New Zealand Church of Good Shepherd - Lake Tekapo
This is a very famous and beautiful place in New Zealand on the edge of Lake Tekapo, and probably the best place in the world to see the sky at night.
Photography Tips
If you have not shot the night sky before, do some research and practise before getting here. A tripod is a must and a fast prime lens helps.
If you are planning to shoot the night sky, try and plan your trip to be here around a new moon. The darker the shoes, the better you can see the stars.
If you are planning to shoot the night sky, try and plan your trip to be here around a new moon. The darker the shoes, the better you can see the stars.
Travel Information
Be prepared to be one of the hundreds of photographers at night. It is not uncommon to see 50 tripods lined up in front of it in the wee hours of the morning.
This is a mountainous area. The weather can change rapidly, both for the better and the worse. The sky can go from completely cloudy to completely clear in 1/2 an hour. Don’t give up on the night if it looks cloudy.
This is a working church. As of 2019, Given the volume of tourists and the lack of respect shown, a fence around the church was built and the area is guarded by a security person who asks you to leave when the night is closing in.
This is a mountainous area. The weather can change rapidly, both for the better and the worse. The sky can go from completely cloudy to completely clear in 1/2 an hour. Don’t give up on the night if it looks cloudy.
This is a working church. As of 2019, Given the volume of tourists and the lack of respect shown, a fence around the church was built and the area is guarded by a security person who asks you to leave when the night is closing in.
Spot Type
Outdoor
Crowd Factor
A decent amount of people
Best Timing
Blue hour/at night in summer
Sunrise & Sunset
05:49 - 21:22
| current local time: 01:35
Photo Themes
Church
Lake
milky way
Mountains
stars
tekapo
Locations
Lake Tekapo
Canterbury
South island
Spot Comments (3)