19/4/2025 We have just finished a 5 day adventure through Bike it now. All we can say is wow. A massive than you to Kate at Clyde for the exceptional experience she put together for us. From information about the trails and amazing accommodation she organised . The people we met along the way were awesome and so friendly. Food was amazing and weather spot on. Thanks again bike it Clyde and Kate. Phil and Chrissy Hobson Darren and Jo Clark

Absolutely have to do the Lake Dunstan trail when visiting the Otago Region! All the staff were fantastic at Bike It Now from organising our ride, setting up our bikes and were so friendly and knowledgeable! Add it to your to do list when visiting the beautiful towns of Clyde/Cromwell

Im usually not big on tours but fletch and her team have convinced me. It was so much more fun doing it with them, they are all delightful and the locals they work with for accommodation and food are also amazing. We loved it. Will book with them again.

My fiancé and I had an amazing experience with Bike It Now. Their attention to detail was great and we felt reassured the whole time! We did the Otago Rail Trail over 4 days, 3 nights (on e-bikes) and it was such a pleasant experience, we had lots of time to stop along the way. We can't wait to book in for the remaining trails. Thanks bike it now team!

Did the Otago Rail Trail with Bike It Now – absolutely brilliant experience! Everything was so well organised, from luxury accommodation to dinner bookings and luggage transfers. The team were incredibly informative and made the whole journey seamless — all we had to think about was pedalling, enjoying the food, and sampling some great Otago wines. Created amazing memories along the way. 100% recommended! 🚴‍♀️🍷

Today we did the ‚One Day Wonder‘ cycle tour and we are absolutely overwhelming. We have to give a very big THANK YOU to the fabulous team of Bike It Now. They are brilliant, help you with everything….., take fear away you may have because you might believe too hard 4 me‘ or whatsoever…. SUPER ! The e-bikes are very good, quite new best standard. The trip we did was breathtaking and worth every dollar, DANKESCHÖN aus Hamburg, Frank and Claudia

I had a great experience doing the Lake Dunstan cycle trail with Bike it Now. The mountain bike I hired was perfect for the trail, and fitted with everything I needed. The pre- departure talk was very informative and made me feel more confident about tackling the ride. I caught their shuttle to Cromwell and gained a lot of local knowledge along the way from John the driver. The trail is great.

The experience was okay, but I found the winery to be quite commercial and lacking the charm and personal touch you sometimes get in smaller places. It was also very busy, which made it feel a bit rushed. The wines were fine, but in my opinion it’s not really worth the stop when there are so many other wineries in the area that offer a more special and memorable experience.

We were a bit underwhelmed with the winery itself - could really use a refresh to the interiors and perhaps even the branding. The wine was nice, but not a stand-out in the region. The saving grace for us however, (despite the commerciality) was the cheesery! We sampled a bunch of delicious cheeses (unfortunately we couldn’t take any home to Australia) and we also purchased some of the Pinot noir truffle chocolates which were DIVINE! So much so, we made a special second trip back to the winery just to purchase more for ourselves and for a gift. Didn’t try the Chardonnay chocs (not into white choc) but highly recommend the Pinot noir truffles and the Pinot noir fudge - 5 stars for those!

Stopped here for a self drive wine tour of the region and was a great way to start the day! The venue was great and the cellar door is set up nicely. Our main waiter was Jules who was amazing. He was very interested in our likes and plans for the day, passing on his recommendations for other stops on the way. He made sure to talk us through each wine we tried and how it was created. The wines were delicious and sitting by the fire was very cosy.

Our tour with Ange was absolutely incredible! As someone who doesn’t know much about wine but loves drinking it, I really appreciated how he shared so much interesting information without getting too technical. He took the time to make sure we understood each tasting profile, and his friendliness was unmatched. You could really see his passion for what he does, Gibbston Valley is lucky to have him! Hard to believe it was only his third time running a tasting tour; he definitely deserves a pay rise! Micah + Ben

This winery is beautiful! From the outside seating area, to the cellar door inside and the wine cave with it’s constant temperature of 14 degrees. The scenery in the valley is stunning and the whole layout of the winery is well thought out. As we were a little early for our booked tasting, a glass of pinot noir helped the time fly by. Well as they say….when in Rome 😛 Our tasting started with a small tour and explanation of the vineyard before heading over to the wine cave for our tasting. We tried a variety of reds and whites as well as the bubbles and I enjoyed them all. Usually, there is at least one that I don’t like but not this time. There is a cheesery and deli on site but to be honest, I forgot to have a look. Unlike me as I’m a big cheese and charcuterie fan! I did get to sample some chilli salami from one of the guys on our tour and it was delicious. Recommend popping into Gibbston for a wine tasting, but suggest that you book.

We did the winery tour and tasting on the 22/10/25. It was fantastic! Our guide, Jules, was very charismatic and funny. We were only supposed to try four different wines, but because there was only three of us and we were the last tour of the day we tried six wines, which were all lovely! Great way to spend the afternoon, definitely recommend!🤩

Tough to rate this in entirety, but we love the salmon and thought the cave wine tour was just alright. 🐟 having arrived early, we decided to take a seat in the restaurant and get some bites, but was tempted by the market fish which was a salmon and thought to share a plate - and it turned out to be the best we had! The salmon was really fresh, cooked to perfection, and had the right amount of seasoning too 💯 🍷 While we didn’t book the wine tour online, we reached at 2pm for the 3pm tour and didn’t get a good first experience before we even booked the visit. The wine tour itself was alright, started off at the vineyards with a brief description of how the vineyard came about and some background on the wines they have. This was followed by a cave tour, which if we heard right, took 3 months and 1.5 tonnes of explosives to create - definitely a unique experience. That said, the wine tasting was done right inside the cave, which to some extent was alright but felt a little rush since the entire experience was capped at 30 minutes, i.e we had to finish all 3 wines and leave within the allocated time slot. It most certainly wasn’t our favourite wine tour nor the best wines we have tried nor the best overall service. One that we find hard pressed to rate since we really enjoyed the food and the ambience with the alfresco dining - with a sub par wine tour experience.

