Mt. Cook Full Day Private Tour via Tekapo from Christchurch

Set at the heart of the Canterbury region at the foot of the Southern Alps, Geraldine is the gateway to the lakes in the central Mackenzie Basin and the beginning of the Starlight Highway to Tekapo's world renowned UNESCO Aoraki McKenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Geraldine is the perfect place to stop for refreshments and break your journey.

Lake Tekapo Visit captivatingly turquoise Lake Tekapo. The Church of the Good Shepherd Situated on the shores of Lake Takapo amongst the natural beauty of the lake and the mountains, the Church of the Good Shepherd was built to the glory of God and as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie Country.

Lake Pukaki Lake Pukaki is a shimmering blue jewel set into a grand alpine playground - an iconic New Zealand landscape of high mountain peaks, glacier fed alpine lakes and golden tussocks stretched beneath an endless sky. Sir Peter Jackson chose this part of the Southern Alps - the main divide stretching north-south the length of New Zealand's South Island - as the setting for 'Lake-town' in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

Tasman Glacier is the largest glacier in New Zealand, and one of several large glaciers which flow south and east towards the Mackenzie Basin from the Southern Alps in New Zealand's South Island.

Mount Cook village is the key entry point to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park — several short walks and overnight hikes start from the village. It's also well worth visiting for the pristine night sky, and other activities such as boat tours and heli hikes to the Tasman Glacier.