Lake Tekapo



A highland lake in the middle of New Zealand’s south island, Lake Tekapo is best known for its incredibly clear skies that are perfect for stargazing. However, visitors also come for hiking, boating, mountain biking and windsurfing on the water.
Overlapping with the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is New Zealand’s only International Dark Sky Reserve and the largest such reserve in the world, the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. With almost no light pollution here whatsoever (settlements are few and far between), it’s a spectacular place to stargaze. Stargazing from open-air hot springs is also offered.
Lake Tekapo itineraries

New Zealand Lord of the Rings route
Head into Mordor, explore Isengard and chill out in Hobbiton
19 days From £10,900 pp


North to south white knuckle
Epic adventures from North to South Island
20 days From NZ$6,499 pp