Picturesque by day and dazzling by night, Lake Tekapo is part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing.

Lake Tekapo is about three hours drive south-west of Christchurch in the Mackenzie Basin. The township faces north across the remarkable turquoise coloured lake to the mountainous drama of the Southern Alps. Lake Tekapo gets its intense milky-turquoise colour from the fine rock-flour (ground by glaciers) which is suspended in the water.

Lake Tekapo is about three hours drive south-west of Christchurch in the Mackenzie Basin. The township faces north across the remarkable turquoise coloured lake to the mountainous drama of the Southern Alps. Lake Tekapo gets its intense milky-turquoise colour from the fine rock-flour (ground by glaciers) which is suspended in the water.

Opened in 1935 the Church of the Good Shepherd is the sole church in Lake Takapō and continues to be a place of worship for local residents. It was designed by Christchurch architect R.S.D. Harman, based on sketches by a local artist, Esther Hope. 

The builders of the Church were instructed that the site was to be left undisturbed, and that even the matagouri bushes surrounding the building were to remain. Rocks which happened to be on the wall line were not to be removed. The stones for the wall were to be procured from within a radius of five miles of the site, and were to be unchipped and in their natural condition.

The original roof was of wooden shingles, but had to be replaced with the present slates in 1957. The cupboard in the Vestry is made of wood from the Tekapo Bridge, which was demolished in 1954.

The foundation stone was laid by H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester, on January 15th, 1935. The completed Church was dedicated by the Bishop of Christchurch, Dr Campbell West-Watson, on August 3rd, 1935. The Vicar of the Parish at the time was the Rev. W.E.D. Davies, and the architect, Mr R.S.D. Harman.

The Church of the Good Shepherd is interdenominational and services are held regularly throughout the year.

This world-class visitor centre is a 'must-do' activity during your visit to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Entry is free.

The spectacular Aoraki/Mount Cook visitor centre introduces visitors from all over the world to the wonders of the national park. 

The visitor centre building is an attraction in itself, featuring a large picture window looking out to the mountain Aoraki. You can easily spend half a day exploring the artwork collection, interpretation exhibits and watching DVDs about the area.

 

 

Visitor centre services

• Information on the walks, attractions and activities in the park and local environs.
• An intentions system provided for climbers and trampers to sign in when they enter and leave Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
• Great New Zealand retail products available.
• A booking agent for all local tourism activities.

There are no banks at Aoraki/Mount Cook Village but EFTPOS facilities are available. 

In the heart of the South Island the sky is so clear and vast that millions of stars seem to appear right before your eyes.

Unique to the Mackenzie Region, the clear skies found in this part of the world are like nothing else in New Zealand. Very limited light pollution means the views of the night sky seem to stretch on as far as the eye can see.

In 2012, the 4300 square kilometre area was declared the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, with light pollution strictly controlled in the area. It is the largest one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and one of only eight in the world.

Lying long and deep in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is the incredible Tasman Glacier, a terminal ice structure that is the biggest of its kind in New Zealand.

This magnificent glacier is the largest of several in the region that flows towards the Mackenzie Basin from the Southern Alps. With a depth of over 600m, and stretching for 27km, seeing the ever-changing face of the glacier is a once in a life time experience. There are many different ways to see and experience this spectacular glacier.

Settled in its own terminal lake, the 300-500-year-old ice shelf is slowly tearing away, depositing icebergs of all shapes and sizes in to the water. The lake is one of only a few in the world that contains icebergs.

Eventually the glacier will retreat entirely, and the lake will reach its maximum size. In 1973, there was no terminal lake at all, and by 2008 it had grown to 7kms in length.

The upper areas of the glacier are covered with snow, and taking scenic helicopter flight which lands on the top of the glacier is a truly magical experience.

Central to all the attractions of the Mackenzie region, with the Southern Alps as a backdrop, the alpine retreat of Twizel is close to 5 picturesque lakes, including a world-standard rowing course and Formula One class boating area at Lake Ruataniwha.

Twizel is the largest town in the Mackenzie region with a resident population of 1,200 people. With this comes a number of highly rated village cafes and eateries and a full range of services to support your visit.

If fishing is your love and catching salmon, brown or 17kg (37.4lb) rainbow trout is what you dream of then don’t go past any of Twizel’s rivers, lakes or canals.

Twizel is a popular base for those who are interested in rock and mountain climbing, cycling on the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, hunting, boating, or simply relaxing in the town’s cafes.

The town has a rich cultural community and is a favoured destination venue for the Royal New Zealand Ballet. With the community’s and Council’s investment in the new Twizel Events Centre, group, sports and team building activities are superbly catered for with a 200 seat theatre, sports hall, an amazing climbing wall, gym, squash facilities and functions lounge.

Burkes Pass is a tiny historic village nestled at the foot of the pass, well known by Maori as Te Kopi Opihi, and discovered by Europeans in 1855 as a route leading into the vast Mackenzie region. The village was the last outpost of civilization in those days and has remained relatively unchanged since. The early pioneers, who came to graze their sheep in this area, built a tiny wooden church, opened in 1872, now the oldest union church in New Zealand.

 

 

Heritage Walk

You can collect information from the church and wander down a heritage walk leading to the little red Musterer’s hut with its stories of the area, past the Mt Cook Road Board Office built in 1876, the former hotel, old school and several of the sturdy cob cottages built of clay and tussock. If you head up to the cemetery you will visit memories of adventurous Aoraki/Mount Cook mountaineers, run holders and their families, now in a sheltered peaceful place.

