Lake Tekapo, New Zealand Road Trip

The first thing we did after picking up our campervan was shop for necessities for the trip. Shopping there made me realize that the cost of living in New Zealand is on a whole another level. We bought some juice, instant noodles, vegetables, and meat. I couldn’t help but feel that vegetables in Taiwan are far superior. Compared to what I’ve had abroad—which are often dry, small, and fibrous—Taiwanese vegetables are much sweeter and more tender.

By the afternoon, we finally hit the road. Since our flight on the first day had been delayed, our schedule felt a bit rushed. Our first stop was Lake Tekapo. Back when I was planning the trip, I was fascinated by the reviews of the Church of the Good Shepherd and the fact that it’s part of an International Dark Sky Reserve.

You could read our first day from the link below.

New Zealand Campervan Adventure (Part 1)

We were driving along State Highway 1, watching Christchurch gradually vanish in the rearview mirror. After we turned onto Route 79, it felt like we had entered a whole different world. There was no one in sight—just endless stretches of pasture on either side of the road, with cows and sheep grazing peacefully. This was exactly how I had imagined New Zealand. Surrounded by the infinite greenery, I felt completely at ease.

The kids were thrilled at the very beginning, but before long, they started to feel bored in the campervan. All they wanted was a playground. Fortunately, I had mentally prepared myself before the journey. Based on my experience, kids aren’t as interested in appreciating scenery as we are. All they need is a playground or an amusement park to get their adrenaline pumping.

We had a bit of a hiccup right after we hit the road. The campervan door wasn’t latched properly, and it swung wide open while we were driving. My wife turned into Tom Cruise—she lunged for the door and slammed it shut while we were still moving. It was a real ‘Mission Impossible’ moment! We learned the hard way that everything needs to be secured properly before we set off.

Our original itinerary had been disrupted by the flight delay on the first day. Fortunately, summer days in New Zealand are long. When we arrived at the Church of the Good Shepherd around 4 p.m., the sky was still brilliant. Among the countless lakes in New Zealand, Lake Tekapo is my favorite. The surface was tranquil and crystal clear, perfectly reflecting the blue sky. The kids couldn’t resist playing in the water, but even in summer, it still felt quite chilly for those of us from the subtropics.

The Church of the Good Shepherd is a Romanesque-style church built entirely of stone. As I looked at the countless rocks scattered along the lakeshore, I couldn’t help but wonder if the very stones beneath our feet were the ones used to raise its walls. Even though I am not a religious person, standing before it, I still felt a profound sense of spirituality.

Our campsite was located right next to the lake and offered excellent amenities, including playgrounds where the kids could burn off some energy. While my wife and I were preparing our first dinner in New Zealand, we felt completely worry-free letting the kids play on their own. We ended up eating at an outdoor picnic table, surrounded by nature—it was a true feast for the senses and an unforgettable memory. The only downside was the birds lurking nearby; if we let our guard down for even a second, they would swoop in and snatch our food.

You could find the campsite we stayed at Lake Tekapo below:

Lake Edge

My original plan was to visit the Mt. John Observatory for a glimpse of the starlit sky. But by the end of the day, exhaustion got the better of us. We decided to skip the trip and simply look up from where we were at the campsite. Even without the telescope, the view was breathtaking—it was enough to leave us in awe.

Nights in New Zealand can be chilly even in the summer, but fortunately, our campervan was equipped with space heaters that kept us nice and toasty. To be honest, I didn’t sleep very soundly on the first night. Even though the ground was flat, the van itself was tilted. I felt like I had to balance myself all night just to avoid rolling off the bed!

A friendly reminder: There are three main types of campsites in New Zealand.

During our trip, we stayed exclusively at Holiday Parks. They offer excellent amenities, including clean bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, playgrounds, dump stations, and power hookups, which made our experience truly hassle-free. These parks are incredibly popular, especially during the peak season, so I’d highly recommend making a reservation in advance.