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Lake Tekapo

By Blackaptur Photography

June 15^th, 2020

Lake Tekapo

This trip began beneath the stars...

Tekapo and the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is home to some of the world’s darkest skies. It may be one of the quietest spots on the planet, yet it has one of the busiest skies in the universe.This the largest gold standard International Dark Sky Reserve in the world. This means we have some of the purest night skies in the world, right here in Tekapo.

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

...The next morning

Was rather chilly! Reaching as low as -6 C in surrounding areas, the frosty morning lent itself to some ethereal pictures, particularly once the fog had lifted.

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

As the fog began to disperse, it unveiled spectacular mountain peaks, sprinkled with snow like icing sugar

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

The sun crept above the mountains, slowly beginning the thaw

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Once tourists filled these roads, but they were noticeably emptier and gone were the stray camper vans!

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

A couple of lucky shots with some early birds...

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

...After a cold morning, it was time for breakfast

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

I then drove back into Tekapo, and began the drive down the side of the lake, on the Mayfield Road and headed toward the Macaulay River crossing, which joins on to the Godley River shortly before it enters Lake Tekapo itself...

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

They say that the best things in life, are at the end of a gravel road...

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Now to take the photos I had in mind from the start, I had to put the drone in the sky:

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Footnotes

I hope you enjoyed this - thanks for making it this far!

FootNotes

I hope you enjoyed this - thanks for making it this far!

© 2026 Blackaptur Photography

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