Lake Tekapo Weather Woes
- Rediscovering New Zealand: An Expedition to the Subantarctic and South Island Adventures
- Our Adventure Begins in Queenstown
- A Day Trip to The Remarkables and Glenorchy
- Te Anu and Milford Sound
- An Overnight Cruise in Doubtful Sound with Fiordland Expeditions
- Our "Galapagos of the Southern Ocean" Expedition Officially Begins
- Embarkation Day: Setting Sail for New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands
- Navigating Rough Seas at the Snares
- A Day in the Auckland Islands
- Discovering Macquarie Island
- A Glorious Day at Sandy Bay
- Christmas at Sea and the Wonders of Campbell Island
- Exploring Enderby Island
- A Surprise Second Shot at the Snares
- From Disembarkation to Dunedin
- A Heli-hike on the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki/Mt. Cook
- Lake Tekapo Weather Woes
- Chasing Dusky Dolphins in Kaikoura
- Hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track (well, part of it)
After indulging in a leisurely buffet breakfast, we embarked on the 1.5-hour drive from Mount Cook to Lake Tekapo. The weather, however, was less than welcoming, with pouring rain transforming the previously dry creeks into vigorously flowing streams. Upon arrival, Lake Tekapo presented a chaotic scene, filled with drenched campers seeking refuge from the relentless downpour.
Despite the soggy welcome, we managed an early check-in at our Airbnb. Tekapo had undergone noticeable changes since our last visit, with entire new neighbourhoods seemingly dedicated to Airbnb accommodations. We stayed at Sky Blue Lake Tekapo, a complex of 8 apartment-style rooms. Our apartment was clean and spacious, but the prices in Lake Tekapo seemed astronomical for what you get. That is a little play on words as we were there for astrophotography. Oddly, the outside air carried a strong skunk-like odour, which, after consulting with ChatGPT, we learned was actually from the lupin plants, not skunks, as New Zealand doesn’t have any.
Our visit was timed with the new moon, optimising conditions for an astrophotography workshop. However, the persistent rain dampened our hopes, reminding us of the futility of worrying over uncontrollable elements. Miraculously, the next morning greeted us with clear blue skies, prompting a stroll to the village for coffee and pastries at the Greedy Cow and a walk around the lake, now bustling with Canadian geese—non-native birds introduced in the early 20th century for sport hunting.
Taking advantage of the improved weather, we drove up to the Mount John Observatory and enjoyed a long walk around its trails, clocking about 10 kilometres. On our return, we encountered some horses and decided to pull over for some photographs. Andy is apparently a horse-whisperer because they came right up to the fence and one even gave him kisses.
For lunch we got a pizza from Dolce Pizza food truck and enjoyed as a picnic while observing the throngs of tourists around the Church of the Good Shepherd. This church, built in 1935 and one of New Zealand’s most iconic landmarks, sits beautifully on the shores of Lake Tekapo. Constructed from local stone and oak, it harmonizes with its rugged surroundings, with windows framing the majestic views of the lake and the Southern Alps.
As evening approached, our anticipation for the astrophotography workshop grew. Unfortunately, clouds began to roll in, and by 9 PM, with about 70% cloud cover, the workshop was inevitably cancelled. We were both pretty disappointed but filed it away as something we will have to do on our next visit.
Next Up — Chasing Dusky Dolphins in Kaikoura
