Lake Tekapo Tours and Activities

Get ready for a hassle-free day of adventures from Christchurch with round-trip transport, and admission tickets included. The trip will showcase scenic viewpoints along the way, such as Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, the Ben Ohau Range, and sites from Lord of the Rings. Avoid long lines at Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre by having admission included. Another highlight is a visit to the Tasman Glacier, and a delicious lunch is included too.

Embark on a journey through time and space with this ticket to the Dark Sky Experience at Lake Tekapo. No need to wait until after dark to admire the night sky at this indoor exhibition which draws on Māori astronomy and recent discoveries to tell the story of our skies. This kid-friendly attraction is ideal for families, with multimedia exhibits and hands-on activities offering something to do for everyone.

A breathtaing scenic 4WD Tour through a stunning alpine braided river valley in Lake Tekapo's Backcountry. The Cass Valley is situated on the western side of Lake Tekapo, offering a world of Natural wonder and beauty. Access to this stunning alpine valley is solely through our private access and expert driver guides. This scenic 4WD Tour encompasses a large block of mountainous country, containing high inherent landscape values of The Mackenzie Country. Travel through pristine rivers and Merino Sheep. The overall naturalness of the rocky steep scree slides, the U-shaped valleys carved by glaciation, waterfalls, glaciers, lateral moraines and tussock- clad terraces, overwhelm the senses and ignite the wonder of such a supremely stunning and unique landscape. An authentic High Country scenic tour awaits you.

Both beginner and keen astronomers will love this behind-the-scenes tour of the Mount John Observatory. You’ll be amazed by how clear the night’s sky can be above New Zealand. Your guide will point out the amazing things you can see with the naked eye, as well as show you the observatory’s telescopes. This is an informative tour suitable for the whole family. Bring your camera so the astrophotographer can take incredible pictures of the sky for you.

See the top sights of the spectacular South Island on a 5-day guided coach tour, round-trip from Christchurch. Stop at Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s tallest mountain; enjoy free time to explore the adventure capital of Queenstown; take a boat cruise on Milford Sound, surrounded by steep rock walls; view Fox and Franz Josef glaciers; and travel by rail through the Southern Alps aboard the scenic TranzAlpine Express. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off, and four nights’ accommodation in Queenstown and Franz Josef.

There’s much more to see in the South Island than what you can get to on the State Highways. This exciting off-road adventure gives you the chance to experience some of what this dramatic landscape has to offer. Drive around the Mackenzie Country for half a day and get exclusive access to back-country stations. Take in dramatic views of landmarks like Lake Pukaki, Mount Tasman and Aoraki Mount Cook, and learn about life on New Zealand’s high-country farming stations from your guide.

Make the most of the pristine night skies over the Mackenzie Basin with this observatory experience tailored for first-time stargazers. Watch the night sky through one of Cowan’s Observatory’s telescopes, finding stars, constellations and other hidden secrets with the help of one of the observatory’s knowledgeable astronomy guides. With discounted tickets for visitors aged 17 and under, this is a great way to introduce children to the wonders of the Milky Way.

Surround yourself with the snow-capped peaks of Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, on this day trip from Christchurch. Travel by coach past the foothills of the Southern Alps to the Canterbury Plains and the MacKenzie Basin; stop at Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukari; and enjoy views of Tasman Glacier. Enjoy lunch at the Hermitage Hotel in UNESCO-listed Mt Cook/Aoraki National Park. Includes round-trip hotel transport by coach with morning and afternoon tea.

Our tours are not only about experiencing the beauty of Aotearoa, they’re about bringing like minded individuals together and creating long-lasting friendships. Everyone’s welcome on an adventure with us, from solo travellers to couples and small groups of friends, we strive to create a safe, comfortable, fun environment while we explore our beautiful country together. Our experienced crew takes care of everything, so all you have to do is show up! From transport to activities, to meals and accommodation, we handpick everything to get the most out of our adventure together! Our dream is that we create an environment everybody feels comfortable in. Singles, couples, friends, so don’t hesitate to come and explore this beautiful country of ours. Explore our beautiful backyard with like-minded individuals. Put down your phone, turn off the TV, and create some long-lasting friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

View Franz Josef Glacier and experience a Milford Sound cruise on this 4-day semi-independent tour of New Zealand's South Island. You’ll travel by coach from Christchurch to Queenstown via the Canterbury Plains, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo, then motor up the west coast to Greymouth before riding the TranzAlpine train on the return to Christchurch. Listen to narration on board as the driver highlights this scenic region from picturesque mountain peaks to deep fiords. Overnight accommodation and round-trip hotel transport are included.

Getting to Aoraki/Mount Cook from Christchurch is half the fun on this private day trip. Get a look at New Zealand’s tallest mountain and dig into a delicious buffet lunch at the Hermitage Hotel. Then take a walk in Mt. Cook National Park or stroll the village during free time. En route, admire gorgeous views from Lake Pukaki and make a stop at the alpine waters of Lake Tekapo.

