Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a small lakeside village that is a hugely popular stopover en route from Christchurch to Queenstown. It boasts incredibly blue water and stunning views of Aoraki/Mount Cook, making it one of the most photographed spots on the South Island. There are several good accommodation options here, and it is worth staying a night to see the brilliant starry skies from the observatory on Mount John. It is a popular skiing spot in winter and in summer its walking tracks and kayaking are popular.