A Tekapo experience

The township of Tekapo is situated at the southern end of the lake of the same name, in the Mackenzie Basin, about three hour drive from Christchurch.  During the winter the small township swells with skiers, and it is popular with tourists all year round for the lake and mountain scenery.  We made a mid-winter visit to Tekapo in order to ski at nearby Roundhill Ski Field.

Church of the Good Shepherd under an early morning frost

Built in 1935 as a place of worship for pioneering families, it is one of the most photographed churches in New Zealand.  There is a continual stream of tourists, photographers and wedding parties visiting it on the shores of the lake.

Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World

High on the escarpment in the Sunshine Coast hinterland are the Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World.  The gardens cover about four hectares, with pathways meandering beside ponds, waterfalls, trees, flowers, gazebos and lawns.  The owner, Frank Shipp, began with a bank canvas in 2005, and has created an environment of great ambience, with the Glasshouse Mountains as a backdrop.

View to the Glasshouse Mountains from above the Middle Pond (click once to enlarge)