It was my first time trying go-karts and it was truly an amazing experience! My 10-year-old son had an absolute blast too. Even if you bump a little, it doesn’t hurt. Before that, we played mini golf, and it was really fun doing it with the wind blowing hard—it added to the charm!

Pop by to take a quick look during our road trip. Beautiful, powerful cars on display in the area. You would love this place if you are a race car enthusiast. Heard it will probably be one of the f1 race track in the near future from one of the locals.

Love this place, Tony has injected so much motorsport passion into NZ, recommend stopping by! Also, the team at Highlands are always so welcoming.

During our road trip through New Zealand, we stumbled upon the Highlands race track quite by chance. We were hoping that an opportunity to either drive or ride along would be available at just the right time. And I was in luck! Shortly after arriving, I was able to enjoy a very dynamic ride in a Lamborghini Huracán with a professional driver. The track is very interesting, with tight corners, fast sections through hills and valleys, and bridge crossings. I had a lot of fun and highly recommend it.

Did the 7 lap Mustang self drive. Well worth the money. Great instruction and very friendly. I would recommend. Even if you aren't a ford man like myself.

Absolutely amazing experience with instructor Matt during clay shooting at oxbow. The place is stunning, super indulged experience, safe, lots of rounds and worth every cent. A must try.

Awesome track and facilities. Staff are very friendly and helpful aswell. Look forward to coming back and racing next year

Great service from Shebikeshebikes meant we had a great day on the trail. We were a really mixed group in terms of experience and ability, but electric bikes and the crew's recommendation for what trail to ride meant we all had a fabulous time. Thanks for the care you took making sure we had what we needed. Ngā mihi!

This was my first taste of Otago trails. Staying at Ranfurly, I chose to ride what was recommended to be the best section of the Otago Rail Trail, ie Omakau to Ranfurly. Shebikeshebikes were able to shuttle me and my ebike to Omakau from where I was able to cycle the trail back to the motor camp at Ranfurly. Shebikeshebikes provided the perfect service; a very enjoyable drive with a lovely driver and at a remarkably reasonable cost. P.S. Two days later I used Shebikeshebikes to shuttle me and my bike from Clyde to Cromwell so I could ride the amazing Lake Dunstan Trail back to Alexandra Holiday Park. Again the shuttle service was superb.

Amazing experience with shebikeshebikes on the Otago Rail Trail. Service was great before the trip, prompt and clear communication, and on the trip. Bikes worked well, shuttle bus and luggage transport was great. Suggested accommodation on the trail was also wonderful. Thanks for a great experience!

Very satisfied repeat customers having biked both Clutha Gold and Otago Central Rail Trail with Shebikeshebikes. Great service, very comfortable bikes, and some wonderful accomodation options we never would have found by ourselves..

Hired an E bike for my lovely wife to do a portion of the rail trail. Really easy to deal with, plenty of information. They even have an after hours return option. Nice bike that was well maintained. No chance of keeping up with her on my 'normal' bike. Perfect way to see the rail trail.

This is the go to place for bike hire in Clyde..well versed in the local trails..able to have our bikes delivered to Cromwell which made for a easy return to Clyde...Dunstan Trail 10 out 10

Fantastic experience with shebikeshebikes - the 3 day rail trail was perfect for me . Travelling alone I met lovely people every step of the way. Fabulous accommodation esp behindthebikesheds!!

Probably the best ski resort for a general good day out for everyone in New Zealand. If you love terrain parks and pipes then this is the place to be in Australasia. Great facilities and well groomed trails. Off piste has certainly got better with the opening of Soho.

Was a wonderful ski field. Had a lot of runs to do and was great with all the lifts and covered escalator for the learners.some staff had no ideas about colours of runs so maybe something for staff to learn up on but we managed to find a ski instructor and they were really knowledgeable about the different coloured runs etc. A lot to do here and a lot of runs. Spent a good day here. Have to get here early if you want a park otherwise you won’t see your car for the day so come prepared. Cafe is on the expensive side, tourist prices of course but still a great day of skiing had. Would definitely come back for more.

Fantastic ski resort with amazing views and well-groomed slopes! Great for beginners and experienced skiers alike. Friendly staff, good facilities, and a fun atmosphere. One of the best places to ski in New Zealand! 🎿🏔️❄️

Great place for beginners to expert, but over crowded place for first timers. Should probably go to Remarkables if it’s your first time. Rentals are good quality. And the stuff is friendly and helpful. A lot of easy runs for beginners at different levels. I found it great to instruct people at different levels from beginner to intermediate. Great place for both snowboarding or skiing. Plenty of runs open and the jumps are well groomed.

Very positive and friendly Team running the resort. Private ski lessons are high quality, recommended. Moderate busy. Accommodation is very hard to book, but worth it. Rooms are clean and confortable. Several food options and coffeshop. Not your 5star level meals, but very good considering how remote the location is and supply challenges. Equipment appear to be very well maintained, including lifts, no visual signs of significant wear.

