THE PERFECT PLACE TO THAW OUT IN WINTER
11 JULY 2022
You know you've had a good soak when you have wrinkly fingers!
Relax And Unwind
Tekapo Hot Springs is an award-winning complex at the base of Mt John, in the incredible Lake Tekapo area in the South Island, New Zealand. There are 3 steaming hot, well... hot pools to relax in, while soaking up views of Lake Tekapo and the Mackenzie Region. The pool temperatures range from 36.5 - 38.5 degrees celsius, with Tekapo being the hottest pool.
Interesting fact, the pools are shaped and named Ohau, Pukaki and Tekapo, which are the Mackenzie Region's well-known lakes.
After an awesome, yet chilly, morning spent exploring Lake Tekapo, we were really looking forward to having a hot soak at Tekapo Hot Springs. There was plenty of parking when we arrived, which we were worried about as we had our big camper, but found a spot and headed up the long path to the hot springs.
The girls were super excited, as they with pretty much anything to do with water! We saw some lockers there that we could use (they're $3 for 3 hours which is pretty cheap!) but honestly, we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves, so we just carried our gear from pool to pool. There was only 2 or 3 other people at the pools which was pretty cool because we had so much room to play in and it meant that hopping from pool to pool (at Bella's insistence), we didn't disturb lots of people.
Each pool has a bench seat which adds to the relaxation and Sienna really enjoyed walking along it and playing in the waterfall features, which helped us out too because we didn't have to hold her the whole time. She did slip off a couple of times and got a more water than she should have, so that was a bit scary, so we kept her super close.
Interesting fact, the pools are shaped and named Ohau, Pukaki and Tekapo, which are the Mackenzie Region's well-known lakes.
After an awesome, yet chilly, morning spent exploring Lake Tekapo, we were really looking forward to having a hot soak at Tekapo Hot Springs. There was plenty of parking when we arrived, which we were worried about as we had our big camper, but found a spot and headed up the long path to the hot springs.
The girls were super excited, as they with pretty much anything to do with water! We saw some lockers there that we could use (they're $3 for 3 hours which is pretty cheap!) but honestly, we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves, so we just carried our gear from pool to pool. There was only 2 or 3 other people at the pools which was pretty cool because we had so much room to play in and it meant that hopping from pool to pool (at Bella's insistence), we didn't disturb lots of people.
Each pool has a bench seat which adds to the relaxation and Sienna really enjoyed walking along it and playing in the waterfall features, which helped us out too because we didn't have to hold her the whole time. She did slip off a couple of times and got a more water than she should have, so that was a bit scary, so we kept her super close.
It's Going Down, I'm Yelling Timber
On the hill behind us (Mt John), there were pine trees being felled and it was actually really entertaining as we watched them fall (and we were so tempted to yell out TIMBEEEEEEER every time it happened... but we're not those annoying people. Ok, we are, but not this time). The sound of these massive trees hitting the ground was incredible and the dust that was created, combined with the sun shining through, made a beautiful setting.
The changing rooms were very clean and tidy and had lots of bench seats to get changed on. The coolest part were these spinning machines that you put your wet togs into, pressed the button and they spun all the water out of your togs - genius!
Tekapo is the part of the Aoraki Mackenzie international dark sky reserve, which means it is one of the best spots in the world to see the stars (as we witnessed when we were freedom camping at Tekapo) and you can experience these at the hot pools if you go on a clear night! Your tickets allow you multiple entries which means that you can come and go for the day, so you could spend the morning having a soak then go back again at night to have a soak (hopefully) under the stars.
Tekapo Hot springs also offers a spa, sauna, ice skating rink and snow tubing (in winter).
There is a cafe near reception called 720 Cafe & Bar (because it sits 720 meters above sea level) and they offer a full cooked menu including vegetarian and gluten free options, cabinet food and ice creams mmm. They also have a fully licensed bar and really good coffee!
The changing rooms were very clean and tidy and had lots of bench seats to get changed on. The coolest part were these spinning machines that you put your wet togs into, pressed the button and they spun all the water out of your togs - genius!
Tekapo is the part of the Aoraki Mackenzie international dark sky reserve, which means it is one of the best spots in the world to see the stars (as we witnessed when we were freedom camping at Tekapo) and you can experience these at the hot pools if you go on a clear night! Your tickets allow you multiple entries which means that you can come and go for the day, so you could spend the morning having a soak then go back again at night to have a soak (hopefully) under the stars.
Tekapo Hot springs also offers a spa, sauna, ice skating rink and snow tubing (in winter).
There is a cafe near reception called 720 Cafe & Bar (because it sits 720 meters above sea level) and they offer a full cooked menu including vegetarian and gluten free options, cabinet food and ice creams mmm. They also have a fully licensed bar and really good coffee!
The dust created by the felling of the pine trees looked really cool combined with the sun shining through
Fun All Year Round
In summer, the giant inflatable world called Jumpernaut is where the ice-skating rink goes in winter, and it is SO MUCH FUN!!!! There's also a giant water slide! Read all about the Jumpernaut here. Although sometimes it's mini golf, instead of Jumpernaut.
In winter, there's a snow tubing park where you whizz down the hill thinking that at any moment, you'll go flying off the edge! Read all about it here.
In winter, there's a snow tubing park where you whizz down the hill thinking that at any moment, you'll go flying off the edge! Read all about it here.
Know Before You Go
- For updated pricing and opening hours, click here
- You can hire towels here
- There are lockers available for $3 for 3 hours
- There is a cafe and car on site
- They are open Monday - Friday 11am - 7pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 7pm (excluding Christmas Day)
- Mon-Fri 11am-7pm/Sat-Sun 10am-7pm
- There are bench seats in each of the pools
- Make use of the wet tog spinners in the changing rooms!
- There are lifeguards on patrol
Mappy McMap Face
Getting There
300 Lakeside Drive, Lake Tekapo 7945
From State Highway 8, turn into Lakeside Drive and follow the road around Lake Tekapo, until you see the signs for Tekapo Hot Springs.
The Hot Springs are 3 hours from Christchurch, 3 hours from Queenstown and only 8 minutes from the Lake Tekapo town.
From State Highway 8, turn into Lakeside Drive and follow the road around Lake Tekapo, until you see the signs for Tekapo Hot Springs.
The Hot Springs are 3 hours from Christchurch, 3 hours from Queenstown and only 8 minutes from the Lake Tekapo town.
Conclusion
We absolutely loved our time at the Tekapo Hot Springs, a lot of it had to do with the fact that we had so much space to ourselves, but we loved the temperature of the pools and the fact that kids were allowed too (as not all hot spring places in NZ allow kids!) and the pools were within meters of each other. The coffee from the cafe is really good and it's nice to know there's food available if we get hungry. The lockers are super close to the pools which is perfect if you need to grab your phone or drink bottles etc.
More to do in the South Island
OAMARU STEAM TRAIN
CANTERBURY Riding through the historic down of Oamaru was awesome but we had one hell of a surprise right at the end which was amazing!
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HOOKER VALLEY TRACK
MT COOK An easy track for the family to enjoy incredible mountain and lake views all year round. The kids will enjoy crossing the 3 swing bridges.
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COWANS HILL TRACK
CANTERBURY A beautiful and peaceful walk up the back of Tekapo, full of lupins in Nov - Jan if you go down the right track. Great mountain views!
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