New Zealand: Lake Tekapo

Because of our schedule changes to work around bad weather, we ended up with extra hours on the bus pass. So, we took a joy ride to Lake Tekapo from Christchurch, especially to catch the lupines flowering this time of the year.

While I was super happy to see the lupines, they are featured in all the promo photos, I was disappointed to learn that they are considered invasive.Lupines really seem to thrive in the area. What a shame!

We did have time to walk to the top of Mount John with a 360-degree view of snow capped mountains in the distance.

Scenic bus ride southwest to Tekapo.


When you see snow-capped mountains you know you're getting close.




Tekapo is a small town, built to serve tourists. It's right on the shores of Lake Tekapo, and the Mt John Track starts at the bus stop (more or less). And check out the purple, red, and white lupines. Not to mention the yellow and orange California poppies.










After a quick lunch by the lake, it's up, up, up to the summit of Mt John.




Wow! Great views to Lake Tekapo, the mountains, and the local observatories. Tekapo is an "International Dark Sky Reserve".










More Lupines.








The bus ride back to Christchurch.