Christchurch to Queenstown Road Trip: Lake Tekapo & Mt Cook Review

So, are you thinking about making that awesome one-way trek from Christchurch to Queenstown, with stops at Lake Tekapo and Aoraki / Mount Cook? Very good decision! Seriously, the South Island of New Zealand, that gem of a place, almost begs to be explored by car. That route, that’s pretty legendary, and that has views so good, your camera is, like your memory card, just may not have enough space. Seriously, it winds through landscapes that shift from gentle plains to seriously majestic mountains. This piece here is to give you what could be called, you know, a pretty inside scoop. One way adventure promises all this and more!

Planning Your Route: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

Okay, first things first, is that before you get to breathe in all that clear mountain air, it starts, usually, with about a three-hour car travel south from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo, and you should seriously plan it. In fact, in some respects that first stretch might be shorter but if you don’t think it through and that means booking your vehicle! Make certain it has good tyres, almost those distances are pretty rugged and there could be inclement weather. It could get nasty. Consider adding a day, too. It is so worth it. The Canterbury Plains spread out on the drive, then you’re suddenly moving towards the Mackenzie District, with its unique wide open spaces and unbelievably big sky, of course. Seriously, that drive there is relatively straightforward, that the views slowly become, like really majestic. Roadtrip planning is so crucial for enjoying this incredible journey.

Lake Tekapo: A Turquoise Dream

Arguably, Lake Tekapo is just breathtaking. It seems this lake is sort of renowned for its incredibly turquoise waters, which very stands out, big time, next to that pretty stark landscape. The color itself, you know, it comes from that fine rock flour, very glacial in origin, that happens to be suspended in that water, very creating this just unreal glow. That’s why so many come from a very long way to see just this. And yes! That’s right, if that’s your thing, the night sky in Tekapo, just happens to be one of the darkest in the world and its part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. It might be very the most exceptional place that could possibly be for stargazing, so plan to spend a night there, just, if you can. Consider stargazing activities too, those might have limited availability in peak season. So do yourself a really large favour and make certain it is set. In that case there really is plenty to discover, too! You can explore a vast wilderness when booking your Christchurch to Queenstown adventure.

Must-See Spots Around Lake Tekapo

First? That has got to be that Church of the Good Shepherd! Like a real landmark in the area, almost a classic picture spot, particularly very appealing during sunset, almost as iconic as a Hollywood backdrop. After that, so you really must wander around the lakeside, right? This almost enables you to enjoy those striking vistas and, also it allows for some very good photographic opportunities too! And next, not far away, could be Cowans Hill, might I recommend? Usually it rewards you with stunning, I mean, really spectacular panoramic perspectives of that whole lake region. After, of course you are hungry, dine locally, too. There are options for all from the budget conscious backpacker to those in first class who, frankly, prefer eating a more upmarket establishment. Check ahead and it should save you time in trying to discover those hidden dining destinations around Lake Tekapo with your Christchurch to Queenstown tour.

Aoraki / Mount Cook: Touching the Sky

Then, is that the drive from Lake Tekapo to Aoraki/Mt Cook, very it should only take you maybe about an hour or so. As a matter of fact that means you have plenty of time to dedicate your time to that awesome landscape all around you. Driving further west almost up to those Southern Alps really provides almost some amazing views, not just that of Mt Cook. Be certain to, of course, very remember to keep a regular safety break at various viewing stations and locations of note and to make certain you are okay to travel, you know, just drive! In any case it gets increasingly gorgeous as you move in and up there. Mount Cook awaits to be discovered in your South Island escape.

Hiking and Activities at Mount Cook National Park

Seriously, once you get into that Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, right?, hiking that becomes basically a must-do, that is for sure. In any case you’ve got very many different trails, very catering to just every single fitness level, from fairly leisurely strolls to a reasonably strenuous uphill climb that only those who are physically adept might undertake. That Hooker Valley Track, now, may I recommend? Seemingly very that could be a really popular selection because it might lead you right to that Hooker Lake, now almost it offering just magnificent perspectives of Aoraki/Mt Cook itself and some fantastic landscape scenery to soak in. This also crosses rivers and bridges which can almost increase excitement, the atmosphere and adventure along the way. I mean I could go on forever as the tracks can vary but, I would suggest, before you book any route check conditions and make sure you pack very aptly with safety very much to mind. Be mindful, for example, the environment is an Alpine environment and weather often transforms in just short a matter of duration. With some excellent organisation Mount Cook almost has got a trail hike that’s apt and appropriate with your day trip plan.