 

 

Other Attractions

 

St Patrick’s Church

St Patrick’s Church is a tiny wooden church built in the Burkes Pass Village in 1872 by the first European settlers, to serve the vast Mackenzie region. The church is unusual in that several denominations including Anglican, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic co-operated to create it and it is now thought to be the oldest union church in New Zealand still on it’s original site.

This building was the spark that initiated the formation of The Burkes Pass Heritage Trust by the local community in 2000, to buy the church and secure it for future generations. It became the catalyst for the Trust to become involved in restoration of other heritage buildings and promoting the stories and natural history of the area.

The church is very original and is a category 1 building on the New Zealand Heritage Register. It is open daily to visitors and has local heritage information, memorabilia and artifacts on display. Weddings and other celebrations are very welcome.

 

Musterer’s Hut

This cute red building in the centre of the village, next to the Gallery, contains a variety of local history, including large print stories in the old Hut Book, a pin board of old photos and information, and artifacts from the district in a typical back country hut setting. It is complete with old saddlery, cast iron hut stove and old sack bunks and is open daily for visitors.

 

Stone Water Trough

This large limestone water trough has been a landmark on the road verge in Burkes Pass for many years and is a reminder of the early days of transport by horse and bullock when travel to and from the Pass was thirsty work. It was probably originally situated near Tom Winter’s blacksmith’s shop and the livery stable next door and can now be seen under a shelter beside the Musterer’s Hut.

 

Burkes Pass Historic Cemetery

In this tranquil and majestic area surrounded by mature oak trees, lie the graves of early Mackenzie settlers and their families, more recent residents, as well as Aoraki/Mount Cook mountaineers and travelers. This place is redolent with their stories, much of which is only hinted at on their headstones. The cemetery is well kept and sheltered in a magnificent setting and often used as a picnic spot.

 

The Burke Memorial and Mackenzie Memorial

At the top of Burkes Pass, is a tall rectangular stone memorial standing like a sentinel. It is set back off the highway with an adjacent parking area. Erected in 1917 by T.D. Burnett, M.P. from Mt Cook Station, both as a memorial to Michael John Burke and an encouragement to plant trees. Burke is attributed with discovery of this pass in 1855 as a practical route for travel by bullock wagons and horses to the Mackenzie basin. The only other route via Mackenzie Pass was a much more difficult one.

T.D.Burnett also erected another stone pyramid shaped memorial on Mackenzie Pass, to mark the site where notorious sheep rustler James McKenzie was captured in 1855 after stealing a large mob of sheep from the Levels Station. It was alleged that he had taken sheep through this route and down to Otago previously. Subsequently his discovery of this large inland plain inspired the Mackenzie District to be named after him. This memorial is at the opposite end of the Rollesby Range to Burkes Pass, on the Mackenzie basin side of the pass and can be reached from Burkes Pass via the Rollesby Road or turning off Highway 8 at Dog Kennel Corner and traveling along the Haldon Road.

Nestled in the heart of New Zealand's South Island, Mount Cook National Park stands as a testament to the grandeur of nature. At its centerpiece is Aoraki/Mount Cook, the tallest peak in the Southern Alps, piercing the sky at a staggering 3,724 meters (12,218 feet). This breathtaking alpine wonderland is a haven for adventurers, nature enthusiasts, and seekers of pristine beauty.

The park's dramatic landscapes encompass rugged mountain ranges, glacial-fed lakes, and sprawling glaciers. Its hiking trails, like the iconic Hooker Valley Track, offer jaw-dropping views of this natural masterpiece. As you explore, you'll encounter shimmering glacial lakes, like the stunning Lake Pukaki, reflecting the surrounding snow-capped peaks.

Astronomers flock to Mount Cook National Park for its clear, unpolluted skies, making it a designated International Dark Sky Reserve. Stargazers can witness the universe's wonders against the backdrop of Aoraki's towering silhouette.

For those seeking adventure, the park offers mountaineering, skiing, and thrilling glacier experiences. While native birdwatchers can spot the elusive kea and other endemic species.

Mount Cook National Park isn't just a destination; it's an immersive encounter with nature's magnificence. Whether you're scaling mountain peaks, stargazing under pristine skies, or simply basking in the tranquility of the wilderness, this park promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of New Zealand's alpine paradise.

Nestled deep within the core of New Zealand's awe-inspiring South Island lies an unparalleled adventure, the Tasman Glacier viewpoint. Packed with picturesque vistas that will stay etched in your mind forever, visitors are privy to a 360-degree view of this magnificent glacier housing luminous ice formations and crystal-clear waters. The scenery here is nothing short of spectacular; blanketed under pure white snow peaks sits lush valleys stretching right until it disappears from plain sight- creating an experience unlike any other. Access to the viewpoint can be attained by engaging in a relaxed walk down an established path while admiring picturesque woodlands and fields en route. The expedition is certainly worth undertaking, given that the perspective provided at this vantage point offers an unparalleled understanding of one of humanity's most massive glaciers. For those who are fond of exploring the great outdoors or hold dear to their heart pristine landscapes, it is imperative that they make a pilgrimage to the Tasman Glacier viewpoint. Why not arrange for your visit promptly and allow yourself an opportunity to bask in awe at this magnificent spectacle?