seat.
It's also a mountain biking track so if that's what you're into then you'll have a lot of fun on this track!
HIDDEN TRACK ALERT! Keep reading to find out where to find some awesome forest huts for the kids to play in.
The track is just 3km long and you can either do the full loop, walk through the forest (and lupins if you're there in November or December!) and up to the tarns where the views are then turn back or you could even just walk a few hundred metres up from the start and take in the views of the foot bridge, lake and mountains from a well-placed bench seat.
It's also a mountain biking track so if that's what you're into then you'll have a lot of fun on this track!
HIDDEN TRACK ALERT! Keep reading to find out where to find some awesome forest huts for the kids to play in.
The lupins are seriously beautiful, especially the multi coloured ones
They let water out of the lake every now and then and you'll hear a siren which will give a 5 - 10 minute warning
The track passes by houses, so you feel like you're walking on their lawn!
Don't try and cross this bridge, there is a foot bridge further down
Into The Forest We Go
We stayed right beside this forest part, it was so easy to just start walking, we didn't have to drive anywhere, or pack loads of stuff just to go on a cool walk.
There were so many young and old pine trees and it's funny to see the pinecones all gathering in the middle of the path. I was thinking how epic it would be if all the young pine trees in the forest were all decked out with Christmas lights - that would be one epic display!
The hill on this forest part is the steepest it gets as the walk has a few hills but they are small and mostly gradual. It's a good walk for kids as there's so much diversity and loads of rabbits to see hopping about everywhere. You do have to watch your footing and the rabbits dig holes eeeeeverywhere!
There were so many young and old pine trees and it's funny to see the pinecones all gathering in the middle of the path. I was thinking how epic it would be if all the young pine trees in the forest were all decked out with Christmas lights - that would be one epic display!
The hill on this forest part is the steepest it gets as the walk has a few hills but they are small and mostly gradual. It's a good walk for kids as there's so much diversity and loads of rabbits to see hopping about everywhere. You do have to watch your footing and the rabbits dig holes eeeeeverywhere!
We stayed just behind those trees - a forest on your backdoor step!
Lupiiiiiins!
We Got Lost
When I first did the track, I didn't see the arrow pointing straight ahead, once I had come up the big hill, so I ended up going right (even that forked into 3 different directions!) and I was gob smacked with the number of incredible lupins I came across! We had seen a huge lupin field as we drove into Tekapo on our first day and I thought that was the only place in the area with a massive number of lupins, but I was wrong!
If you are in Tekapo in the spring between November and December, you will even be able to enjoy endless fields of lupine in full bloom and it is truly a sight to see. Weirdly enough, we never saw any bees on them, but this was great for us to get close to take photos and for the girls to run amongst them.
We came to this point a few times when we spent our month in Tekapo, as it was so peaceful and nice to chill by the beautiful lupins and we never saw a soul, just a few bunnies scattering out of the lupins when the dog was chasing them.
If you are in Tekapo in the spring between November and December, you will even be able to enjoy endless fields of lupine in full bloom and it is truly a sight to see. Weirdly enough, we never saw any bees on them, but this was great for us to get close to take photos and for the girls to run amongst them.
We came to this point a few times when we spent our month in Tekapo, as it was so peaceful and nice to chill by the beautiful lupins and we never saw a soul, just a few bunnies scattering out of the lupins when the dog was chasing them.
The layers of colour in this shot are beautiful
The best time to see the lupins in full bloom is early December
Sienna had so much fun running through the lupins
A Sea Of Rainbow
The lupins were like a sea of rainbow and stood out amongst all the green. There were so many colours and we especially loved the two-toned lupins as well as the sunset shade.
They were so vibrant in early December and we noticed by the end of December how much the colour was fading which was a shame as they were just incredible and we wanted them to stay out forever! Well, for as long as we were in Tekapo anyway.
They were so vibrant in early December and we noticed by the end of December how much the colour was fading which was a shame as they were just incredible and we wanted them to stay out forever! Well, for as long as we were in Tekapo anyway.
These sunset lupins were my favourite of all
Tekapo in summer is a photographer's paradise
Yes, you're gonna see a million lupins in my photos from Tekapo!
Let's Get Back On Track
Back to the actual track... we got a bit side tracked there... get it? Do ya, do ya? It's an ocean of vibrant young pine trees with lupins scattered around and of course plenty of bunny poo!