We came in the first week of September. Spring just started. It treat us well with a sunny sky in the early morning then massive snow in mid day. The field is well maintained and lots experiences for different ski level. We had fun!

Great place with great snow in 2025. Hope to get back there soon. If your car is two wheel drive, best to just catch the free shuttle from the base of the mountain to the top.

A must visit lake in New Zealand and I personally love this more than tekapo 😆

Picturesque lake and town that has a really nice laid back vibe to it. Very different to its bigger bustling tourist town cousin of Queenstown. The mountains with snow on the peaks with the clear water make for some great photos. The walk around the lakes edge is nice and flat and perfect for a stroll. The town has a good selection of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Loved it.

Beautiful lake with chalets and hotels lining is shores on the one end and massive mountain ranges on the other. Roy's peak is accessed from here which is a hike that takes you to that place you see on Instagram with sprawling views of the lake in all its glory. For the less adventurous, there are kayaks available to rent and other adventure activities

The must beautiful lake

A highlight of the town and a nice place for walking around. I appreciated that there were so many nice public toilets, especially in the part that touches the town. It just means that anyone can really spend a long time at the lake and chill there.

Small little town and a big lake. The famous tree is about a 15 minute walk from the town and can be done near the road or the water. The tree is much closer to the edge of the lake than expected, and much smaller than the photos. Nice pit stop in between a long car or bus ride. The weather can change the experience, definitely plan ahead if this is something you want to include in your trip!

A special tree that can give you great inspiration ! The Roys Bay of Lake Wanaka is only a a very small beach but there stands a very special and expensive tree. People call it the "Lone Tree" This willow tree submerged just off the shoreline of Roys bay in Lake Wanaka has become an iconic feature of the town . This photo album is only for this one tree ! Hope you like it .

Mount Aspiring in New Zealand is a true gem of nature that will leave you spellbound. This majestic peak, located in the heart of the Southern Alps, offers an unparalleled experience for those seeking adventure and stunning natural beauty. The hike to Mount Aspiring is a challenging yet rewarding journey. The track takes you through breathtaking alpine landscapes, ancient glaciers, and awe-inspiring valleys. The ever-changing scenery keeps you captivated throughout the entire climb, making every step feel like a magical exploration. The panoramic views from the summit of Mount Aspiring are simply extraordinary. Gazing out over the vast and untouched wilderness, you can't help but feel a sense of wonder and tranquility. The snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes, and cascading waterfalls create a picture-perfect backdrop that will forever be etched into your memory. One of the highlights of Mount Aspiring is its sheer remoteness. As you venture deeper into this pristine wilderness, you'll feel a sense of solitude and serenity like nowhere else. The untouched beauty of the surrounding landscapes is truly a treat for the soul and offers a unique opportunity to disconnect from the stresses of everyday life. The accessibility and safety measures in place at Mount Aspiring are commendable. The Department of Conservation has ensured well-marked trails, adequate facilities, and informative signage to guide visitors along their journey. It is important to come prepared with the right equipment and supplies, as the weather can be unpredictable and conditions can change rapidly. The rich biodiversity surrounding Mount Aspiring is another aspect that adds to its charm. From rare alpine plants to unique bird species, this area is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. The opportunity to witness these incredible creatures in their natural habitat is a privilege that shouldn't be missed. Whether you're an experienced mountaineer or simply a nature enthusiast looking to immerse yourself in New Zealand's unparalleled beauty, a visit to Mount Aspiring is an absolute must. The raw power and untouched landscapes found here will leave you in awe and provide an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. Don't miss the chance to explore this hidden gem and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Amazing place with beautiful views. In the early spring time when I have been there I could observe several avalache from the safe place. Totally recommend that National Park ! You can also admire there Greenpeace valleies surrounded by high mountain with snow and ice!

Nice view

Breath taking view that I will never forget. Also a must-see for Lord of the Rings fans.

New Zealand is a beautiful country I need visa

If heaven's a real thing🤔 this is what it would be like! Soooooo amazingly beautiful.

Mt. Aspiring, New Zealand 🇭🇲 👉 #NaturalbeautyoftheEarth

A lovely spot to spend a relaxing time in the hot tub whilst looking out over a little pond and enjoying the wildlife. Shame there aren't showers in the pods next to the hot tub (we were in 2) they may be in others though. We went straight after walking round the clay cliffs so a shower before we got in would have been great but I wasn't about to have one in the main building and run to the hot tub!

We came here as a stop by for our honeymoon, we had just come from a wet, cold, freezing Milford sounds which we had just spent $250 on a cruise. These hot tubs were God sent. This absolutely transformed our trip around, we would trade that $250 on the Milford cruise EVERYDAY. I cannot rate this place higher enough, the lovely lady we met while we were there on the 02/10 was amazing, engaging and supportive. The staff were exceptional. This will be a staple recommendation for when people ask us what to do on their South Island trips

Amazing hot tub & sauna! Private and peaceful, right next to a lovely pond with gorgeous view of the mountains. Perfect place to relax after a cold rainy day in Mt Cook. Very clean and well-maintained facilities. Highly recommended!

Nice wood heated hot tub experience. Pool very hot - added some cold water to adjust better for us- you can adjust the temp up or down. Pools are private and clothing optional. Pretty views over pond/ducks and to hills. You are given water to drink. You can buy drinks from them (full bar). No outside food or drink allowed. Private cold shower available at the tub or warm showers at main building for after. Towels are provided. The cold shower felt good though after getting so warm in tub. Really enjoyed our private hot tub experience.

