Pukaki

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Tekapo Springs
2026 Global 50 - Hot Springs Attractions

Tekapo Springs

6.6
4.4/5
69 reviews

Tekapo Springs is located on the shore of Lake Tekapo on New Zealand's South Island, at the foot of Mount John at an elevation of approx. 720 m. The attraction centers on three hot pools filled with locally sourced groundwater that is heated before use, with water temperatures of approx. 36.5 to 38.5 degrees Celsius. The three pools are named after three major lakes in the Mackenzie region—Ohau, Pukaki, and Tekapo—and the Tekapo pool is an adults-only area with views out over Lake Tekapo and the Two Thumb Range. The poolside is landscaped with local alpine plants, and native birds such as fantails can occasionally be seen flitting among the trees. In addition to the hot pools, the attraction also features a steam room, a sauna, and a cold plunge pool, as well as a family-oriented children's splash area and a cool-water pool equipped with interactive features such as water jets and fountains. In winter, snow tubing and ice skating rinks and other snow and ice activities open on site, while in summer visitors can enjoy mini golf. The attraction also has a day spa and a café, where guests can relax while taking in the lake and mountain scenery. Tekapo sits within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, which is an international dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere. A guided tour combining the hot pools with stargazing lets visitors admire the brilliant Southern Hemisphere night sky under expert guide and relax in a dedicated hot pool, extending the daytime hot pool relaxation into the night.

Lake Tekapo · 33.5 km from Pukaki
The Church of the Good Shepherd
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Mackenzie Basin

The Church of the Good Shepherd

6.5
4.7/5
461 reviews

The Church of the Good Shepherd stands on the shore of Lake Tekapo. Built to commemorate the early pioneers of the Mackenzie region, it remains the only church in the town, and local residents still come here regularly for worship. The church is small, with walls built from natural stones gathered within a few km of the area, preserving even the lichen on the stones. The dark slate roof, the small cross on the ridge, and the small bell tower on one side allow it to blend seamlessly with the open lakeshore. A famous view of the church is from within: when it was built, a large window was intentionally left at one end of the altar, framing the azure lake and the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps on the opposite shore like a natural painting. On clear days, you can even make out the silhouette ofAoraki / Mount Cookin the distance. The church interior is only open to visitors during certain hours of the day, and photography is prohibited inside. Even if you don't go inside, taking a walk along the lakeshore path around the church for photos is equally worthwhile. Don't forget the bronze statue of a sheepdog not far away, which commemorates the collies that herded in the Mackenzie highlands. If you walk from the town across the small bridge, the church and the statue form a perfect loop. After dark, the scene changes: Tekapo is located in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, with extremely low light pollution. The Milky Way stretching across the night sky is visible to the naked eye, and celestial bodies rarely seen in the Northern Hemisphere, such as the Southern Cross and the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, are also clearly visible. In early summer, lupins bloom along the lake, and the church, the sea of flowers, the lake, and the snow-capped mountains form a popular photo opportunity.

Lake Tekapo · 34.2 km from Pukaki

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Featured Culture & history in Pukaki

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Wanaka shooting range Crossfire Shooting center
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Duration: 1 hr
English
Free cancellation
FromHK$372.99
Christchurch round-trip English tour: Lake Tekapo + Church of the Good Shepherd visit + Mount Cook Park hike
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FromHK$1,596.57
Christchurch, New Zealand: Mount Cook + Lake Tekapo + The Church of the Good Shepherd Tour [Includes Transfers & Lunch]
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FromHK$1,443.04
Christchurch: Mt Cook & Tekapo Small-Group Tour (incl Lunch)
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4.7/5
· 6 reviews
Duration: 13 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromHK$1,299.96
New Zealand Wanaka Crossfire live-fire shooting experience
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Duration: 20 mins
English
Free cancellation
FromHK$174.69
Lake Tekapo: Indoor Dark Sky Cultural Astronomy Experience
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 45 mins
Free cancellation
Book now for today
FromHK$256.59

Featured Day tours in Pukaki

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Queenstown to Christchurch one-way 1-day tour | Aoraki / Mount Cook · Lake Pukaki · Lake Tekapo
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5.0/5
· 1 review· 90 booked
Duration: 11.2 hrs
English
75 travellers saved
FromHK$1,802.59
New Zealand Tekapo Chameleon Stargazing Tour [Hotel Pickup, Chinese/English Optional, Small Group]
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5.0/5
· 3 reviews· 60 booked
Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromHK$526.06
Mount Cook 1-day tour | Lake Tekapo · The Church of the Good Shepherd | Tasman Glacier viewpoint hiking trail
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3.0/5
· 2 reviews· 54 booked
Duration: 11.5 hrs
English
Book now for tomorrow
105 travellers saved
FromHK$1,363.89
Christchurch to Queenstown one-way 1-day tour | Mount Cook · Lake Tekapo · The Church of the Good Shepherd
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews· 29 booked
Duration: 9.4 hrs
English
55 travellers saved
FromHK$1,733.10
Mou Waho Island: 3-hour Cruise and Guided Nature Walk
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5.0/5
· 20 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for today
FromHK$778.40

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Pukaki weather for the next 2 days11/10: 6-14℃, 11/11: 6-20℃

