Chilling in Tekapo - Night 108

There are a number of good day hikes in the

Tekapo region; however, disappointingly the traffic is so slight that no commercial services provide transport to them. Consequently, I was reduced to tramping on the short, nearby observatory hill hike. Rising straight out of town, the trail climbs upward for about 35 minutes before emerging from the trees to the balding top of the hill. Up here, the University of Canterbury has constructed a large observatory complex to take advantage of the dry clear air and the lack of light pollution in this relatively unpopulated area. Most of the buildings are off-limits to visitors; however, a small café sits amidst the domed structures offering food and drinks at exorbitantly high prices. The views of the town and the lake, which are free, are spectacular and well worth the climb. The way back down takes a swooping curve along the lake, lengthening the whole walk to about three hours.

The Little Town of Tekapo

After lunch, I did laundry and spared my skin some UVs by hanging out in the lounge and catching up on some academic reading and email contacts. In the late afternoon I took an off-the-trail hike down what used to be the main channel draining Lake Tekapo (which has now been reduced to a trickle due to most of the excess water being pumped down the canal to Lake Pukaki in order to power the hydroplants downstream). I caught a glimpse of a few 8-inch trout that appeared to be rainbows along the way. It was a calm night, as the hostel was filled primarily with old couples and Chinese girls.

What I Learned Today: If I had to do the South Island again I would rent a car.

written by

exumenius on January 26, 2008 from Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

from the travel blog: Kiwis and Kangaroos

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