AMAZING! Highly recommend a stop here if you're in the area. The tub was on the side of a lake with the snowy mountains in the distance, talk about views! Loved that the water is so fresh. Very cool the tubs are heated by fire too. The facilities were immaculate, very clean! Loved being able to jump out of the tub and have a fresh, cold shower, then hop back in the tub. Privacy was amazing, we had our own changing rooms. The staff were super friendly too, thanks!

My son and I popped in for a gorgeous 90min session two weeks ago. It had been a dream of mine to visit for at least a decade. I'm so glad we did! Such a beautiful experience - a nice hot tub with perfect post card views.. Thanks for having us. We'll be back next year 💛

Beautiful way to spend the morning, we booked the private sauna & Tub combo. Both hot and ready to go when we arrived. Cool shower outside the Sauna was great. A warm welcoming and clear instructions on arrival as well as towels to borrow which would be great for those passing through unprepared! A photo of the sauna as we struggled to find any online to show what kind of heater is used. Will definitely be back!

Since so many good reviews we make a special trip here to try. We have ordered the fresh salmon, some sushi's to try it. Salmon meat tasted good the the cut is thicker comparing to other restaurants. We tried the chicken sushi, personally find it is not that great. The indoor sitting area is not too big so could sit outside especially in warm day.

An absolute must visit! I am glad I came here. There is a sashimi and smoked salmon section with other goods like tea pots, souvenirs and then there is a cafe which overlooks the salmon farm. They have sashimi that tastes buttery and rich and smoked salmon with various flavours (really liked it). Inside the cafe they also serve sushi. If you go outside on the deck there are pellets that you can feed the young salmon. Overall, very pleasant experience. Staff were friendly and helpful. Thank you to the young lady in the fish shop and deli, you were helpful and also thank you to the tall young guy in the cafe.

Popped here for dinner whilst staying in twizel! There is a mix of preprepared food and menu items - seating is all self service! The food was very tasty we got a few things to share! The salmon was all very tasty! Only issue we had was my dad wanted a well done steak which they only cook their steak to be medium rare.

Had dinner at High Country Salmon near Twizel — great experience overall! The salmon sashimi was fresh, tender, and full of flavour. The chowder was a little on the salty side, but the ingredients tasted very fresh. The fries were perfectly cooked — crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. A nice spot to enjoy good salmon dishes with a lovely atmosphere by the water.

Unfortunately, this restaurant did not meet my expectations. While the salmon was fresh, the sushi itself was cold and tasted as though it had been pre-prepared. I ordered the cooked salmon sushi and the pork belly, but neither dish was enjoyable. The view is decent, but overall, the experience did not justify the visit. I do not plan on returning.

It is different that you order and pay for your food. You then find your own seats and they deliver you with the food. We ordered platter for two. Nice presentation but if you are there for the salmon, order salmon sushi or sashimi only which we should have done. We stayed at Mount Cook Hermitage and this Salmon restaurant would be the closest at 60 km away. Also it is 3km from Twizel, a small village from Mount Cook that you can get reasonable priced food.

Came after the hype and the place was busy with people when we got there. We had to line up for quite long for food orders. When it was our turn the server told us that their kitchen was closed as they had too many orders to make and couldn’t make new orders anymore. We were very disappointed of course as we came all the way to try their salmon and all we could get was anything ready at the counter. We got some sashimi and sushi for sharing. Honestly they tasted average though salmon was fresh. They had a pond behind the restaurant where you could feed the fishes in it. We quickly finished our lunch as the place was busy and people were waiting for seats. We then went over to the shop next to the restaurant to have a look at what they sell.

A magical experience on this river safari! My family had a wonderful time, all thanks to our wonderful guide Ruth. The weather was perfect, and we were blessed with really beautiful views throughout the tour. Can’t recommend this enough!

We went on a wet day, it was actually their first day back after being closed for the winter, but it was fabulous. Ruth, who greeted us at the office, and then later steered the boat, was friendly and very informative. She stopped the boat a few times to give us information of the area. She also provided us with a delicious morning tea which included apricot scones along the way. My husband and I really enjoyed it, and would recommend it to everyone.

We really enjoyed this tour. We selected it because of its longer duration and focus on nature compared with the adrenaline seeking nature of many of the other tours I looked at, and we got just what we expected. Our guide Ruth was very knowledgeable about the local area and flora/fauna, and you get several stops along the route where you get to take in the scenery. I also really like that you get to see both the mountains and the beach on this tour, quite unique. We traveled from Wanaka for a day trip, and the drive over Haast pass is well worth it. After the tour, we drove to Jackson Bay and had lunch at the Craypot (Ruth's suggestion), and I'd highly recommend adding that to your plans. Beautiful coastline and the seafood was outstanding. Overall, extremely happy we made the drive over for this tour.

I wish I can give them 10 stars for the review. The boat trip is super fun and informative. And the view along the river is beyond words... Highly recommend!!

We did the Jet boat trip y'day and what a fabulous Valentine's treat. Cheers go out to Wayne our driver who was very informative and supplying the lovely morning tea. It was drizzly rain which added to the ambience. The walk through the forest was stunning and easy walk. The Highlight of our trip to the south island 🤗😎🤩

We didn’t know what to expect from the River Safari, but it was absolutely amazing, a real highlight of our trip! Ruth was so knowledgeable and interesting, as well as being an expert pilot of our boat. The ride was spectacular, so beautiful and fascinating to hear about life in the area.

