Day 4 - Lake Tekapo

We got up early today as we have to catch up a bus from Queenstown to Lake Teakapo. We packed our bags night before and walked to Queenstown downtown. We have a breakfast there and waited for the bus at Intercity Coach terminus. We booked the bus through internet in Hong Kong. The booking process was smooth and easy as the online website is very easy to use. Remember you can get a cheaper price if you book early, so no delay, the last tickets are always expensive! The price for two was NZD52.

The bus left at 8:05am and the commute would take 4 hours. We stopped at Jone's Fruit Stall on the way. The fruits were cheap so we got some and also a snack called fruit skin, which is a fruit purne which went through a drying process.

On the way to Lake Tekapo, we could see Mt Cook and local people said it is uncommon to see her snow cap as Mt Cook is always cloudy. Well, we really saw the common look of Mt Cook later and you will see what I mean if you keep reading my blog!

Tailor-made-backpackers

So after 4 hours bus trip, we finally arrived Lake Tekapo. After getting off the bus, we went to the hostel we would stay that night. It was Tailor-made-backpackers and we booked a twin room which cost NZD70. It was an accomodation place for the construction workers who came here to build dam and canal for Lake Tekapo hydro electricity project. After the construction was finished, it was turned into a tourist hostel. The hostel area was very nice, with big backyards and clean facilities. Though the room was small, we were content.

You won't miss it with this big sign!

The backyard at Tailor-made-backpackers.

The pantry in Tailor-made-backpackers. We could make a good meal by the utentils provided there.

If you go through the webpages about South Island, Lake Tekapo is a place that comes up very often. Lake Tekapo is located at the central part of South Island, the water is turquoise blue which is very beautiful. Also this area is famous for star gazing, thanks for very (or no) light pollution. We planned to star gaze but we have some bad lucks because of rain!

Lake Tekapo south shore. The blue color is from the rock flour crushed by glacier.

Church of the Good Shepherd

A very popular spot for tourists. You can go inside to have a look too!

In memory of the early shepherd settlers.

Mt John Observatory and Astro Cafe

After visiting the Church of Good Shepherd, we walked towards Mt John. There is a Mt John Walkway to the summit, and there are something interesting over there. First, there is an observatory for star gazing; second, there is a cafe on top of the mountain. Though we would not stay overnight there to have star gazing, we definitely wanted to enjoy coffee at Astro Cafe! The walkway is fairly easy, no climbing but just walking. After 1 hour or so walking, we arrived the summit. You can have a birdeye view of Lake Tekapo area at Astro Cafe. See the panorama below!

Astro Cafe is at the summit of Mt John, next to the Earth and Sky Obseravtory

Panorama at Mt John. You can see Astro Cafe at the right side of this picture. The best cafe view in my experience so far!

After have coffee at the Astro Cafe, we took Tekapo walkway back to Tekapo town area. This walkway was a kind of tricky as it went through a farm area, so you have to go through some sheep fence and the walkway is not very well marked (as compared with the trails in Hong Kong).

We returned to the town area and  bought some sausage and spaghetti at Four Squre Supermarket. We made our dinner at the hostel then.

There are some restaurants at Lake Tekapo, but we didn't try them as they were pricy or fancy. But we found a cafe, Run 77, which makes good coffee and simple meal.

Run 77, the only restaurant that we had our meals at Lake Tekapo.