Your guide to New Zealand

Canterbury & Mackenzie

Lake Tekapo's alpine setting, Kaikoura's marine coast and the night skies of the Mackenzie Basin.

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Plan your visit

The coast and Mackenzie Basin are different parts of a large region. Group nearby sights together and protect time for weather-dependent experiences instead of connecting them with an overfull day.

Confirm opening times, admission, accessibility and booking requirements directly. Experiences are suggestions, not live availability.

Local visitor information

Sources reviewed 2026-10-08. Conditions and services can change.

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Lake Tekapo township along the blue lake, with dry open land and mountains behind, viewed from Mount John. — Regional view: Lake Tekapo (Township). Photo: Ulrich Lange, Bochum, Germany / CC BY 3.0 / Image credits

14 things to do

Lake Tekapo township along the blue lake, with dry open land and mountains behind, viewed from Mount John. — Lake Tekapo (Township)
Photo: Ulrich Lange, Bochum, Germany / CC BY 3.0 / Details

Lake Tekapo / Takapo

Lake Tekapo

Scenic viewsCheck admission

Lake Tekapo township along the blue lake, with dry open land and mountains behind, viewed from Mount John. — Regional view
Lake Tekapo (Township)
Photo: Ulrich Lange, Bochum, Germany / CC BY 3.0 / Details

Kaikoura coast

Kaikoura

WildlifeCheck admission

Lake Tekapo township along the blue lake, with dry open land and mountains behind, viewed from Mount John. — Regional view
Lake Tekapo (Township)
Photo: Ulrich Lange, Bochum, Germany / CC BY 3.0 / Details

Mackenzie stargazing

Lake Tekapo

Night skyCheck admission

Visitor centre in Christchurch Botanic Gardens, New Zealand, photographed on location — Visitor centre in Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Photo: Michal Klajban / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Details

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Christchurch

GardensFree entry

Lake Tekapo township along the blue lake, with dry open land and mountains behind, viewed from Mount John. — Regional view
Lake Tekapo (Township)
Photo: Ulrich Lange, Bochum, Germany / CC BY 3.0 / Details

Christchurch Gondola

Christchurch

Scenic viewsPaid experience

Lake Tekapo township along the blue lake, with dry open land and mountains behind, viewed from Mount John. — Regional view
Lake Tekapo (Township)
Photo: Ulrich Lange, Bochum, Germany / CC BY 3.0 / Details

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools

Hanmer Springs

Caves & thermalCheck admission

Lake Tekapo township along the blue lake, with dry open land and mountains behind, viewed from Mount John. — Regional view
Lake Tekapo (Township)
Photo: Ulrich Lange, Bochum, Germany / CC BY 3.0 / Details

Whale Watch Kaikoura

Kaikoura

WildlifeCheck admission

Lake Tekapo township along the blue lake, with dry open land and mountains behind, viewed from Mount John. — Regional view
Lake Tekapo (Township)
Photo: Ulrich Lange, Bochum, Germany / CC BY 3.0 / Details

Akaroa harbour nature cruise

Akaroa

WildlifeCheck admission

Lake Tekapo township along the blue lake, with dry open land and mountains behind, viewed from Mount John. — Regional view
Lake Tekapo (Township)
Photo: Ulrich Lange, Bochum, Germany / CC BY 3.0 / Details

Dark Sky Project

Lake Tekapo

Night skyCheck admission

Lake Tekapo township along the blue lake, with dry open land and mountains behind, viewed from Mount John. — Regional view
Lake Tekapo (Township)
Photo: Ulrich Lange, Bochum, Germany / CC BY 3.0 / Details

Timaru & Caroline Bay

Timaru

Coast & beachesCheck admission

Lake Tekapo township along the blue lake, with dry open land and mountains behind, viewed from Mount John. — Regional view
Lake Tekapo (Township)
Photo: Ulrich Lange, Bochum, Germany / CC BY 3.0 / Details

Geraldine Vintage Car & Machinery Museum

Geraldine

Museums & heritagePaid experience

Lake Tekapo township along the blue lake, with dry open land and mountains behind, viewed from Mount John. — Regional view
Lake Tekapo (Township)
Photo: Ulrich Lange, Bochum, Germany / CC BY 3.0 / Details

Ashburton Aviation Museum

Ashburton

Museums & heritagePaid experience

Admission notes

Free refers to general entry or the named self-guided visit, not a whole day's costs. Transport, parking and extras may be additional. Check admission where residency or ticket choices differ.