Lake Tekapo, New Zealand Vacations and Luxury Travel Packages
Still within the Mackenzie Country and just over 31 miles (50km) north-east of Twizel, is beautiful Lake Tekapo. The waters of this glacial lake have an exquisite turquoise colouring that contrasts magnificently with the bronzed, almost treeless, surroundings. This unique colouring is produced by rocks that have been ground to a fine powder by glacial action and which now hang suspended, as 'rock flour', in the water. Though the water looks inviting, the lake is as chilly as the glaciers that feed it, so a swim is something only the bold should attempt.
The township of Lake Tekapo is located at the lake's southern end. On the lake shore a short distance from town is the Church of the Good Shepherd, a simple stone building that was erected as a memorial to the pioneer runholders of the Mackenzie. Not far away is the bronze statue of a sheepdog, a fitting tribute to an animal which played, and continues to play, an indispensable role in the grazing of the high-country.
Although the desolate beauty of the scenery which surrounds the lake can be enjoyed for free, it is nevertheless worth considering spending a dollar or two on the scenic flights which start from here. The 'Grand Traverse' offered by Air Safaris is a 50 minute scenic flight around Mount Cook and Westland National Parks which takes in Franz Josef, Fox and Tasman Glaciers.The same company also offers roughly the same tour from Glentanner Park, near Mount Cook. In any case, these flights are great value for money and a bit cheaper than those offered by other airlines at Mount Cook.
From Tekapo, SH8 curves its way eastwards through vast tussock grasslands until, at Burke Pass, the wide-open spaces of the Mackenzie are abruptly left behind for an altogether gentler landscape. The rolling downs on which towns like Fairlie and Geraldine are situated are a first hint of the Canterbury Plains, one of the most prosperous farming regions in New Zealand.
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