Lake Tekapo offers a wide range of world-class recreational pursuits and a unique mix of activities throughout the year. It’s all here, whether it’s tramping, mountain biking, climbing, horse trekking, fishing, hunting, boating, kayaking, scenic flights, star-gazing, skiing, heli-skiing, ski touring, cross-country skiing, ice skating, water-skiing, windsurfing or simply soaking up the spectacular vistas.
Several artists work at Tekapo, testifying to the scenic splendours of the area. The evening light on bare hills, revealing interesting contours and shades, makes for a painter’s or photographer’s paradise. Several mountain bike trails are available, and walking tracks of all difficulty abound, offering truly breathtaking vistas along the way. One of the most popular trails leads to the summit and restaurant on Mt John. The 360 degree panoramic views are breathtaking. The south-eastern corner of Lake Tekapo has been designated a ‘passive area’, where quiet forms of water recreation are encouraged. This area is popular for swimming and young families coming to grips with boating skills. The new Regional Park encloses the water front and offers wonderful running and cycling opportunities.

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Hot Spring’s and Spa’s

Tekapo Springs and Spa

• Address:  On the lake shore at the end of the camping ground road., Lake Tekapo
• Phone: 0800.2353.8283
• Web:  Tekapo Spring’s and spa
• Email:   info@tekaposprings.co.nz

Soak up the hot pools or enjoy the relaxing spa facilities at the Alpine Springs and Spa. Open 7 days 10am to 9pm.

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Cruise Tekapo

• Address:  Lake Tekapo
• Phone:  +64.(0)27.479.7675
• Web:  Cruise Tekapo
• Email:  info@cruisetekapo.co.nz

Cruise Tekapo offers four options to suit your time frame and interests. Cruise times range from 25 mins to 1.5 – 2hrs. Fishing trips by arrangement (by the hour and up to half and full days)

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CYCLING

Alpine Lakes Adventures

• Phone:  +64.(0)3.685.6106
• Mobile:  +64.(0)27.658.6249
• Email:  alpinelakes@xtra.co.nz

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MTB Pursuits

• Phone: +64.(0)3.680.6207
• Email: pete.marg@xtra.co.nz OR info@mtbpursuits.com

Quality Mountain Bike hire and mtb tours by arrangement.

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FISHING

Kiwi Treasures

• Phone:  +64.(0)3.680.6686

Fishing Licenses can be purchased at Kiwi Treasures, in the middle of the village.

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GOLF

Golf Cross

• Address:  Braemar Station, Lake Tekapo
• Phone:  +64.(0)3.680.6844
• Email:  braemarstation@farmside.co.nz

Located in the middle of New Zealand’s most spectacular alpine country, the Braemar Station Golf Cross Course is surrounded by stunning vistas of Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki. Accommodation is provided on site with two delightful self-catering farmstay cottages.

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MacKenzie Golf Club

Address   State Highway 8, Lake Tekapo
Phone:  +64.(0)3.680.6830

The Mackenzie Golf Club operates at the Balmoral Golf Course, New Zealand’s highest 9 hole course. Come and take the challenge!

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MacKenzie Country Mini Golf

• Address:  Village Centre, Lake Tekapo
• Phone:  +64.(0)3.680.6745
• Email:  lynne.frost@xtra.co.nz

Mackenzie themed mini golf course. 18 greens where each represents an icon of the Mackenzie Basin. Open daily from 9 till late. A true test of your golfing skills.

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KAYAKING

Both white water and lake kayaking are available. The lake shore offer miles of kayaking possibilities, and kayaks can be rented from the Lake Shore Backpackers in the camping ground area.
The kayak course maintained by the Tekapo White Water Trust has release dates regularly on the very exciting man made stretch of white water just south of the village, between the Tekapo River, and Lake George.

A list of the dates water will be released through the course can be found by following the link. Water Release Dates

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HIKING AND WANDERING

Alpine Recreation

• Address:  30 Murray Place, Lake Tekapo
• Phone:  +64.(0)3.680.6736
• Web:  Alpine Recreation

Alpine Recreation provides guided treks, ascents, climbing courses and ski touring in the Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park region.

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Walkways from Village

• Phone:  +64.(0)3.680.6686

Including Mt John lookout. Detailed maps are available from the Information Centre and Kiwi Treasures.

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Horse Trekking

MacKenzie Alpine Horse Trekking

• Address:  Godley Peaks Road, Lake Tekapo
• Phone:  0800.628.269
• Web:  MacKenzie Alpine Horse Trekking

Enjoy a horseback ride through the tussock grasslands, glacial lakes & forests of the Mackenzie Country. Choose from a 1,2 or 3.5 hour full fay or overnight trek. Experience breathtaking views of Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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HUNTING

Mount Cook Trophy Hunting Ltd

• Address:  Lake Tekapo
• Phone:  +64.(0)27.341.807
• Web:  Mount Cook Trophy Hunting Ltd
• Email:  contact@mtcooktrophyhunting.co.nz

Experience an exclusive once in a lifetime hunting adventure, accompanied by professional guides, in the prestigious Mount Cook wildlife preserve, which has already yielded world-class trophy species of Tahr, Chamois, Elk, Red Stag, Goat, Alpine Sheep and small game e.g. rabbit and hare.