If you look back on this track, you'll get a great view of the Southern Alps with their snowy tops! It felt a bit like being in Canada (not that we've been!!) with all the pine trees and the snowy mountains.
If you look back on this track, you'll get a great view of the Southern Alps with their snowy tops! It felt a bit like being in Canada (not that we've been!!) with all the pine trees and the snowy mountains.
Don't forget to keep turning around to see if you can see the snowy topped mountains
The pine trees were never ending
Can you spot the bunny?
Another Lupin Surprise!
Imagine our surprise when we came upon ANOTHER lupin field, this time even more lupins than the last! We noticed how dull the lupins were becoming and they were duller in this area than the ones nearer our house. We're just so thankful we discovered them in full bloom and full vibrancy - Dec is definitely the best time to visit Tekapo!
Yes, MORE lupins! Yipeeeee!
You'll also find lupins scattered all around Lake Tekapo and even at Lake Pukaki
I wish I had a higher viewpoint to view these from
The track is pretty easy and most abilities will be able to do it
Brown Forest Noodles
The next part of the track took us through tall pine trees and it was nice to have some shade away from the hot sun. It was around 7:30pm when we got to the tarns and it was super-hot still. We wanted to do the track in the evening when it was cooler but really, we needed to do it around 9pm! But we had said to the girls it's bed time, so do you want to go to bed or do you want to go for a walk? Walk for the win!
Some of the pine trees had funny brown noodles hanging off them which we thought was hilarious! Yes, thank you Captain Obvious, we know they aren't really noodles...
Some of the pine trees had funny brown noodles hanging off them which we thought was hilarious! Yes, thank you Captain Obvious, we know they aren't really noodles...
Make a wish
It's crazy how hot it still was at 7:30pm
Tree roots creeping along the path
Brown tree noodles
What An Unexpected View!
The open fields and tarns were a sight for sore eyes!! We weren't expecting such an open area with so much space to run around in. It was definitely one of those wow moments in a cool but unexpected way.
The tarns would make epic places to photograph in the cooler months when they are filled up higher as on a still day, you'd get amazing reflections in them!
The track was a dirt track, worn from walkers and there was one small wooden bridge to cross over when the ponds are higher.
We saw a few birds in the tarns - mainly ducks and there were a few others, but we couldn't get close enough to them to see what they were.
The tarns would make epic places to photograph in the cooler months when they are filled up higher as on a still day, you'd get amazing reflections in them!
The track was a dirt track, worn from walkers and there was one small wooden bridge to cross over when the ponds are higher.
We saw a few birds in the tarns - mainly ducks and there were a few others, but we couldn't get close enough to them to see what they were.
The only way across the fence
There is so much beautiful open space on this part of the walk
When the tarns are fuller, you'd get a beautiful reflection of the hills in them
The wind can whip around in this area so be sure to take a jacket on cooler days
Looking across to Mt John
Views For Days Of Lake Tekapo
Ohhh Lake Tekapo, you never disappoint! Ok, you do on cloudy days as you just look grey, but on this particular day you were very impressive!
The lake wasn't as blue because it was evening and the sun was slowly making its way downtown, but it was still a nice shade of blue and the snowcapped mountains are always a treat to look at.
From up here we could see where we had been swimming in the lake that day and where we had walked around the summit of St John that morning.
The lake wasn't as blue because it was evening and the sun was slowly making its way downtown, but it was still a nice shade of blue and the snowcapped mountains are always a treat to look at.
From up here we could see where we had been swimming in the lake that day and where we had walked around the summit of St John that morning.
If you have a DSLR camera, take your long lense up to get some great shots of the mountains around Lake Tekapo
View of the Tekapo township
I thought this hazy cloud was pretty fascinating
The grasses in the hills were a beautiful golden brown
They See Me Rollin', They Hatin'
The mountains to the right of Lake Tekapo were just as impressed to look at - some were clear, others had clouds lingering near them and some had waves of fog rolling down them which was so beautiful to look at.
This viewpoint had 360-degree views and even though we weren't as high up as Mt John, it was still very impressive and well worth the walk.
This viewpoint had 360-degree views and even though we weren't as high up as Mt John, it was still very impressive and well worth the walk.
This mountain always seems to have the fog rolling down it. It's a beautiful sight!
