Lake Tekapo

Situated just over 200 km south of Christchurch on New Zealand’s fabled South Island, Tekapo and its misty glacial lakes and clear skies makes for a popular tourist destination. The majestic Remarkables mountain range can be seen from across the foggy lake which depicts the start of the Southern Alps. Curiously, the characteristic cloudy appearance of the lake is a result of the process by which the glaciers gradually grind down the surrounding rock, which then is suspended in the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo. 

However, Lake Tekapo's biggest tourist attraction and most significant claim to fame is a result of the impossibly clear skies above it. Walking tracks that follow the contours of the stunning landscape offer access to tourists to gaze up at some of the clearest skies to be seen. The skies are so clear, in fact, that the Mount John Observatory is only a brisk hike away. 

The Church of the Good Shepherd can be found perched upon the banks of Lake Tekapo. Constructed first during the 1930s and has been used since as an active church and regularly holds mass for those interested. Its vintage and aesthetic evocative of a bygone era make it a popular site amongst those looking to liven up their Instagram or to take a scenic picture of the church. While this is welcomed, please be respectful of both the church and its attendants if there is a service of any kind going on. Lupins, which are beautiful lavender-like weeds that look like flowers and make for a lovely view. The town’s connections to shepherds do not finish there however, and a bronze statue of a sheepdog, meant to acknowledge the efforts of the sheepdog is another popular tourist attraction. Tekapo has also recently been known to be the most instagrammed location in New Zealand