Fall Foliage At Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

ByNew Zealand Travel Insider June 14, 2021June 30, 2021

Tekapo is located in Mackenzie Country and a 40 – 60 minute drive to Mount Cook National Park. You can drive from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo in 2.5 – 3.5 hours. Tekapo rises 720 meters above sea level, which is why this area is called High Country.

Lake Tekapo is well-known for its turquoise blue waters just like Lake Pukaki near Mount Cook is. By the way, you can drive from Tekapo to Lake Pukaki in about 20 – 30 minutes.

Many tourists visit Tekapo and Lake Tekapo every year, mainly to enjoy the blue color of the lake, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, see the statue of the dog on the shores of Lake Tekapo, or enjoy impressive mountain views as those seen from Mount John on the Mt John Walkway.

The photo of Lake Tekapo shown below was shot in autumn. Autumn is a magical time in the entire Mackenzie Country. The lakes are dotted with yellow trees, there might be a dusting of snow on the mountain tops, and there is a sharp contrast between yellow and blue everywhere.

While the weather may be a bit unpredictable and unstable in autumn, it is still worthwhile to visit Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook National Park, and the rest of the Mackenzie Country at this time of the year.

In my opinion, autumn is one of the best times to visit New Zealand, and in particular this area. But other seasons offer plenty photo opportunities too! In summer you can use lupins (flowers) as the foreground to Lake Tekapo and the surrounding mountains, and in winter in New Zealand you can use snow-capped or snow-covered mountains as the background for Lake Tekapo.