Visit multiple South Island highlights on this unforgettable 8-day private tour, round-trip from Christchurch. Make the journey from ‘The Garden City’ in a counter-clockwise direction, traveling with ease in your very own luxury vehicle with a private guide at the helm. The route covers Arthur’s Pass, west coast rainforests, Aoraki/Mount Cook and Queenstown, to name a few. Enjoy seven nights’ accommodation including breakfast, entry to the Franz Josef Glacier hot pools and a train ride on the TranzAlpine. Optional activities include helicopter rides and bungy jumps (own expense).

See the highlights of New Zealand's scenic South Island on this 3-day semi-independent tour, round-trip from Christchurch. Traveling by coach and train, you’ll stop in UNESCO-listed Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and Queenstown, travel up the west coast to Franz Josef Glacier, and visit the Gold Rush town of Greymouth, then board the homeward-bound TranzAlpine train across the Southern Alps and past the Canterbury Plains. Listen to informative onboard commentary and enjoy two nights’ accommodation as you explore the sights independently.

Mount Cook (Aoraki) is the highest mountain in New Zealand at 12,218 feet (3,724 meters) and lies surrounded by some of the South Island’s most stunning natural landscapes. On this tour, enjoy magnificent views of Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo, and Lake Pukaki; pose for photos amid fields of lavender (summer season only); and hike through the Mount Cook National Park to see the Tasman Glacier.

Explore the entire South Island in a loop. From the wild and beautiful landscapes of the Far South to the sunny golden shores of the Abel Tasman National Park, you’ve got the South Island covered! You'll see highlights like Milford Sound and Franz Josef glacier, as well as getting off the beaten track and seeing some untouched parts of NZ.

" We do it your way " There will be no rushing around on these trips , just time for you to see things that you have come to see and at your speed .

The Weka Tour will take you on an epic adventure through the South Island. Jaunt around New Zealand’s most scenic Alpine region. Cross the mighty Southern Alps, take in the soaring heights of Mount Cook, get up close to the epic glaciers of the West Coast and the marvel at the breathtaking beauty of Queenstown.

Avoid the stress of navigating and planning with a one-way tour and transfer from Christchurch to Queenstown, or vice versa. In addition to stopping at ideal locations for photo opportunities throughout the trip, your guide offers stories and commentary about historic landmarks and landscapes along the way. Lunch and tea stops are included for your convenience.

Visit the scenic areas of Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki on this picturesque day tour. It can be difficult to get to remote rural areas without a car, but you won’t have to worry about planning transport as Christchurch pickup and drop-off is included. The journey itself will showcase spectacular landscapes along the way. Once you get to Lake Tekapo, highlights include visiting Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Pukaki, and Tekapo Springs.

This 2 day journey will take you across the wide expanse of the Canterbury plains, through the high country and past Lake Tekapo arriving at Mt Cook National Park. Stay overnight in Aoraki Mt Cook and explore the many options to experience this national beauty. Travel through to Queenstown the following day with stops along the way to take in unique landscapes.

Spend three nights in Queenstown on this 4-day semi-independent tour of the scenic South Island. You’ll travel round-trip from Christchurch by narrated coach via Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook, with a full day of free time to spend at your leisure in New Zealand’s ‘adventure capital.’ Experience all the highlights along the way, including a Milford Sound cruise on the majestic fiord.

Spectacular scenery and lots of opportunity for adventure, this 8 day South Island adventure starts and finishes in the diverse city of Christchurch. Turquoise lakes, majestic glaciers, dramatic mountain peaks and the picture-perfect towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Franz Josef are all a part of this epic road trip. With accommodation and some activities included (see below), our all-inclusive tours are hassle-free, authentic experiences for those short on time.

See the best of Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mt. Cook the easy way on this two-day guided tour. Travelers short on time don’t have to miss out on seeing two of the South Island’s most beautiful sights. Spend day one traveling between Queenstown and Tekapo, stopping at Aoraki Mt. Cook on the way. Return to Queenstown on day two, leaving plenty of time for short walks and spectacular views.

Starting and ending in the “Garden City” of Christchurch, we show you the ultimate highlights of New Zealand’s stunning South Island over 7 action-packed days. From turquoise lakes to towering mountains and glaciers, the South Island’s scenery will blow your mind, and the nation’s adventure capital, Queenstown, has all the adrenalin activities on offer that you could possibly wish for. Activities can be pre-booked or purchased on the road - just let your tour guide know. We can't always guarantee availability when booking on the road, so we suggest pre- booking any activities you especially want to do. As the tour starts early in the morning, you can opt to book accommodation in Christchurch with us the night before the tour – only having to walk downstairs on day 1 makes for a stress-free morning. Accommodation is included on the last night of your tour, but we can also book a few extra nights for you if you would like to extend your stay.