The viewpoint on the track would be a beautiful place to watch the sunrise or sunset
Mountains, mountains and more mountains
You can turn back once you get to the viewpoint, or continue back down to the town
A chair to enjoy the view
A Very Peaceful Place
We had a nice time chilling up on the bench and in the grass while Niko the dog ran around sniffing out rabbits. It's a really peaceful place up there and it's not a popular walking track so if you're into enjoying great views without having to share the area with anyone then Cullens Hill is the place for you!! Of course, we can't guarantee you'll not see anyone, but it's definitely not overrun with tourists, even in peak seasons.
We spotted the big lupin field, just before you get into Tekapo and from up there we realised just how many lupins there are in there.
We spotted the big lupin field, just before you get into Tekapo and from up there we realised just how many lupins there are in there.
A photographer in the making and a million random snaps in my phone
Beautiful Niko we were looking after in Tekapo
This is what you get at the end of a long day when you ask to take a photo of them lol
The giant lupin field at the start of Tekapo
Secret Huts
eOne day Sienna and I went into the forest to take the dog for a walk but it was toooo hot, so we went into the shade and decided to explore a new part of the forest and that's how we discovered the huts. It was such an awesome find!
We spent hoooours at the huts over the 4 weeks we were in Tekapo (as it was a 30-second walk from our house) and the girls loved pretending the huts were their fish and chip shop as they found a saucepan in one of the huts and that sparked their imagination. They were super creative and would sprinkle pine needles on pinecones and then shake them on sticks which was them shaking salt and pepper on hot chips. They even created and painted a menu for us to order from - so cute!
We loved going to the river beside the huts but BEWARE if you hear a siren and you're at the river, you'll have around 5 to 10-minutes to get out before the dam opens and the water will come through from Lake Tekapo. Either that or it's the fire service siren but that usually goes off around 10 times in a row.
We found so many cool gemstones at the river and the water is so crystal clear that they're easy to spot! This whole area is such an epic playground for kids and is also a peaceful place for the parents.
To get to the huts, head to the right of the bench seat before you head into the forest. You'll come to a wire fence, step over it and you'll find yourself on a well-worn path. Follow that for 20 seconds and you'll see the huts.
We spent hoooours at the huts over the 4 weeks we were in Tekapo (as it was a 30-second walk from our house) and the girls loved pretending the huts were their fish and chip shop as they found a saucepan in one of the huts and that sparked their imagination. They were super creative and would sprinkle pine needles on pinecones and then shake them on sticks which was them shaking salt and pepper on hot chips. They even created and painted a menu for us to order from - so cute!
We loved going to the river beside the huts but BEWARE if you hear a siren and you're at the river, you'll have around 5 to 10-minutes to get out before the dam opens and the water will come through from Lake Tekapo. Either that or it's the fire service siren but that usually goes off around 10 times in a row.
We found so many cool gemstones at the river and the water is so crystal clear that they're easy to spot! This whole area is such an epic playground for kids and is also a peaceful place for the parents.
To get to the huts, head to the right of the bench seat before you head into the forest. You'll come to a wire fence, step over it and you'll find yourself on a well-worn path. Follow that for 20 seconds and you'll see the huts.
The water is crystal clear which makes finding gemstones easy peasy
Know Before You Go
- The track is shared with mountain bikers so keep an ear out and share the path
- The track is not suitable for prams
- Dogs are allowed on this track
- It can get a bit windy on the tarns so be sure to take a warm jacket on cooler days
- The lupins are in bloom November/December
Mappy McMap Face
Getting There
The beginning of the track starts at the Lake Tekapo Bridge and it is well sign posted. You will need to park either in the town, down one of the side streets or down by the Church of the Good Shepherd which is on the street opposite the track.
Conclusion
This track is such a gem in Tekapo. It's a super quiet track, we only ever saw 1 person while we were on our walks! The views at the top are just beautiful and it's pretty cool walking through forest to end up in the open with incredible views. If you're visiting in the right times in November or December, you'll see masses of lupins which are so beautiful
Gallery of Cowans Hill Walkway
Check out the rest of the awesomeness that didn't make it to the main blog but deserves to be shown.
More to do in the South Island
LAKE TEKAPO
CANTERBURY An absolute paradise in the South Island where you can throw rocks, swim in the (cold, glacial) water and soak up the mountain views.
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WHITES BAY BEACH
MARLBOROUGH The perfect beach for swimming and taking in the most incredible views from the cliffs. The drive here is just as breath-taking!
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MT JOHN
CANTERBURY Mt John offers one of the best views in NZ. Walk around the summit or have a coffee at the cafe. Prepare to say WOW!
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