The Waiatoto River Safari was the hidden gem of our trip! It was a fun ride up the river in a jet boat. The water was amazingly blue, we stopped to take a look at the kiwi sanctuary, we went on a short bush walk, we had tea on the beach area that separated the river from the ocean. My husband and I enjoyed it immensely. Highly, highly recommended.

Lake Pukaki is perfectly positioned at the foot of Southern Alps. The scenery around will blow your mind away. We might have seen such pictures as the backdrop of calendars during my childhood. But never imagined such a beautiful place. The area is famous for Salmon & salmon farms too. This aquamarine colour due to the glacial flour will leave you mesmerized.

Pale water holds the mountain's gaze, A sheet of ice, in sunlit haze. The Southern Alps, in jagged crown, Reflect their snow on water down. The air is thin, the light is gold, A silence ancient, grand, and old. Upon the shore, the tussocks sigh, Beneath a vast and endless sky. Lake Pukaki, a turquoise gleam, The color of a waking dream. It drinks the melt from Tasman's feet, A glacial, breathtaking retreat.

Lake located on the road to Mt Aorangi, lake has some spectacular views and lookouts galore. Can see clear around the valley on a nice day.

It’s so beautiful here! You also can see Mount Cook in the distance.

Our coach passed beautiful Lake Pukaki on the way to Mount Cook, which became visible from quite a distance. The entire lake is an almost perfect and consistent aquamarine, from the glacial runoff silt.

Definitely worth a couple of visits! You can get even closer to the mountains when you drive towards Mount Cook. The lake is an endless body of turquoise blue. There is plenty of parking available. Toilet facilities are not the best though.

Beautiful place to have look on Mount Cook. It gives beautiful look with several other mountains. It's very big and spread in large area till Mount cook.. Drive along with this lake gives you a very sceneric beauty. Even if you wanna dark star view. Than it's a best place to see. By going more along with lake (not on main road) side road. You can get good spot which will give a broad view of sky and definitely you will get too many stars and planets (satellites too if you lucky enough).

This world-famous landmark has received countless praises — especially during lupin season, on every star-filled night, and in that iconic view where the cross in the window aligns perfectly with the deep blue of Lake Tekapo. And truly, it deserves every bit of that admiration. But what surprised me most is how stunning it becomes in harsh weather. I once visited during heavy snowfall, and the scene felt completely different: vast, silent, almost otherworldly. The sense of emptiness and solitude — like a landscape where “no birds fly over the endless mountains, and no footprints can be found on the snowy paths” — stands in sharp contrast to the usual crowds and bright, calm days. People often say you need good weather to enjoy a place, but for the Church of the Good Shepherd, every kind of weather is a unique stroke of luck. I’ve visited many times, and I know I’ll return many more times in this lifetime.

Small rustic church facing the magnificent lake tekapo. Would have loved to attend the Sunday sermons here if given the time and opportunity. Come early or later into the day where there are less crowds fo better photos.

Original we stopped by about 2pm but there were heaps of people, parking is crazy and it wasn’t easy to take pictures so we went back at 8:30pm for sunset and it was so much better. The church is closed and quiet and you can spend as long as you want taking pictures. Please be mindful this is a functioning church and you need to respect that!

Beautiful Church that was built by Anglicans but is used by different sects for worship. Plenty of parking but the church closes at 5pm for tourists. It is important for tourists to remember that it is a sacred place, I think the church should do more to ensure that people outside do not talk too loud. Otherwise, a beautiful location and cosy architecture.

Lovely little church on the edge of Lake Tekapo. Famous for just being a stone church is a beautiful location. We entered during a service so no internal photos but outside it is very picturesque. If you want a photo with no one around then I suggest an early morning visit as popular with the tourist coaches.

2nd time visiting this scenic place, after my 1st visit 8 years ago. Stands out for its solitude beside beautiful Lake Tekapo and the gorgeous mountains in the background. Much more crowded this time compared to many years ago. Still, a not to be missed place.

Even though we visited in early November — and came for sunrise, sunset, and even during the night for some stargazing — there were still quite a lot of people around, which is understandable though. At a certain hour the area around the church gets closed off, so afterward you can only walk around the fence, but it’s nothing too inconvenient. There’s a beautiful photo spot by the water just behind the church.

Booked thr GYG. Thanks helicopter line for the awesome experience on the Heli Hike on 24th Sept 11am (really thankful for the good weather too). We had 2 guides with us and they were both very informative and caring. Appreciate the smooth heli ride too.

Kia ora, Thanks for your arrangement that I DO enjoyed the activity. I never see such magnificent views , that is more than awesome. Emma from Alpine Guides is really a thoughtful and professional instructor,Scott and Andy are also with kindness to inspire me up, that did release me from nervous mode. I hope we can meet up again. Sincerely, Helen

Honestly, the experience itself was decent, but the reason I’m rating three stars is I can’t help but feel like this was a bit of a tourist trap… and I left feeling slightly cheated. For about $1000 per person you get taken on a very short helicopter ride to do a 100m “hike” on Tasman Glacier. The hike isn’t really a hike, more a very short walk to two “caves” in the glacier. One of the caves was completely man made with pickaxes - which isn’t what this company advertises. The ice caves themselves look NOTHING like they do in the photos on the website - in reality they are very small and barely enough for one person. They’re not even really “caves” at all, more like just small holes in the ice that the guides carve out seats in If this experience were half the price it was I would still say it was overpriced. You are not going to get the grand meters tall ice walls they show you in the brochure Our guides on the other hand were great, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic - which is the reason I did not give two stars. If you’re debating doing this trip because of the high price, I’d say skip it and save your money - there’s so much other great stuff to spend your money on in the South Island Also, guys, for $1000 it would be nice if you supplied boots in all sizes - I had to wear boots that were nearly two sizes too big. What are we doing here?

