Top Lake Tekapo Half-Day Tours: See the Best in a Few Hours

Lake Tekapo, is that place very much like something out of a postcard, is very, very popular for a reason, that reason could be its unreal blue water and stunning mountain views, that does draw people from all around. If you’re just passing through or maybe you only have a limited amount of time, not to worry, ’cause there are some really great half-day tours that can pack a whole bunch of the top spots into just a few hours. I found some tours there, you know, ’cause I did want to squeeze as much as I could into my short visit, and it’s almost I’m very excited to share some really outstanding tours with you.

1. Tekapo Highlights Tour: A Quick Look at the Best Spots

The “Tekapo Highlights Tour,” more or less, is just that, a tour packed with highlights. The tour I selected aimed to cover most if not all of the must-see spots around the lake, it seems. Now, a bit like any highlights reel, that sort of does try to give you the very best bits without eating up your whole day.

First off, so we went to the Church of the Good Shepherd, of course; I guess you can’t miss that. It is an icon sitting right on the lakefront, yet it is really as pretty as everyone says it is. I found it pretty interesting that this very spot has such a long history, yet the tour guide that I found told us a few neat stories about the church and also the area. Plus, so, we had a few minutes to snap some photos, yet I will tell you, getting a photo without too many other tourists in it is certainly a challenge.

After the church, arguably the tour brought us up to the Mount John Observatory. The views from up there were so awesome. We could see the lake and also the mountains, and our tour guide, a man by the name of John, he was excellent; he had all these amazing things that he would point out about the stars and planets, I did enjoy his stories, so that, too, that made it more than just scenery; that made the tour genuinely more meaningful. We went there because it seemed like the right place for pictures, maybe that’s where you would want to be if you enjoy nature photos like your tour guide does. The “Tekapo Highlighs Tour” seems popular. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Tekapo Highlights Tour)

2. Stargazing Tour: See the Night Sky

Lake Tekapo is actually famous, like literally, for its night sky, yet it has been named a Dark Sky Reserve, more or less meaning there is little to no light pollution, so that stars really shine in all their glory. Because of my curiousity with Lake Tekapo and it’s spectacular array of space, the “Stargazing Tour” did feel like such a must, I’m still smiling about my decision to do this, which took us, yet you can imagine, into the night to explore the constellations and the planets.

Now, for this kind of tour, of course, a good guide that I had made all the difference. Very much similarly to the tour earlier in the day, the guide did have this cool laser pointer and yet he knew all these facts about the stars, like that of your friendly local librarian. You actually learn so many interesting things on my tour, plus, anyway, so, gazing through their telescopes actually brought it all even closer, that is pretty much something you’ll remember for quite a long time. Anyway I will tell you, that night time can get a bit chilly, even during summertime, so it is advisable to dress warmly, and you are good to go. To summarize, If the night sky is more or less your thing, you can sign up for the “Stargazing Tour.” See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Lake Tekapo Stargazing)

3. Lake Tekapo Scenic Flight: The bird’s-eye view

Want an absolutely amazing, breathtaking view, like honestly a once-in-lifetime one, yet you’ve only got a few hours to kill, well it is almost like the “Lake Tekapo Scenic Flight” might just be that kind of answer. Because this gives you a spectacular, like a true panoramic look at the lake and also the surrounding Southern Alps. This does mean you might very well see those very vibrant turquoise waters, yet you’ll view those snow-capped mountains from up high in the sky. It will certainly give you a totally different viewpoint of Tekapo, almost as a treat for a break from standard land based exploring.

The small plane that I had was actually very comfortable, and the pilot, arguably the pilot did point out interesting landmarks. If you get a window seat, too, the photographic opportunities are absolutely spectacular. Yet it could be good to note that some of these flights can be fairly sensitive to weather, very much similar to how those weather apps you find are sometimes fairly accurate or just wrong, you know, so it may not be such a bad idea to always confirm weather conditions right before you fly. Lake Tekapo Scenic Flight gives you the biggest view! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Scenic Flight)

4. Hot Springs and Lakeside Relaxation

Want something kinda relaxing, more or less, with great views? Of course you do! Then, so the “Hot Springs and Lakeside Relaxation” package, very similar to soaking yourself and feeling like something brand new, very well may be just the right fit. You see, Lake Tekapo actually has several hot spring spots where you, yet you can unwind while overlooking the lake and that mountainous scenery.

That feeling, arguably feeling so chill in those warm waters as I looked out over that fantastic view, there is almost nothing quite like that. Because the package that I enjoyed often has, more or less, some spa services you can try, almost kind of an additional level of pampering. I’m sure that if that isn’t your thing, the setting here at the springs are ideal enough just to sit and read something quietly or maybe even just take a restorative nap, too, in the warm water after a day exploring. So basically, after an eventful sight seeing or doing activities, “Hot Springs and Lakeside Relaxation” will soothe you up, or just go sightseeing. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Tekapo Hot Springs)

5. Mackenzie Basin Farm Tour

Maybe you love scenery, the next thing to nature is perhaps a peek inside what those country landscapes are built upon. Well so the “Mackenzie Basin Farm Tour” may provide that great and unique contrast to a bit of your other sightseeing on tour, I mean if farms are your thing. I picked a tour myself, which showed us all some sheep farms; of course the farm tour did take place within the Mackenzie Basin and not only did we get up close with sheep, yet also got to see how a real New Zealand farm really runs, is that true? In the end I came away with something that made it an experience very worth my while.

A great and very funny thing of this kind of thing is when the farmer tells us stories. They told us how things run. So, a real experience, like something very up close. Like me. Then I met all these dogs that do herd animals! You would like a close encounter on sheep and other farm life then I’m pretty sure “Mackenzie Basin Farm Tour” will not be a let down. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Farm Tour)

For a truly memorable Lake Tekapo tour, consider the scenic landscapes and experiences that each has to offer; a good balance of relaxation, exploring and the tour’s storytelling with it all made my visit really something.

Read our full review: Lake Tekapo Full Review and Details