Accommodation:
-
Motels/Apartments/Hotels
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Hostels & Backpackers
Travel Services:
-
Bus Services
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Air
Services
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Train Services
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Rental
Car Hire
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Campervan Hire
Locations near Lake Tekapo:
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Mt
Cook
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Twizel
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Dunedin
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Oamaru
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Timaru
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Methven/Mt Hutt
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Christchurch
|
 Tekapo is a small town
located at the southern end of the Lake Tekapo located in inland
South Island of New Zealand.
Lake Tekapo is a popular tourist destination, and several resort hotels are
located at the township. The lake's outflow into the Tekapo River is close
to the town.
Located in the centre of the South Island of
New Zealand lies
Lake Tekapo.
This highland lake and settlement at 710 meters (2300 feet) is in the heart
of the Mackenzie District, close to
Aoraki Mt Cook
National Park and surrounded by a vast basin of golden tussock grass.
The lake is at the upper end of the Waitaki
hydroelectric scheme, and as such, several dams and artificial canals are
found near its outflow, linking it with Lake Pukaki.
The name Tekapo derives from Maori words Taka
(sleeping mat) and
Po
(night). Finely ground rock in the glacial melted waters give
Lake Tekapo
a beautifully unique turquoise colour.
Lake
Tekapo's geographical and central location is protected from
rough coastal weather by the Southern Alps in the west and the
Two Thumb
Range to the east. This allows this highland
location to enjoy some of
New Zealand's highest sunshine hours and
lowest average wind speeds. Rainfall is just 575 millimeters (23 inches)
annually.
Summer or winter, snow-covered or golden yellow, the surrounding mountains
and turquoise lake make a spectacular backdrop for the Church of the Good
Shepherd.
The unforgettable night sky reveals why
Lake Tekapo
has a reputation for clear air, Late Tekapo is the base for the
Mount John University Observatory
due to
clear atmosphere, large number of clear sky
nights, and lack of light pollution.
The township of Tekapo and Lake Tekapo is served by regular
bus and coach operators providing regular daily
services to
Queenstown,
Dunedin,
Mt
Cook and
Christchurch.
There are regular schedules air services to and from Lake Tekapo.
There are no passenger train services from Lake Tekapo to Mt Cook,
Queenstown, Twizel, Dunedin, Invercargill, Methven, Timaru, Oamaru or
Christchurch. |