Simply amazing glacial walk experience with the best guide one would ever wish for - Narly. He seems to be a bit of a local legend having been up Mt Cook 45 times and even Everest! Extremely insightful experience which shows the real dynamic nature of glaciers.

Had a great flight of 55minutes. Sam was a very friendly pilot, he could tell us a lot about what we were seeing and the entire flight went super smooth. There was almost no wind so he joked it was quite easy to give us this wonderful flight but still I think he was very experienced and I felt absolutely safe.

Our guide, Carey, was amazing and watches over our safety really closely. He’s very engaging and made all of our comfortable from the beginning. High recommend this tour to view the tasman glacier as you’ll be in good hands.

Went helihiking with Brian. Great hike, easy and interesting. Brian really knows his stuff. Made the walk back to Glenntanner an incredible experience.

Absolutely stunning view of Tekapo and the MacKenzie Country. Be aware though that the road may be closed at anytime due to bad weather particularly windy weather so watch out for that. Would definitely recommend to anyone who likes looking out over the world.

The place was very interesting! We leaned about the telescopes and the astrophotography viewings. The area was really beautiful! The cafe's food was also great!

This is a ABSOLUTE MUST see if you visit Lake Tekapo. Make time to come up here on a sunny day and see for MILES around. The view from the top is INSANE. See the pics that I posted. We visited, luckily on a CRYSTAL CLEAR sunny day and it was AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL..... There is also a cafe at the top where you can have coffee and some snacks/food to enjoy while you are up there

A good place to have coffee from Astro Cafe. The entrance to the complex cost 8 NZD. The view from the top is beyond stunning. You can watch how visitors of all origins posing for pictures in different styles; this alone is also interesting in addition to the view.

Beautifull sights over Lake Tekapo from Here. Just do not take the car to get here, you’ll be charged 8 dollars. Walk the track starting from close to the tekapo springs, it’ll be way more fun with even better views (away from the insta crowd) if you’ll do the full round when going back along the lake. Rec with nice weather!

I'm sure the view is spectacular but the $14 road users fee to get there and see essentially no more than what I've seen on the way here (Mnt Cook and surrounds) for free I couldn't justify it. Would have bought breakfast and coffee whilst up there otherwise. 4 stars due to road fee.

The 2hour hike path was worth it! Not too difficult and got to see the great view on the way up! We drove up again, very nice views with a lovely cafe up there!

The museum is dedicated to Sir Edmund Hillary while he was in Aoraki training in preparation for his ascent on Everest. It also has the 1st glacier landing plane located there. Awesome 👌

This is attached to the hermitage hotel it has a large shop selling hiking gear but quite expensive it has very few general items. The cafe on the first floor is welcome after the hiking but can get very crowded when the tours return. There is a small museum

My wife is really interested in Sir Edmund Hillary and we were really interested in visiting the museum. Don't bother. Most of the museum talks above the alpine centre and area itself. Yes, I find that somewhat interesting, but paying $25 per adult I thought I'd get more. Get a free month on Netflix and watch some documentaries instead.

Save yourself $25 and just don't bother with this. Vaguely interesting yes but at the end of the day it is poorly presented and isn't much more than a small collection of books and photos. So much more could be done to present the story of this man in an amazing way. Until then save yourself the money

We were only visitors for a short stay. Haven't made good use of this centre. You can get information here and can also buy supplies for the climbing the snow mountains. There' s also a museum and movie to watch. It's a pity that we didn't have time to enjoy all these. Hope I can stay a few days here next time when I came.

A great perspective o the history of the nz Alps and sir Edmund Hilary.

Tourist trap. You spend there 20 minutes for $25. Mount Cook National Park visitor centre nearby is much better and free.

Been planning this visit for 2 years now. Finally got the chance to go but unfortunately the Hooker Valley Track has been closed from the first bridge onwards. It is set to open Autumn 2026. So hopefully we make it for that next year. Otherwise, everything was so stunning. Seeing Mt.Cook right in front of me made me feel some sort of emotion- i cannot describe . I will definitely be going again in the winter.

If you are in New Zealand and you didn’t visit Mount Aoraki then it is a bog miss, not fulfilled of your trip. It is a mind blowing view from any place, the road trip is awesome and refreshing journey. The picture you will be taken will not present how beautiful the serenity is. Just be there, spend some time, be quiet, make your own way, stop somewhere and breathe.

Wonderful, soring mountains, glacier and native bush walks. Can be busy, but tracks are well built for the numbers. Take your time to soak or all in. DOC information centre worth a visit for informative display.

The Aoraki/Mt Cook NP Visitors Center is one of the best I have ever explored. I have a particular interest in exploration, trekking, and history of those activities. If you do too, it is well worth an hour or so of your time. Mt Cook has been a proving ground for great mountaineers and the center documents many of those who passed through. The presentations on rescues was fascinating too. It was also the first I've seen that gives props to the first women explorers. First females, essentially climbing in dresses, had great stories.