Alternative Activities at Mount Cook

Okay, so should hiking almost really isn’t your jam or whatever? Then there exist too lots more chances available anyway. Glacier tours which is something you must explore if it almost fits into the budget; scenic flights now? Really quite sensational, that lets people find a completely various viewpoint of that glacier plus Mt Cook as they almost literally almost are taken literally up, right, and above everything that lies beneath; also Mt. Cook almost showcases some sensational museums that also have exhibits related to the regional heritage which one might go explore when doing what one can to have a really incredible and memorable period exploring right near Mt Cook almost by scheduling time from that very drive connecting Queenstown from Christchurch and beyond or backwards depending upon where somebody really should begin very for their holiday. Check and determine which suits requirements and wishes that happen for these locations to boost an adventure very like no other by going from Christchurch to Queenstown.

Queenstown: The Adventure Capital

Right now, from that mountain region that is right by Mount Cook National Park straight out towards Queenstown now, that really means several more hours of really breathtaking landscapes also are headed on from this, for sure. Really get that seat secured now since there actually lies twisty alpine highways alongside what, potentially? that it is and should actually require much better concentration whenever there that really may happen at that one and very singular given part or instant whenever driving but just keep focused so as it might really be that really gorgeous vistas right next to this that is what really comes, I can suggest and mention. Then, Queenstown awaits once having been there for really the greatest possible action around, this very singular capital! It actually does has so lots of thrilling adventures alongside those fantastic sights surrounding everything and for every style possible since a really long road from what happens for each location almost that occurs almost by proceeding towards or at an area where Queenstown now lies just almost gets increasingly gorgeous so just rest assured just almost until someone begins this very exploration which should result with, very amazing recollection with which Queenstown can boast to possess to each party that really comes down from any segment through those Southern Highlands almost upon that one way route.

Activities and Attractions in Queenstown

So you find Queenstown and the sky almost is your limit almost since some awesome activities could have really existed for just about everyone, pretty. Almost find someone thinking to have something wild to really fulfill with some real rushes just near some gorges also and not so long distant in any form whatsoever so there’s actually a bungee almost jumping, just or just really what happens just near Shotover Stream, what exists through with fast action boats right there near Kawaru Stream. Also, just go toward the slower action, and ofcourse some sights, there might occur almost by having what one likes when moving on some cruising boat near Lake Wakatipu with also a real thrilling Gondala ride so really you can sight really something pretty like never even seeing really because whatever one looks at through, there really shows fantastic sights pretty well by using those Southern region that’s what you mostly get. There is an option for exploring to anyone coming down whenever moving towards all sections almost since an attraction can please virtually all whom choose. So, almost there is many things out very by using an incredible option by that holiday moving at Christchurch to Queenstown adventure and journey!

Dining and Accommodation in Queenstown

Actually find a location in which almost exists an option about meal time near or some sleeping location where there comes many forms through that of this really amazing city that anyone just needs through what almost would best fit which an activity really makes people mostly want that should have a dining session along there near almost those upscale eating buildings which provide meals of regional cuisine mostly from fresh produced substances which or an intimate dinner along or with just something cheap by something quick yet delicious or possibly only have at such really popular bistro, you will surely have everything there right when there is so almost many types when there comes a location like in that area almost where Queens Village that exists, therefore surely can exist what better exists with that option or the accommodation location from where through some resorts providing comforts but or through these very comfy but not at all lavish hostels and inns but just what one has should provide just there what best meets exactly all requirements through by using at almost a trip really with traveling by that land moving toward QueensVillage while getting through a destination using something great through traveling really that of with the greatest spots.