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TEKAPO NOVEMBER <strong>2016</strong> 17<br />
Twinkle, Twinkle<br />
Earth & Sky operates their unique<br />
Stargazing and Observatory Tours<br />
at the University of Canterbury Mt<br />
John Observatory and Cowan’s<br />
Observatory in Lake Tekapo - in the<br />
heart of the Mackenzie Country.<br />
The region is famous for its clear and<br />
dark night skies.<br />
The township of Tekapo sits 750m<br />
above sea level and Mt John 1035m.<br />
Situated between two mountain<br />
ranges, the <strong>Southern</strong> Alps and the Two<br />
Thumb Range, the Mackenzie Basin is<br />
protected from most weather systems.<br />
The higher altitude gives rise to<br />
cooler mountain air making it New<br />
Zealand’s leading location for an<br />
Observatory and Stargazing.<br />
The resident Tekapo population<br />
of between 400-500 people<br />
contribute to minimizing the impact<br />
of light pollution by way of the local<br />
Mackenzie District Council’s lighting<br />
ordnance’s introduced in the 1980’s,<br />
which enforces all lights to be shaded<br />
preventing light emitting upwards<br />
into the sky, allowing researchers,<br />
locals and visitors an appreciation<br />
of our spectacular nightscape for<br />
generations to come.<br />
The region of the Mackenzie Basin<br />
was recognized as the ‘Aoraki-<br />
Mackenzie International Dark Sky<br />
Reserve’, in June 2012.<br />
It was the fi rst to be awarded a Gold<br />
Status for its quality of darkness and<br />
today remains the largest of all the<br />
eleven International Dark Sky Reserves<br />
in the world.<br />
Lake Tekapo is an awesome location<br />
with a truly magical star attraction.<br />
Earth & Sky prides itself on offering an<br />
award winning premium night time<br />
attraction to over 50,000 visitors from<br />
around the world.<br />
Showing fi rst-hand why Lake Tekapo<br />
provides the nation’s best and most<br />
out-standing window to our universe.<br />
Call 03 680 6960 now to book your tour or book online at<br />
www.earthandsky.co.nz.<br />
WHAT'S ON IN TEKAPO<br />
Tekapo is a lakefront jewel tucked<br />
into the folds of the <strong>Southern</strong> Alps.<br />
Half way between Christchurch and<br />
Queenstown, the vivid turquoise of Lake<br />
Tekapo is the result of finely ground<br />
rock particles in the glacial<br />
water and ensures it’s a<br />
dazzling destination<br />
whether it is dusted<br />
with snow or<br />
sparkling with<br />
sunshine.<br />
History, Mystery<br />
& Activity - Visit<br />
the magnificent<br />
lakeside Church<br />
of the Good<br />
Shepherd and<br />
the Mackenzie<br />
sheepdog memorial.<br />
Learn about the mystery<br />
of astronomy on a tour of<br />
Mt John Observatory or zip and<br />
zap on a Segway tour of the township.<br />
Gazing, Cruising & Exploring - Go<br />
stargazing to view the World Heritage<br />
Mackenzie skies at night and be<br />
dazzled by what you see with the<br />
naked eye. Take a cruise to Motuariki<br />
Island, Godley Valley and the hydro<br />
intake of Tekapo’s power station. Join<br />
a scenic flight to the glaciers or Mt<br />
Cook, a 4WD tour to the Tasman Valley<br />
or visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre at<br />
the Hermitage Hotel close to where<br />
he did much of his mountaineering<br />
preparation.<br />
Wining, Dining & Tasting - Diverse<br />
dining in Tekapo ranges from bakery<br />
and takeaway convenience to<br />
restaurant and café fare.<br />
Pizza, pasta, Japanese,<br />
Chinese and Koran<br />
cuisine vies with resort<br />
menus and a café<br />
with spectacular<br />
views atop Mt John. If<br />
you're in the mood for<br />
gastro-pub goodness,<br />
then treat yourself<br />
at Mackenzie Café,<br />
Bar and Grill or indulge<br />
in the taste of fresh<br />
or smoked salmon and<br />
sashimi at the Mt Cook Alpine<br />
Salmon Farm between Tekapo<br />
and Twizel.<br />
Stay, Play & Pamper - In Tekapo you<br />
can enjoy a tranquil holiday or stopover<br />
at accommodation ranging from camp<br />
ground, motels, holiday homes, B&Bs or<br />
resort facilities.<br />
Local activities include fishing, hiking<br />
and horse trekking while the Tekapo<br />
Springs complex offers year-round<br />
enjoyment of hot pools, plunge pools<br />
and spa treatments plus ice skating and<br />
ice slide in winter.<br />
COTTAGE APPEAL<br />
Lake Tekapo Cottages offer selfcontained<br />
holiday accommodation in<br />
one of the South Island’s most scenic<br />
settings that is a year-round destination<br />
for water sports, hot springs, skating, ski<br />
fields, scenic flights to Mount Cook and<br />
a World Heritage Night Sky attraction<br />
at Mount John.<br />
Nestled in a large garden amid<br />
mature trees, a selection of charming<br />
cottages of varying size, with stunning<br />
mountain views and plenty of privacy,<br />
the cottage accommodates two<br />
to eight guests. Enjoy a country-style<br />
stay with modern comforts and<br />
amenities close by. In addition to the<br />
self contained cottages, they also<br />
manage a number of well appointed<br />
rental holiday homes at www.<br />
laketekapocottages.co.nz.<br />
LAKE TEKAPO COTTAGES<br />
LAKE TEKAPO COTTAGES<br />
Cottage and holiday home style accommodation<br />
Spectacular mountain views | Excellent restaurants<br />
Affordable accommodation rates | Free Wifi<br />
Friendly, personal service for our guests<br />
Central location close to shops and church<br />
12 Sealy St, Lake Tekapo | Ph: (03) 680 6865<br />
laketekapocottages@gmail.com | laketekapocottages.com<br />
PROUD TO SERVE MEALS PREPARED WITH<br />
LOCALLY SOURCED INGREDIENTS<br />
NZ WINES, MONTEITH’S CRAFT BEERS,<br />
ALLPRESS ESPRESSO<br />
Enjoy great food and spectacular views in a beautiful<br />
environment. Casual café-style meals for lunch and a<br />
relaxed atmosphere for evening à la carte dining.<br />
For the guaranteed ‘hottest meal in town’ select from<br />
the Stonegrill menu! Dine alfresco over summer and<br />
stay cosy and warm by our fire in winter.<br />
Our menu changes seasonally, but you can always<br />
expect to find a great Mackenzie Country Steak and<br />
Alpine Salmon on offer.<br />
LAKE TEKAPO VILLAGE CENTRE<br />
PHONE 0800 806 886<br />
OPEN FROM 10.00AM, DINNER<br />
FROM 5PM, BREAKFAST<br />
EVERY DAY FROM 10.00AM<br />
EARTH & SKY<br />
Observatory & Stargazing Tours, Lake Tekapo<br />
Earth & Sky operate Stargazing and Observatory<br />
tours in the ’Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark<br />
Sky Reserve’ in beautiful Lake Tekapo. Visitors find<br />
enjoyment and entertainment through a ‘hands-on’<br />
experience as knowledgeable astronomy guides<br />
share the wonders of space while exploring the<br />
southern night sky using powerful telescopes.<br />
Tekapo’s renowned as the best site in New<br />
Zealand to view the Universe.<br />
Email: info@earthandsky.co.nz | Phone: 03 6806960 | www.earthandsky.co.nz | Booking advised
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