In many ways Lake Tekapo village, on the shore of the country’s highest large lake (710m above sea level), is in essence the ‘spiritual’ centre of the Mackenzie Country.  Its popular landmark, the pretty stone Church of the Good Shepherd, has been host to thousands of weddings since its dedication in 1935.  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.”

"Tekapo" is a Maori word meaning night sleeping place (Taka is "sleeping mat" and Po is "night") and Lake Tekapo has the clearest, darkest and most spectacular night sky in New Zealand.  The University of Canterbury operates an observatory on top of Mount John. 

The amazing turquoise blue colour of the lake 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 the unique water colour.  The lake never freezes, and it is connected to the high country power scheme via a canal.  Fishing for rainbow or brown trout is excellent in Lake Tekapo, the canal, and two small adjacent lakes, Lake Alexandrina and Lake McGregor.

Fly fishing the lakes and rivers, skiing and snowboarding, boating and waterskiing, golf, a grand scenic flight around the mountains and glaciers will sharpen your hunger for sampling delightful local cuisine as the twilight deepens behind the mountains.