Twizel South Canterbury
Fairlie
Lake ōhau
Mt Dobson Ski Area Between Fairlie and Lake Tekapō, Mt Dobson is renowned for its natural dry powder snow, all-ability trails, huge learners’ area, all-day sun and wideopen uncrowded runs.
Ōhau Ski fields It’s not the
Waimate
largest ski field in Aotearoa, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in exceptional staff and stunning scenery – the views across Lake Ōhau are exceptional.
Lake TEkapō
Fairlie Bakehouse Awardwinning Pies Not just any old
Lake PŪKAKI
bakery, this one’s renowned for its pies the length and breadth of Aotearoa. Homemade and packed with flavour, the hype is justified.
Aoraki
Three Creeks On the Burkes Pass route, this little roadside village has a North American vibe and various heritage buildings, 25km from Fairlie. Seemingly in the middle of nowhere, there are antiques and all manner of retro collectables, as well as coffee. A hidden gem and a great place to break up the drive.
Mt Cook
Twizel
ufamous Fairlie pies, too. Timar serve
Scenic View Helicopters
stunning views in summer and they
Start with lunch at the Farm Barn Café in Fairlie, meet a few of the resident animals and then board a helicopter for a scenic flight to Four Peaks Station.
Lake ōhau
Waimate
Gem Alpaca Stud Interact with tame alpacas. There’s plenty of time to feed and pat them. Afterward, shop for alpaca products at The Paca Shack or pop into the farm shop for an ice cream.
place for families and animal lovers, hand-feed a selection of farm animals and all that is fun, feathered or furry. Pack a lunch and picnic beside the playground
Geraldine
Farm Barn Café, Gift Store and Petting Zoo Cute, cosy and
inviting, with a large backyard and playground, store, café and terrace. A huge fireplace crackles in winter; floor-length windows drink up
Fairlie
Fairlie Heritage Museum A brilliant local museum that reimagines the lives of Fairlie’s former residents via vintage motorcars, wagons and carriages, as well as implements from old hospitals, jail and agriculture. There’s also a lovely on-site café.
Skipton Animal Park A great
ABOVE: Family at Farm Barn Café, Fairlie RIGHT: Three Creeks, Burkes Pass BOTH: © Rachel Gillespie BELOW: Lake Tekapō Church © Adobe Stock
Lake TEkapō Lake Tekapō The main
Lake Tekapō Regional Park
attraction here is the namesake lake, guaranteed to leave your eyes wide and mouth ajar. The water is an amazing turquoise blue, framed by a captivating backdrop of snow in the winter.
Here is a mecca of walks, mountain
KApicnic KI spots, a pump track Lake PŪbiking,
and summer swimming. Enjoy 24km of cycling and walking trails with access from both Lake Tekapō Village and the Cowans Hill Track.
i Springs Cradled at the AorakTekapō
base of Mt John before startling Lake Tekapō views, discover an award-winning spa complex with three outdoor hot pools. In winter, try snow-tubing and ice skating. In the summer, run and jump on the large inflatable Jumpernaut or career down the hydroslide.
Mt Cook Twizel
Mt John Summit For impressive views of Lake Tekapō, climb Mt John. The walk takes approximately oneand-a-half hours, or for an $8 fee, you can drive up to the summit, where there’s also a café and observatory.
Lake ōhau
TOP TIP: For a
photograph worthy of a picture frame, take a pic of the church doused in moonlight. Book a night tour from Lake Tekapō village.
Stargazing Home to the Aoraki
Mackenzie International Dark te Waima Reserve, the Mackenzie Region has
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Lake Ōhau Just as beautiful as the likes of Lake Tekapō but far less known, Lake Ōhau is a vision of pristine blue water and snowy mountains. Make the effort and you’ll likely enjoy the lake alone.
exceptional stargazing opportunities. Consider joining a Dark Sky
Project Astronomy Tour.
The Church of the Good Shepherd One of the country’s most photographed icons fronts Lake Tekapō. Visitors can spend time on the grounds but to look inside, group tours must be arranged. Check out the sheepdog monument too.
MORE LAKE TEKAPŌ MUST-DOS: > Roundhill Ski Area > Kayak or Stand-up Paddleboarding > Animal Petting Zoo > Mackenzie Alpine Horse Trekking > Lake Tekapō Farm Tours > Mountain climbing with Alpine Recreation > Lake Tekapō Solar Circle for an entertaining take on astronomy.
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