Last weekend I was looking for a day trip I could take and decided on driving into the interior of New Zealand’s South Island to see some scenery in the Mackenzie region. The walk to Mt John summit and observatory at Lake Tekapo was a good choice as it’s a couple of hours round trip including spending time at the summit once up there. I only had one day off but this was a good opportunity to explore a new part of this area of New Zealand.
I set off early from Christchurch. The drive is a little dull until you turn off State highway 1 and get onto State Highway 79. The landscapes get much more scenic driving on to the town of Fairlie where you can stop and get a pie from the bakery there. The Fairlie pie shop has become well known it seems, I stopped there thinking I might get something to eat but the line was well out the door by the time I got there. Everyone driving through had the same idea it seems. I didn’t want to wait so I pressed on with the drive to Lake Tekapo.
From Fairlie you turn onto State Highway 8 for the rest of the drive to Lake Tekapo. This part of the drive is also really nice with great views of the landscape and the lake as you approach Tekapo. In total, the drive took about three hours from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo.
I knew I would be in town until late that day so I parked my car under some shade and walked down to the lake front. I got a coffee and stretched my legs along the shore after sitting in the car for three hours. Lake Tekapo is stunning but I’d been here a few times before and wanted to do something different. I went to the supermarket to get some lunch before starting my walk. I also got a bottle of water and some snack bars to take with me.
After getting prepared/relaxing for an hour in a Tekapo cafe I started the walk up to the Mt John summit. One thing I would recommend is a lightweight backpack with the minimum amount inside. I thought I was packing light but it didn’t feel like it once I was halfway up. I packed a shirt, water bottle, and a small camera bag. I also forgot I had an extra pair of trousers and t-shirt in there. While this isn’t that much gear it makes a difference as parts of the walk are quite steep and the backpack felt heavier than it should have in parts. It wasn’t a big deal in the end as this walk is reasonable short and going down is less of an issue. I would still be more careful with what I pack next time I do something like this.
I took the #2 walk straight up to the summit as I wasn’t sure if I’d have time to take the lakeshore route. The journey up is a steep walk through pine forest. If you have time, I think the lakeshore walk would most likely have better views.
Once at the top the views were fantastic. You have clear views in pretty much all directions. Including views of the Lake Tekapo town, Lake Alexandrina, Southern Alps, and across Lake Tekapo to Mount Dobson area. At the Mt John summit is the observatory, which is a working observatory, run by the University of Canterbury. There is a cafe located here but it was closing by the time I arrived at the summit.
Most people were taking photos & selfies. I took some photos around the summit myself then sat down for a drink of water and to take in the views before starting the trip down. If you’re not inclined to take the steep walk then it is possible to drive up to the top. I’d estimate about half the people at the summit that day had driven up.
I had thought about taking the lakeshore route back to Tekapo. I was willing to be late back to Tekapo but it was starting to rain at the summit. Without a proper rain jacket I thought best to take the shorter route back to town.
The rain had stopped by the time I got back to the town. It was evening by this time, I walked along the lake and thought about somewhere to have dinner. I saw four food trucks in one of the car parks by the lake. Fish and Chips/Squid, burgers etc. I got some squid and chips and ate it on the grass by the shore. A fried seafood dinner and a drink was a nice way to end the day.
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