If you’re planning a New Zealand South Island road trip in summer, you’ve probably seen Lake Tekapo everywhere on your Tiktok’s FYP and Instagram. The turquoise water. The church by the lake. The dreamy lupins.
We visited Lake Tekapo in late January, and here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking of going on a summer NZ road trip too:
1. What was the weather like in January?
Summer means longer daylight hours and warm temperatures. It’s the perfect weather to stroll around at the lakeside. The sky was mostly clear and we didn’t see much rain during our visit.
We were only greeted by a bit of light rain on our way home around sunset, but that was pretty much it.
But the sun is STRONG. New Zealand UV hits differently tbh. Don’t skip SPF, even if it doesn’t feel that hot. I had to re-apply my favorite Beauty of Joseon sunstick religiously, highly recommend this sunstick! Easy to apply, not oily, and most importantly- it does the job!
2. Was the water really that blue?
The water really is the most beautiful shade of turquoise. And in January, the bright summer sun makes it look even more vibrant.
You probably don’t need a big plan here. Most people just take photos in front of the famous church & walk along the shore, sit by the lake, and just enjoying the view.
3. Can you see lupins in January?
One important thing to note: lupins (yes, the iconic purple flowers) are usually no longer in bloom by late January. But you’ll get to see Echium flowers instead- it’s purple, but not as full as lupins I think. I have yet to see lupins in bloom!
From my quick research, lupin season typically starts around late November and peaks in early summer. By the time we visited, there were none around the lake.
But tbh, I don’t think it makes Lake Tekapo any less beautiful.
You may not find lupin at the end of January, but lavender is in bloom. There’s a lavender farm just a quick 20-min drive from Lake Tekapo! It’s a really nice stop if you’re visiting in summer.
4. Ok, but what to actually see or do there?
Honestly not much I think. I guess it’s more of a peaceful stop than a packed activity destination, which is still nice of course!
There’s Mt John Observatory, which is a popular viewpoint and stargazing spot (we didn’t go, but many people recommend it).
There’s a small shopping plaza with souvenir shops, B&B, and a few restaurants (we even spotted Japanese and Thai food options).
There’s also a supermarket which is useful if you’re staying overnight.
Stargazing is also a big thing here, with tours available at night.
5. Where are the BEST photo spots in Lake Tekapo?
Just like my other blog posts, (also here and here) I’m always happy to share where to take nice photos for your album collection 😉
Here are a few spots I personally recommend:
This one is a must-visit spot of the iconic stone church by the lake.
There’s limited parking right in front of the church, but you can find more spaces near the plaza area here.
This bridge connects the shopping plaza area to the scenic lake and church side. It’s a pretty spot for photos, especially when it’s not too crowded.
There’s a really nice lawn which is great for a picnic or just taking photos. You can still get a good view of the lake from this area.
If you walk a bit closer to the shore, you’ll find some really nice photo spots surrounded by tall golden grass. It creates a beautiful contrast with the lake (photo below at #7).
6. Is it worth to spend the night here?
I actually think yes.
There’s not a lot going on at night unless you’re into stargazing, but it’s a nice, peaceful place to stay. And having a base here makes it easier if you’re planning short trips around the area.
There’s a supermarket nearby (though it can get crowded), and the town has enough food options for a comfortable stay.
We stayed at an Airbnb about 15 minutes away from Lake Tekapo town center, and it worked really well as a base; especially since we were planning to continue the road trip to Mount Cook and nearby salmon farms.
7. Overall verdict?
So, is Lake Tekapo worth visiting in late January?
I think yes.
The clear blue water and perfect summer weather made it such a nice moment to slow down and stroll around. Yes, there were no lupins in sight, but it didn’t take away from how beautiful the lake was.
I also think the whole South Island road trip in January is worth it on its own. The drive is incredibly scenic. Maybe it’s just me, but parts of the terrain reminded me of Labuan Bajo in Indonesia, which shares that savannah-like landscape paired with bright blue water.
And you could also visit a lavender farm in the summer. I’ll tell you more about it on the next blog post!
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