This tourist center is worth a visit for everyone. It showcases the history, development and construction process of Mt. Cook, as well as the protection of the mountain's environment and wildlife.

While we were watching the movie (which is very interesting!), we essentially got kicked out of the building at 11:30AM by the tenant, because it’s here lunch hour!!!! So my understanding is that no matter how many people are in there (we must have been about 20 or more, the parking is full), she emptied the building so she can have here lunch. I’m fine with people taking a break, don’t get me wrong, but isn’t there a better way to treat visitors who drove hours to get there? This is an internationally famous area, with loads of visitors year round! While the video explains how proud the Kiwis are about Aoraki Mount Cook, a Kiwi kicked if out of the visitor center! Now, this being said, if you can get in when it’s open, it’s beautiful in there, great book shop and exhibitions. But here we are in the car, watching groups after groups get turned around at the door!!

Free visitor center with loads of information on Mount Cook and Tasman Glacier. We were planning on visiting the famed Hooker Valley trail but its closed again. This visitor center will keep you occupied for at least 15 mins if you are keen on history and geography. Highly recommend!

Visited Hooker Valley in September 2025, and it was one of the most stunning walks we’ve ever done in New Zealand! The trail is well-marked, flat and accessible, making it perfect for all ages. Along the way, we crossed three beautiful suspension bridges, each offering unique perspectives of the surrounding mountains and rivers. The scenery is constantly changing, from braided glacial rivers and tussock-filled valleys to snow-capped peaks of Aoraki / Mount Cook. The highlight of the walk is Hooker Lake itself, with its turquoise waters and icebergs floating gently on the surface. The view of Mount Cook reflecting on the lake was breathtaking — truly a picture-perfect moment. Even though it was early spring, the air was crisp and refreshing, and there were still patches of snow that added to the dramatic landscape. We spent time at the lake, taking photos and enjoying the peacefulness of the area. The trail is about 10 km return but it feels easy thanks to the well-maintained path and gentle terrain. Hooker Valley Track is a must-do for anyone visiting Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. It’s accessible, scenic and offers some of the best alpine views in New Zealand. Highly recommended for nature lovers and photographers alike!

Hooker Valley Track – Absolutely Breathtaking! We were blessed with great weather — clear skies but a bit chilly, which made the walk refreshing! Only the first bridge was open during our visit, so it was a shorter trail (about 15 minutes each way, 30 minutes total), but still totally worth it. The view was absolutely breathtaking — snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear water, and that stunning Mt Cook backdrop. Even with the limited access, it’s a must-visit spot for anyone heading to the area. ❄️✨

Good place to trek. Exceeded my expectations. It was a lovely sunny day when I went and I had a good enjoyable exercise day. 2 of the bridges were still closed but it's still worth going. Not difficult to walk. I saw people with wheelchairs along the way. Highly recommended.

Hike was done in early Oct , 2nd swing bridge is closed so we didnt find the terrain too difficult. Very scenic. Great weather on the day we hiked so all was good. Highly recommended.

Stunning scenarios and views. Would reccomend to go on a hike here. We came during spring, the weather was good, there wasn't much of a crowd and the air was fresh and clean. The hiking trails are decent, safe, and can be easily spotted so its really hard to get loss.

This world-famous track is all over social media on a blue-sky day, but honestly, it’s just as stunning when the weather turns moody — cloudy or light rain gives the whole valley a dramatic, almost mystical vibe. Of course, if it’s pouring down or snowing heavily, it’s better to stay away for safety reasons. And on a foggy day, visibility gets so low that walking into the valley kind of defeats the purpose. The track itself is medium-level at most. With some basic gear you can easily finish it. Still, whether it’s summer or winter, make sure you bring proper layers and rain protection — the weather in the valley isn’t exactly four-seasons-in-one-day, but it can be as unpredictable as someone in love. The swing bridges, the glacier lake and the Hooker River are absolute highlights — not that you can miss them anyway. If you’re lucky, you might catch a full view of Aoraki / Mt Cook, but most of the time the summit hides behind the clouds. And if you ever get to witness the golden glow on the peak at sunrise or sunset, that’s pure magic — a real blessing. Trust me, unless the track is closed or visibility is dangerously low, spending around four hours here is worth it at any time.

it was a bit crowded when we visited in the beginning of march, but we were lucky to get a parking slot 😅 the way leads you through the stunning scenery of the mountains along the amazing glacier river until the lake - no steep part, it goes up and down in a really easy way and is mostly flat... also some boardwalk parts and three swing bridges to cross the river 😍🥰 definitely a must-do👍🏻✨️

This was truly a once in a lifetime experience. We were so lucky to have the opportunity to e-bike and hike towards the Fox Glacier with two incredible guides giving us an unforgettable and humbling experience with mother nature at her best. Billy and Jake were amazing guides and this experience will always be something I will cherish forever. ❤️

Our morning helihike was cancelled due to poor weather but they were able to reschedule us for the same afternoon when the rain cleared. What a surreal experience 🥹❄️ surrounded by deep blue crevasses and endless peaks, our guide Jake worked tirelessly to carve a way through the ice 🧊 for us. What an absolute legend. Sadly, it’s unlikely Fox Glacier will survive its current form for future generations due to warming temperatures so knowing the glacier is retreating makes this even more special for us. A rare moment in time we will never forget.

