Canterbury
Mackenzie District
YOU’VE SEEN THIS BEAUTIFUL REGION BEFORE – PROBABLY ON INSTAGRAM FEEDS AND GLOSSY TRAVEL MAGAZINES.
Ohau snowboarder © Ohau Ski Area RIGHT: Red Tarns, Aoraki Mt Cook National Park © Lee Cook
LAKE TEKAPŌ New Zealand’s highest large lake will leave your eyes wide and your mouth ajar. It is sublimely beautiful. It’s also home to one of the country’s most photographed icons: The Church of the Good Shepherd, as well as a seasonal display of bright purple lupin flowers. MT JOHN For superb photos of Lake Tekapō, climb to the top of Mt John via the 90-minute Summit Track, or drive from the village in 15 minutes. There’s a café and observatory up here, too. LAKE TEKAPŌ TOWNSHIP While Lake Tekapō needs little introduction, its namesake village is charming in its own right. With a small flurry of cafés, motels and restaurants, it’s not huge, but it perfectly complements the main attraction.
LAKE TEKAPŌ
CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD If you’re after a starlit pic when the masonry of this perfect little church is doused in moonlight, book a night tour from Lake Tekapō village.
Night Sky
FAIRLIE The farming town of Fairlie marks the beginning of Mackenzie District and sits a mere 30 minutes by car from the Church of the Good Shepherd. Distinctly rural, come winter it doubles as a ski town. LAKE OHAU Phenomenally blue, the views across Lake Ohau are most impressive from Ohau Snow Field. It’s not the largest ski field in Aotearoa, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in charm and smalltown community spirit. LAKE PŪKAKI If you’re looking for something unique, try gliding across Lake Pūkaki on a 40-minute hovercraft excursion.
The Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve is the world’s largest, so the star gazing in the villages of Tekapō, Twizel and Aoraki Mt Cook is incredible. The Mackenzie Region is almost totally free of light pollution and if you’d like to know more about the night sky and galaxies beyond, join a star gazing tour at the Dark Sky Project Observatory in Tekapō.
corruption of takapo ‘sleeping mat’ • 105km NW of Timaru
LAKE TEKAPO COTTAGES
• 8 clean, warm and comfortable self-contained cottages. • Peaceful central location. • Short walk to Lake Tekapo and church. • Free wireless internet in all units. • Sheltered garden setting, with mountain views • Tariff: from $120 (2 persons). 12 Sealy St, Lake Tekapo • P: +64 3 680 6865 www.laketekapocottages.co.nz • E: laketekapocottages@gmail.com
MT DOBSON MOTEL
• Family-friendly motel on main Fairlie (5min) to Tekapo (20min) highway. 5 clean spacious s/c ground-floor units. • Skiing, closest to Mt Dobson, boating, fishing, golf, art and restaurant, takeaways next door. Sleep in. Personal service guaranteed. Free unlimited WiFi. • Tariff: from $105 (2 persons). 768 Fairlie-Tekapo Highway, Kimbell, RD 17 • P: +64 3 685 8819 Res: 0800 546 235 • www.mtdobsonmotel.co.nz
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