Tekapo and Lake Tekapo

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Locations near Lake Tekapo
 - Mt Cook
 - Twizel
 - Oamaru
 - Timaru
 - Methven/Mt Hutt
 - Christchurch

TimaruLake Tekapo is located in the centre of the South Island of New Zealand lies Lake Tekapo. This highland lake and settlement at 710 meters (2300 feet) is in the heart of the Mackenzie District, close to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park and surrounded by a vast alpine basin of golden tussock grass.

Lake Tekapo is a popular tourist destination and is near the town of Tekapo which is a full service town and offering a range of accommodation in the township. The lake's outflow into the Tekapo River is close to the township.

Lake Tekapo is at the upper end of the Waitaki hydroelectric scheme and as such, several dams and artificial canals are found near its outflow, linking it with Lake Pukaki.

The name Tekapo derives from Maori words Taka (sleeping mat) and Po (night). Finely ground rock in the glacial melted waters give Lake Tekapo a beautifully unique turquoise colour.

Lake Tekapo's geographical and central location is protected from rough coastal weather by the Southern Alps in the west and the Two Thumb Range to the east. This allows this highland location to enjoy some of New Zealand's highest sunshine hours and lowest average wind speeds. Rainfall is just 575 millimeters (23 inches) annually.

Summer or winter, snow-covered or golden yellow, the surrounding mountains and turquoise lake make a spectacular backdrop for the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Lake Tekapo being the base for the Mount John University Observatory and due to clear atmosphere, large number of clear sky nights, and lack of light pollution, makes Lake Tekapo an ideal location to reveal an unforgettable night sky.

The township of Tekapo and Lake Tekapo are served by regular daily bus and coach services to and from Queenstown, Wanaka, TwizelMt Cook and Christchurch.

There are no regular schedules air services to and from Lake Tekapo.

There are no passenger train or rail services from Lake Tekapo to Mt Cook, Queenstown, Twizel, Dunedin, Invercargill, Methven, Timaru, Oamaru or Christchurch.