This was one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life, let alone in my trip to NZ! The preparation and safety briefing beforehand was thorough and professional. The helicopter ride was amazing. Then we got to spend around three hours on the glacier, hiking around, climbing up and down carved ice steps, drank glacier water straight from the source, and squeezed and slid through an ice cave. Massive thanks to our awesome guide, Serena. This was truly unforgettable and worth every penny!

Really a must try activity in NZ though it’s kinda expensive. But for the helicopter ride and 3 hours of hiking on the glacier, I would say it’s worth it. I feel safe throughout the activity and they provide good and ample attire and equipments to ensure you are safe and dry. The guides and the service staffs at the check in are all very professional and friendly.

We had an amazing glacier hike with our guide Keely! She was professional, super friendly, and made the experience unforgettable. We felt safe, learned a lot, and had so much fun. Highly recommend!

My experience was a dream. The check-in person was very clear with all the information, also the briefing pre-flight has all the needed info. The gear is very good quality. The helicopter flight is short but so much fun. Our guide was so professional and nice. He actually made sure that everyone was wearing all the gear correctly and made sure to clearly explain how to use everything. If he saw somebody struggling on the hike, he made sure to give quick tips to make their hike more comfortable (How to walk, how to properly use the walking poles...) I felt super safe at all times. I actually got worried when we arrived to the glacier because I thought the hike was going to be too hard for me but it was actually very nice. Even though we went up higher than usual (I had a very small group) I was so ready to keep going! I loved that there was no rush, they gave you enough time to take pictures and enjoy the view, but they also made sure to keep us on track so we could enjoy as much as possible. He took us to cool little ice caves and gave us a lot of fun facts. We were joined by a sherpa that has been there for 20 years who helped us go trough the toughest parts of the path. I think this was my favorite think I did in my 3 week trip to NZ.

As a wheelchair user, I was blown away to find out there was not only a way to get up on a glacier, but to actually get out on the glacier and explore. Everyone at Fox was amazing in facilitating my accessible adventure. I genuinely sensed that they were as excited as I was to be able to make this a reality. I felt safe the whole time and had an unforgettable three hours on the glacier. Heitor and Fiona and everyone else were delightful. I highly recommend it. #accessible

West Coast Wildlife Centre is an absolute must-visit if you’re in the area. The staff are so passionate and knowledgeable, it’s clear they care a lot about the conservation of local wildlife - especially the endangered kiwi. A lot of work goes into protecting and supporting the local kiwi population, and now the local penguin community too. A visit to the centre as of 18th October ‘25 now includes a walk through the kiwi habitat and the newly opened penguin enclosure, where the team provide a safe space for the little blue penguins who wouldn’t survive in the wild to live their best life. You’ll learn a lot and see some truly adorable local NZ wildlife. 10/10 absolutely recommend.

Really interesting place to visit in Franz Josef. There are lots of outdoorsy activities to get involved with in this area but if you ever the weather is nit so good, or youre lookjbv for something different to do, and recommend this place. We booked the VIP entrance which gave us access to the kiwi egg incubating/ area and hatching and Tuatara back area. You will see kiwis, Tuatara and little penguins on the standard entrance ticket. It was fascinating and the host was full of interesting facts and info. This is not a zoo. The work being done here is in conjunction with Govt departments and is all about conservation. You will learn alot about these unique animals. You get a chance to see kiwis in as near to a natural environment as is possible. As such, I would not recommend for those with toddlers, as the kiwi area is dark and you are expected to be very quiet in order to catch a glimpse. You choice though. However, there are Kororoa / little penguins to make up for it and they're easily accessible. Coffee area and gift shop here too. Would recommend.

Amazing experience! If you have a rainy day in Franz Josef and looking for an indoor activity, book yourselves the vip backstage tour. In our tour, we learned about the kiwi conservation efforts and even got to see a 23 day old kiwi behind glass being weighed, absolutely adorable. All exhibitions were extremely interesting but the regular kiwi and penguin exhibition was the highlight! Kiwis are kept in dark rooms and they were so easy to spot and very active when we visited. Little blue penguins are so social and curious! Could’ve watched them for hours. 10/10 experience.

Part of our organize tour, we visited this wildlife center .. we got to see the blue penguins, the guide gave us so much information about them , very interesting.. then we had to be quiet , we entered a very dark room , no photos allowed but we were lucky enough to see a real kiwi in his habitat .. of course lots of teaching given .. as you exist , a gift shop awaits you..

If you are looking to learn about what makes New Zealand so special this is your place! We did the VIP backstage, which we HIGHLY recommend. Devin was very knowledgeable and most importantly extraordinarily excited about his work! You could feel the passion oozing out of him. Seeing rare species and learning about the hard work this centre is doing to preserve it was amazing. A must do!

An absolutely wonderful place to learn about and see kiwis, the backstage tour where you can see the kiwi eggs and learn more about how they get and incubate them was definitely worth it! Their gift shop also has a vast selection of kiwi and NZ themed items as well. Highly recommend for anyone in the area or driving through. The penguins and extremely unique Tuataras were also really cool!

I have to agree with some of the lower starred reviews. This was a very expensive experience for not a lot of value. We arrived late in the day, on a wet day…the (2) kiwis on show that day were elusive and the penguins were in their burrows so we didn’t get to see them at all. Would have liked to have learnt more about the rescue operation but it was all based on reading panels which weren’t very engaging - more videos of the kiwis programmes would have been better. If you want a decent experience buy the Backstage pass maybe and be there for the penguin feeding - otherwise very $$$$ for what it was. Took all of 15 minutes to see what we could. And sorry but the exhibits are just not modern or interactive enough for the value.