On the shores of Lake Tekapo - the country's highest large lake (710m above sea level) - is the Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935 as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie Country. The Church offers awe inspiring views of Lake Tekapo and mountains through the alter window and has been host to thousands of weddings since its dedication.

Close by is the bronze statue of a sheepdog, a tribute to the hardy dogs "without the help of which the grazing of this mountain country would be impossible".

In Lake Tekapo you can fly fish the lakes and rivers, ski and snowboard the pristine snow slopes in winter, enjoy a boat cruise, play a round of golf, ice skate in the winter months, relax in the hot pools and indulge in the healthspa, take a horse trek around Mt John, enjoy off-road mountain biking, take a scenic flight over the Mackenzie basin and Aoraki Mt Cook National Park or gaze at the skies above on a starwatching tour at the world famous Mt John Observatory - there's something for everyone.

The amazing turquoise blue colour of Lake Tekapo is created by "rock flour": the glaciers in the headwaters grind the rock into fine dust. These suspended particles in combination with the sunlight create Lake Tekapo's unique water colour.