The Church of the Good Shepherd has become one of those classic Lake Tekapo photo spots, and it’s easy to see why. Perched right by the lake with the mountains behind it, the view’s pretty cute, especially at sunrise or sunset when the light hits just right.

It was built back in 1935 as a tribute to the early settlers of the Mackenzie region, and it’s still used for small services and weddings. These days it gets a steady stream of tourists, but even with the crowds, it’s worth a stop. The church itself is tiny and simple, built from local stone, and it’s got a peaceful vibe to it if you catch it during a quiet moment.

If you're visiting between mid-November and early December, you'll see the lupins blooming all around the lake, making the whole place look even more magical. Outside of lupin season, the rocky shoreline still has its charm, with loads of little rock stacks that people have built over time.

Lupins flowers add so much magic to the South Island. From mid-to-late November through to early January, you’ll see them popping up in purples, pinks, blues, and the occasional yellow and white. They grow wild all over and around Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Twizel, the Lindis Pass, and even near Queenstown and Glenorchy.

I was so gutted to miss them during my NZ travels since I was still up north when they were in full bloom. But funnily enough, I just visited Norway as I’m writing this, and I saw them everywhere there. Wasn’t expecting it at all, it was such a cool surprise and made me even more keen to see them back here properly one day.

If you’re in NZ during late spring or early summer, definitely keep an eye out for them. Even roadside spots turn into photo-worthy scenes. Just remember to be respectful don’t trample through the flowers.

Lake Tekapo is one of those lakes that actually lives up to the hype. The colour’s this unreal milky turquoise thanks to glacial silt, and with the mountains behind it, the whole place feels pretty peaceful. It’s a great spot to just sit by the water and take it all in, especially early in the morning or late in the arvo when it’s a bit quieter.

If you're here around late spring, the lupins bloom all along the edge of the lake and add a splash of colour, which is always a nice surprise. On a still day, the reflections are spot on, too.

It’s also one of the best lakes in the country for stargazing since it's part of a Dark Sky Reserve. If the sky’s clear and you’re away from the lights, you’ll see more stars than you probably ever have.

This is a sweet little trail that’s totally manageable for most fitness levels and gives you those classic Lake Tekapo views, bright turquoise water, snow-capped mountains, and wide open skies.

The Mt John Summit Circuit is about 5.5 km long and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. There are a few steep sections, but nothing too crazy. It’s a moderate loop and definitely family-friendly if you’re all up for a bit of a climb.

The track starts at the Tekapo Springs carpark, and I highly recommend doing it clockwise. That way, you get the uphill done early while you’re fresh, walking through a bit of bush before climbing up to the summit of Mt John. Once you’re up top, the views are unreal. You’ve got the whole lake laid out below you, mountain ranges in the distance, and even a little café at the top if you want to grab a snack or coffee (check opening hours though).

The way back down loops around along the lakeside, so instead of huffing and puffing your way up staring at the sun, you’re cruising down with those lake views in front of you the whole way. Way nicer.

If hiking’s not your thing or you're short on time, you can actually drive up to the summit too, but I reckon the walk makes it feel more rewarding.

Tekapo Springs is a pretty chill spot if you’re looking to relax while you’re in Lake Tekapo. There are three hot pools with views over the lake and mountains, plus a steam room, cold plunge, and a small kids’ play area. In winter, they set up an ice rink and snow tubing as well.

Entry is $39 for an adult day pass, and the good thing is, you can come and go as much as you like as long as you keep your wristband on. I’d recommend heading in for a soak in the morning, going off to explore town or do a walk, then popping back in later in the arvo. Bit more bang for your buck that way.

They also do massages and spa treatments if you're keen to treat yourself, but even just soaking in the pools is a great way to unwind after a hike or a big day of driving.

Such a solid free camp if you’re heading into Aoraki/Mt Cook the next day or just need a break near Twizel. It’s down a short gravel road, but nothing too gnarly, totally fine for vans. Out of all the freedom spots around here, this was the only one where I actually had decent phone reception, which was a win. There’s heaps of space right near the water with some nice views, especially at sunset.