If I had to pick the most beautifully located church in the world, Lake Tekapo’s Church of the Good Shepherd would win every time. The church sits right where the Tekapo River meets the lake, framed by snow-capped mountains and bright blue water. It almost looks too perfect to be real.

Built from local stone in 1935, this tiny church has become one of the most photographed places in New Zealand, and it’s not hard to see why. Because it's so popular, it's usually packed with visitors and it can be very hard to get a good view of the church without 20+ other people. If you can manage an early morning, I recommend coming here at sunrise! It's a beautiful time of the day; you'll see the sun streaming over the mountains and get to soak up the magic of the place.

How to get there

The Church of the Good Shepherd is in Lake Tekapo, which is around three hours from Christchurch and Queenstown. Once you arrive in Tekapo, it’s impossible to miss. Head toward the lake, and you’ll find the church on the shoreline. There's plenty of parking available. However, if you plan to be in Lake Tekapo overnight, I recommend staying at Lakes Edge Holiday Park. From here, you can walk to the church in roughly 20 minutes.