Lake Tekapo and the other lakes in the Mackenzie Country are a wonderful opaque turquoise colour, the result of glacier-ground rock sediment in the water. The township at the lake’s edge knows how to look after visitors; it has a choice of cafes and several souvenir shops. The exquisite Church of the Good Shepherd is possibly the most photographed church in New Zealand - its altar window perfectly frames Mount Cook. Another photographic opportunity is the sheepdog memorial, which pays tribute to the role of dogs in high country farming. Make the most of the fresh, alpine air on the Lake Tekapo Walkway. On a clear night, you can watch the stars at Mt John Observatory.
Functional facts: Approx. population 300, food store, fuel.