New Zealand’s first summer tube ride opens at Alpine Springs

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Alpine Springs in Lake Tekapo has recently opened the country’s first summer tubing facility at the Alpine Springs Hot Pools and Day Spa complex on the shores of Lake Tekapo in the Mackenzie Country. 

Riders use the winter snow tubes, but the base of the tubes are reinforced for use on the artificial matting. There is an existing Magic Carpet conveyor lift to take people quickly up to the top of the 150 metre slope.

The facility has been installed on the winter snow tube park on the lower slopes of Mount John. It uses synthetic carpet with the same slippery properties as snow, and curves, corners and slopes on the thrilling ride-on-gravity.

Summer Tube Alpine Springs 2 1024x681 New Zealand’s first summer tube ride opens at Alpine Springs

Cathy Hemsworth, Business Development Manager for Alpine Springs, said summer tubing had proved so popular in Europe and North America that 500 facilities had been installed in just a few years.
“It’s become a real craze and we’re delighted to be the first in New Zealand to offer such a great summer adventure ride that’s safe for all the family.  They are incredibly popular in Europe where they’re operating in urban and rural settings,” Cathy  tells us.

“The summer tube experience will add to the roller and blade skating attractions and the three hot pools we offer, . I’m sure it’ll be a very popular combo for families here and there will be a lot of younger people who will want to tube and talk about it on their social networks.”

“Tubers get the thrills and spills of an exciting downhill ride in a safe environment, and as operators, it means we can use the same slope and conveyor lift for both winter and summer rides.”

Summer Tube Alpine Springs New Zealand’s first summer tube ride opens at Alpine Springs

Lake Tekapo Fishing Competition

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Once again the Lake Tekapo Fishing Competition will be held on the 17th March 2012. For a number of years, this highly popular event has been an attraction on the blue green waters of the lake. For more detail follow the links  to the official poster advertisment or the
Entry Form

Now, I know this is a few months away but you need to start planning a relaxing weekend off for the Lake Tekapo Fishing Competition on the 17th March followed by the NZ MADE Fete on the 18th March,  two great events to encourage people to visit beautiful Lake Tekapo. Perhaps you might choose to even stay the night. Theres plenty of accommodation to suit all budgets and lots of lovely Cafes to choose from too!

Bluewater Lake Tekapo Fishing Competition

Its Lupine Time Again !

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Once again the beautifully colourful Russell Lupines are starting to bloom in the Mackenzie.

The roadsides and unattended areas become covered in a thick carpet of this beautiful plant. The best bloom from mid-November until January and cover the country side and lake shore with a luxurious sea of colour.

Lupin Time tekapo Its Lupine Time Again !

Russell lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) is an exotic plant that can grow up to 1.5 metres. It is a perennial species; i.e. it flowers and sets seed in the summer, dies back to the stem base over winter, to re-emerge the following summer.

Russell lupines produce long, colourful flower heads. The flowers are pea-like and come in a variety of colours; blue, purple, orange, yellow, pink, white or a mixture of two colours.

The leaves, divided into green leaflets, are splayed out like fingers on a hand. Stout seedpods are produced that explode in the summer heat, releasing many dark brown seeds.
Although Russell lupines are beautiful to look at, they can be an aggressive weed. Of particular concern is the invasion of Russell lupines into Canterbury’s braided riverbeds, and the impacts they have on these ecosystems.

Around Tekapo they have become a tradition, drawing visitors from far and wide, so in the local area they are  not been seen as a weed but rather an attraction to the many visitors to the area at this time of the year.

lupin0003b Its Lupine Time Again !

The Spring Weather In Tekapo

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With the new Sundial started in Lake Tekapo, we were hoping for a good run of weather, but it wasn’t to be. With a late 30cm fall of spring snow, and a lot of rain, progress slowed , but not stopped.
As you can see below, we now have the excavation finished. The next phase will be to set a circle of poles around the circumference,  then we can start building  some materials into place.

Lake Tekapo Untouched The Spring Weather In TekapoA few days later,  and everything has dried out. Now the construction can begin, and the first poles that will  protect the Sundial from motor traffic can be put in place.

Sundial Poles Tekapo Domain The Spring Weather In Tekapo

Lake Tekapo New Zealand Made Fete

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The 4th Annual Lake Tekapo NZ Made Fete is on its way. Sunday 18th March 2012 is the date. This year the theme is 100% New Zealand Made.  High quality,New Zealand made arts, crafts, jewellery, clothing, recycled wooden furniture, mosaics, candles, photos blocks, chocolates, stone works, wrought iron, plus native plants & grasses, rhododendrons & peonies and much more! Over 60 stalls to choose from!

Sushi from Kohan, BBQ lunches, Mexican, Gourmet meats, cheeses, freshly baked breads & muffins & freshly made sandwiches, wonderful Coffee, Mr Whippy, Wines from Point Bush Estate, Organic beer from The Green Man & musical entertainment from the infamous The vaguely Familiars all combines for another great day out in the Mackenzie.

Fete at Lake Tekapo Lake Tekapo New Zealand Made Fete

The project that we are fundraising for is to renovate & upgrade theTekapoPrimary School/ Community Pool complex. This will take a lot of time & energy as well as money. So far the Fete has raised $8500 for this project which is a great achievement. This is a community effort as without the wonderful support of our local businesses and Lions Club this event wouldn’t happen. The school has arranged a free entertainment area for children with a bouncy castle, toys and face painting.

There is something for everyone. Come along and listen to the music, enjoy a glass of wine, nibble at the wonderful array of local food and browse the many stalls, all to support a great cause; our school.  See you there!!

Tekapo Fete Lake Tekapo New Zealand Made Fete

If you are interested to display or sell something at the Fete, your can download the Terms and Conditions  here. If you would like to register, the form can be downloaded here.