Three weeks in New Zealand - 4/12 - 5/4/2024

Day 17-Drive to Lake Tekapo-4/27/2024

Today we are driving from Christchurch to Mount Cook but we will be stopping a Fairies, Lake Tekapo, and a few more places before reaching Mount Cook.

It takes a little less than 3 hours to reach Lake Tekapo from Christchurch.

We started across the flat, pastoral Canterbury Plains, dotted with farms, grazing herds, and distant hills, 1 hour 45 minutes as we approach Geraldine, the terrain begins to ripple into gentle foothills.

From Highway 1, we merged into State Highway 79, heading southwest from Geraldine toward Fairlie, and eventually on toward Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook.

The row of trees lining the road is a common and scenic feature on State Highway 79 and in the fall the leaves turn golden, adding the warmth and contrast to the landscape.

Along State Highway 79, heading toward Fairlie, the landscape changes from open farmland to more wooded and mountainous terrain.

Along the road we see farmland stretching upward toward the Southern Alps foothills.

We drove by the back roads toward Kakahu, the landscape unfolded into soft hills, pine forests, and golden fields glowing in the autumn light.

We are now deep in South Canterbury’s rural heart, between Geraldine and Kakahu, an off-the-beaten-path region rich with natural beauty, farmland, and pockets of native and exotic forest.

We drove by rolling farmland, pine forests, and native bush patches, with the landscape rising gently toward the foothills.

 We stopped at the Fairlie Bakehouse, a cozy gem known across the South Island for its gourmet pies. The scent of buttered pastry and slow-cooked fillings drifted out the door before we even stepped inside.

This bakery was recommended by the couple we met at Inati last night, and they told us we have to stop here to taste their meat pies.

The bakery is famous for the lamb, rosemary, and mint pie, and the pork belly and apple. The place was buzzing, warm, and full of life, a perfect autumn stop before heading further into the high country.

We ordered the two most famous meat pie: the lamb and apple pork Pie.

The lamb, rosemary, and mint was flaky, rich, and deeply satisfying.  The pork Belly and Apple was a bit weird to me, as it was sweet and salty but it was still delicious.

After lunch we left Fairlie and we now on Tekapo Road (State Highway 8), heading into the Mackenzie District, a region known for its wide-open landscapes, dramatic skies, and some of New Zealand’s most iconic scenery.

A farm along the way with magnificent view of the Southern Alps in the background.

We are in the heart of the Mackenzie Basin, and the views are starting to open toward the Southern Alps. The snow-capped mountains you’re seeing are part of the dramatic ranges that lead all the way to Aoraki/Mount Cook.

To the northwest and west, the Two Thumb Range and parts of the Ben Ohau Range, both of which rise dramatically from the basin. These mountains are often snow-dusted in autumn (April–May), a hint of winter is approaching

We are now approaching Lake Tekapo, one of the most breathtaking sights in New Zealand with a body of water surrounded by mountains.

Lake Tekapo is famous for its vivid turquoise color, caused by glacial flour with tiny particles of rock suspended in the melt water.

The lake is cradled by the Two Thumb Range and the Southern Alps, many of which are snow-capped in the Fall, creating a postcard-perfect scene.

The water was still and glowing, a glacial turquoise that shimmered in the crisp autumn light.

We are standing on the shore of the lake surrounded by forest and snow capped mountains.

This is the most iconic spot on the lake with the statue of the Collie Dog, overlooking Lake Tekapo, standing proudly on a mound of natural stone with the Two Thumb Range and snow-capped mountains behind it.

 This bronze statue was erected in 1968 to honor the hardworking sheepdogs that helped develop the Mackenzie Country’s high country farms. The statue is life-sized, simple, and powerful, paying tribute to the deep connection between people, dogs, and this rugged land.

A gorgeous fall day with the sun shining above us.

View from the shore of Lake Tekapo with the Two Thumb Range with snow capped summit.

It is so beautiful here with the view of the lake overlooking the Two Thumb Range, which stretches to the right), the mountains on the left-hand side is the Mount John Range and, further west, parts of the Ben Ohau Range.

The rocky shore of Lake Tekapo is framed by the Two Thumb Range and nearby forested slopes, especially beautiful in the crisp clarity of the Fall.

Perfect time to sit down and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Across the rocky shore of Lake Tekapo with glacial-blue water, we can see a band of dark green forest runs along the base of the mountains, a soft contrast to the sharp white peaks above. The Two Thumb Range rises in the distance, its snow-covered summits glowing in the late afternoon light.

People walk along the rocky shore and take photos, watch the sunrise or sunset over the lake and mountains, or visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and Collie Dog Statue.

 Lake Tekapo is a glacial lake, located high in the inland Mackenzie Basin and far from the ocean so the water is fresh, very cold, and fed by glacial melt from the Southern Alps.

Because it’s freshwater, you won’t find seashells, crabs, or marine seafood here.

This view is truly like a postcard.

We are now heading back to our car and you can see on the right hand side the Church of the Good Shepherd was built to the glory of God and as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie Country.

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The Church of the Good Shepherd is a small Anglican church located on the shores of Lake Tekapo in the Mackenzie District.  It was closed so we did not get a chance to get inside.

Rock balancing on the shore of the lake

Panoramic view of the lake.

Lovely picture of a man standing on the shore and enjoying the beauty of nature.

We are now leaving the lake and heading back to our car.

NEXT... On our way to Mount Cook