Multi-Day Trips from Lake Tekapo

November 7, 2026

Lake Tekapo makes a good first or last night on a longer journey through the Mackenzie Basin. These are the multi-day trips that start here or pass through, with prices in New Zealand dollars.

Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail: Tekapo to Oamaru

The Alps 2 Ocean runs about 300 km from the Southern Alps to the coast at Oamaru. Published lengths range from 301 km to 322 km depending on the start and route. Most riders take 4 to 6 days. The trail is mostly grade 2 to 3. It starts either at Aoraki/Mount Cook or at the Lakeside car park in Lake Tekapo.

The first section follows the Tekapo Canal Road toward Lake Pukaki. This private road belongs to Genesis Energy and can close at short notice in high winds, so check before you set off. Never swim in the canals.
In Tekapo, Outside Sports (7 Motuariki Lane) and BeSpoke Bike Tours (8 Simpson Lane) hire bikes, and BeSpoke also runs shuttles and luggage transfers. Cycle Journeys and Cycle Ventures do the same from Twizel.

Section maps and current notices are on the Alps 2 Ocean site .

Two or three days at Aoraki/Mount Cook

Mount Cook Village is about 104 km from Tekapo, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes. Staying the night means you can walk the Hooker Valley Track early or late, take the Glacier Explorers boat on Tasman Lake (from about NZ$219 adult), and see the dark sky over the national park.

The Hermitage hotel stands in Mount Cook Village and is also where Glacier Explorers trips are booked.
White Horse Hill Campground (DOC) is at the start of the Hooker Valley Track. Book it online. DOC lists about NZ$20 per adult per night for 2026/27 and keeps no spaces for walk-ins.
Mueller Hut (DOC, 28 bunks) is a serious alpine climb for fit, prepared trampers. Between 2 November 2026 and 2 May 2027 you must book online. Summer rates are about NZ$55 to NZ$62 per adult per night. Check the weather and conditions at the Aoraki/Mount Cook visitor centre first. Details are on the Mueller Hut page .

A Mackenzie loop

Two or three nights is enough for a loop: Tekapo for stargazing, Lake Pukaki on the way to Mount Cook, then Twizel, about 60 km from Tekapo, before you head on. Add Fairlie, about 43 km east of Tekapo, if you are driving in from Christchurch.

Onward routes

To Queenstown: about 3 hours 15 minutes by car. InterCity runs a daily coach that takes about 3 hours 50 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes.
To Christchurch: about 225 to 230 km, roughly 3 hours. The InterCity coach takes about 3 hours 25 minutes.
There is no passenger train. Tekapo’s airfield handles scenic flights only.

Winter ski weekends

Roundhill is 35 minutes from the village. In 2026 its season ran from 27 June to 20 September, and an adult day pass was NZ$128. Carry chains and fit them where the signs say.

Compare places to stay: Lake Tekapo accommodation .