Hostel · Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park
8.5
407 reviewsBudget cabins and powered sites for campervans.
- Dorm bed
- NZ$35–55
- Wi-Fi
Lake Tekapo
South Island · New Zealand
Common stamp · 25 km circle
Stamp Lake Tekapo
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- A day
- ~NZ$115
- Best
- Oct–May
- Dorms from
- NZ$35
Off the beaten track
Why Lake Tekapo
- World-class stargazing in the largest Gold-rated Dark Sky Reserve on earth
- Stunning turquoise glacial lake with Southern Alps backdrop
- Iconic Church of the Good Shepherd (one of NZ's most photographed spots)
Lake Tekapo is a small village on the shores of a glacial lake whose impossibly turquoise water reflects the surrounding Southern Alps. The area is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve — the largest dark sky reserve in the world and the first to receive Gold status from the International Dark Sky Association. Whether you come for the stars, the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, or the lupins that carpet the lakeshore in November-December, Lake Tekapo is one of the most photogenic stops in New Zealand.
A day in Lake Tekapo
- Hostel dorm
- NZ$56
- Food
- NZ$25
- Transport
- NZ$6
- Activities
- NZ$56
- About a day
- NZ$115
Where to stay in Lake Tekapo
Tap a hostel for the details, or + Plan to save it for the planner.
- Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park
8.5 · NZ$35–55 dorm · budget cabins and powered sites for campervans
- Tailor Made Tekapo Backpackers
7.9 · NZ$35–55 dorm · excellent ratings, 3 minutes from town centre, free tennis and basketball courts
- Haka House Lake Tekapo
7.2 · NZ$35–55 dorm · modern rooms, female-only dorms available, communal kitchen with mountain views
- Lake Tekapo YHA
7.1 · NZ$35–55 dorm · chain hostel with reliable facilities and lake views
Hostel · Lake Tekapo
Tailor Made Tekapo Backpackers
7.9
332 reviewsExcellent ratings, 3 minutes from town centre, free tennis and basketball courts.
- Dorm bed
- NZ$35–55
- Wi-Fi
Hostel · Lake Tekapo
Haka House Lake Tekapo
7.2
350 reviewsModern rooms, female-only dorms available, communal kitchen with mountain views.
- Dorm bed
- NZ$35–55
- Wi-Fi
- Kitchen
- Female dorm
Hostel · Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo YHA
7.1
493 reviewsChain hostel with reliable facilities and lake views.
- Dorm bed
- NZ$35–55
- Wi-Fi
Things to do in Lake Tekapo
Tap one to see it, or + Plan to add it to your trip.
Food · Lake Tekapo
Day trip to Aoraki/Mount Cook and hike the Hooker Valley Track
Day trip to Aoraki/Mount Cook and hike the Hooker Valley Track (3 hours return, free, one of NZ's best short hikes)
Tours · Lake Tekapo
Photograph the Church of the Good Shepherd at sunrise or sunset
Photograph the Church of the Good Shepherd at sunrise or sunset (free; arrive early to avoid crowds)
Tours · Lake Tekapo
See the lupins in bloom along the lakeshore
See the lupins in bloom along the lakeshore (November-December only)
Tours · Lake Tekapo
Soak in Tekapo Springs hot pools with mountain views
Soak in Tekapo Springs hot pools with mountain views ($28 NZD; add stargazing combo for $75 NZD)
- Price
- NZ$28
Tours · Lake Tekapo
Stargaze at the Dark Sky Reserve
Stargaze at the Dark Sky Reserve (free with naked eye; guided tours at Mt John Observatory from $90 NZD with Dark Sky Project)
- Price
- NZ$90
Nature · Lake Tekapo
Walk to the summit of Mt John for 360-degree views of the lake and mountains
Walk to the summit of Mt John for 360-degree views of the lake and mountains (1.5 hours return, free)
Getting to Lake Tekapo
No transport routes listed for Lake Tekapo yet.
Getting here in fullComing soon · The Lake Tekapo wall
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