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Mid Southern Tracks Ltd

• Address:  14 Pioneer Drive, Lake Tekapo
• Phone:  +64.(0)3.680.6774
• Web:  44south

Free range and fair chase hunting for Tahr, Chamois, Red Deer and small game. Many years of experience and exclusive hunting areas ensure a very high success rate! Nature tours with a difference into remote valleys of the Mount Cook region.

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Deer and Wallaby Hunting 

• Phone: +64.(0)27.434.4445

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ICE SKATING

Winter Park – Outdoor Ice Rink

• Address:  Lakeside Drive, Lake Tekapo
• Phone:  0800.2353.8283
• Web:  Alpine Springs
• Email:  info@alpinesprings.co.nz

An artificial outdoor ice rink for public skating, ice hockey & curling. Open May – September.

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SCENIC FLIGHTS

Air Safaris – Mt Cook and Glaciers

• Address:  Village Centre & Airport, Lake Tekapo
• Phone:  0800.806.880
• Phone:+64.(0)3.680.6880
• Web:  Air Safaris

Air Safaris’ Grand Traverse is the recognised premier Mount Cook and Glaciers flight seeing experience. This magnificent 200km round trip from Air Safaris’ Lake Tekapo airport encompasses New Zealand’s most spectacular alpine scenery, highest mountains and largest glaciers.

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Tekapo Helicopters / Heleskiing

• Address:  Village Centre, Lake Tekapo
• Phone:  +64.(0)3.680.6229
• Web:  Tekapo Helicopters

The only helicopter company operating out of Tekapo. Experience the awesome Mount Cook and Glaciers with each flight including a snow-landing. Spectacular scenery with friendly personalised service ensures that this is the trip of a lifetime!

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SIGHTSEEING TOURS

The Cook Connection – Mt Cook Day Trips

• Address:  Lake Tekapo
• Phone:  Free phone 0800.266.526
• Web:  The Cook Connection

Daily service from Lake Tekapo & Twizel to Mount Cook & return. We offer a relaxed, professional transport service with informative commentary, photo opportunities and sight-seeing stops. Plenty of free time in Mt Cook for walks, tours or activities.

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Mt Cook Salmon Farm

• Address:  Canal Road, Twizel
• Phone:  +64.(0)3.435.0085
• Mobile: +64.(0)21.370.038
• Web:  Mt Cook Salmon Farm

The Tekapo Canal is renowned as the source of some of the best quality farmed salmon in the world. Visit the Mt Cook Salmon Farm located just 18 minutes from Tekapo township. Farm tours, feed the fish, and purchase the best fresh and smoked salmon product.

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SKIING

Mount Dobson Skifield

• Address:  State Highway 8 between Fairlie and Tekapo
• Phone:  +64.(0)3.685.8039

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Round Hill Skifield

• Address:  Lilybank Road, Lake Tekapo
• Phone:  Snow report +64.(0)3.680.6977
• Web:  Roundhill Skifield

The family ski area with all day sun, parking beside the slope, hugely productive snow making system, perfectly groomed trails, great ski & board school and rentals department, licensed restaurant and breathtaking views of Mt Cook and the Southern Alps.

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STARGAZING

EARTH AND SKY

• Address:  Village Centre, Lake Tekapo
• Phone:  +64.(0)3.680.6960
• Web:  Earth and Sky
• Email:  info@earthandsky.co.nz

Join us in exploring the wonders of the Southern Sky at the Mt John Observatory high above the breathtaking landscape of Lake Tekapo – where Earth meets Sky. Open daily also, the Astro Cafe on the top of Mt John.

By day it is possible to drive or hike to Mt John for spectacular views.  The walkway begins next to the hot pools on the lake Shore.  The Astro Cafe on the summit provides excellent coffee and refreshments. Day tours of the Research Facility are available. A special experience is the Twilight Tours, the best place to view the changing hues fall across the vast basin as dusk changes to darkness, and watch the stars emerge into dark skies.

The famous Observatory Tour provides a hands-on experience which includes transport, equipment and guidance. Using powerful telescopes to navigate your way around the Southern Sky, you will be shown amazing sights and learn about neighbouring stars and galaxies.

Booking is advised.

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Lake Tekapo Regional Park
Address: The Park can be accessed by car from Lilybank Road or by foot and bicycle from the Lake Tekapo Township along the lake edge or from Cowans Hill.
Nestled on the eastern shore of Lake Tekapo and with a backdrop of the Two Thumb Range, the Lake Tekapo Regional Park offers an array of recreation and leisure opportunities.
More about the park can be found at this post

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Squash

Lake Tekapo Squash Club

• Address:  Village Centre, Lake Tekapo
• Phone: +64.(0)3.680.6739