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What travellers say about Pukaki

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旅の径October 26, 2020
4.0
New Zealand has many lakes, most of which are surrounded by mountains, with winding coastlines, clear water and pleasant scenery. It is an excellent tourist destination. Lake Pukaki, located in the central part of the South Island, is worth visiting for its four unique features. First, the lake is rich in rock particles and minerals. Under the sunlight, it reflects a unique blue color, which is dreamy and attractive, and has the reputation of "Blue Milk Lake". Second, the lakeside is the best place to overlook Mount Cook. When the weather is fine, standing on the south bank of Lake Pukaki, the Southern Alps on the north bank 55 kilometers away are clearly visible, and the highest peak is Mount Cook. Third, the lifelike Tahr sheep statue. The Tahr sheep, native to the Himalayas, lives between high mountain cliffs. It is a first-class protected animal in my country and is listed as a "near endangered" animal in the world. In 1904, a British man brought five Tahr sheep to the South Island. Because they had no natural enemies, Tahr sheep thrived in the Cook Range and became the favorite hunting animal for European and American hunters to hunt in New Zealand. In 2014, people erected a handsome and mighty Tahr sheep statue on the shore of Lake Pukaki to commemorate the contributions of relevant people in protecting Tahr sheep worldwide. Taking a photo with the statue is the only choice for all tourists. Fourth, on the south bank of Lake Pukaki, there is a Mount Cook salmon farm. The salmon produced is firm and tender, cheap and good quality. Many food lovers come here to taste and buy.

Lake Pukaki

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哉哉子January 2, 2020
5.0
Located beside the fairy-like Lake Pukaki, it is the freshest, purest and most pollution-free salmon, which is the closest to the quality of wild salmon. 100g is priced at 10 New Zealand dollars, and 500g is 38 New Zealand dollars. You must eat it.

Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Shop

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_TT***56October 22, 2026
5.0
A very unique experience during visit Mt Cook. Pilot will bring us fly over Tasman lake so that we can have an amazing view. After that we will have a short landing on top and have a photo shoot. Check in super easy, just show the booking and all done in 5 min.

Mount Cook Helicopter Experiences

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286***48October 20, 2026
5.0
Joining a Chinese-language stargazing tour at Lake Tekapo was excellent. The stargazing location was completely free of light pollution, and the staff were very attentive, providing chairs and blankets as it got quite chilly at night. The explanations were detailed and professional, and they even included a complimentary photo opportunity for each participant at the end. It was great value for money. If you drive yourself, the staff will add you on WeChat beforehand and provide detailed directions.

Tekapo Chinese Stargazing

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🎀彡🐾April 25, 2020
5.0
Lake Tekapo was formed by volcanic eruptions, so it also has very rich geothermal resources. There are many hot springs here, and there is misty smoke in the middle. You can enjoy the warmth and therapeutic effects of these hot springs to the body. It is very comfortable and definitely worth experiencing.

Tekapo Springs

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KC travelholicApril 6, 2026
5.0
Located near lake tekapo, a very nice church with vibe of art. It is worth going. Very scenic and a signature place in NEW zealand. Different feelings when u come in winter and summer. A place that u cant miss out in NZ. Please come and take photos.

The Church of the Good Shepherd

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jing0lingJanuary 22, 2024
5.0
nice place with nice Astro Cafe, Astro cafe opening hour is depends on the weather. if is too windy they will close.

Mount John

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M37***08October 9, 2026
5.0
The experience of lying down and stargazing was fantastic. The explanations were very engaging, and our 5-year-old listened to the entire presentation starting at 11 pm. The nebulae seen through the telescope were especially beautiful and breathtaking. The final activity of roasting marshmallows was a favorite among the kids. The professional stargazing photos were also a precious highlight of the trip, and we even captured a glimpse of the pink aurora. Overall, it's a highly recommended family-friendly experience. However, reservations need to be made at least a month in advance.

Tekapo Star Gazing

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华籍美娜November 1, 2026
4.0
The only downside was the lack of a sheep shearing show. The BBQ was great, and considering the price included food, it was definitely worth it. Overall, the boat trip was very relaxing, with the boat ride to the BBQ area taking about 40 minutes. It's a good option if you like a more leisurely pace of life, especially on a nice day. The only downside was the lack of a show, which made it a bit boring.

RealNZ | TSS Earnslaw Queenstown Cruise

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What are the must-do things in Pukaki?

Don't miss these attractions in Pukaki: Lake Pukaki, Punatahu Visitor Center, and Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Shop. If you like Culture & history, try Wanaka shooting range Crossfire Shooting center. If you enjoy Day tours, try New Zealand South Island Aoraki / Mount Cook panoramic sightseeing bus tour: Christchurch - Aoraki / Mount Cook.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include New Zealand South Island Aoraki / Mount Cook panoramic sightseeing bus tour: Christchurch - Aoraki / Mount Cook, Queenstown to Christchurch one-way 1-day tour | Aoraki / Mount Cook · Lake Pukaki · Lake Tekapo, and New Zealand Tekapo Chameleon Stargazing Tour [Hotel Pickup, Chinese/English Optional, Small Group]. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 9, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Pukaki is around HKD 526.06 – HKD 1,802.59. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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