Fri, 6th Mar, 2026 (part1) O’Neils Reserve free camp, near Cave to Lake Ruataniwha free camp, near Twizel, NZ (Lakes Tekapo & Pukaki)

10 degrees in the camper and 8 outside when I got up and put the heater on. Clear blue sky.

7.25am - the sun is peeking through the trees, now 11 degrees outside. Nice 18 degrees inside now.

Headed out and continued through farm land to little township of Cave. Checked out quaint All Saints Church.

No signs guiding us to where the cave is that the township is named after.

Continued on into the valley between the mountains with the Tengewai River is flowing along the base of one. Nice mountain view as we cross the river.

Lovely ‘Peace Avenue’ as we enter Fairlie - a bigger town. Spotted some alpacas.

Continued on towards the Southern Alps. Passed the turn off to Mt Dobson ski area as we continue winding through the hills.

Into Burkes Pass village, est 1859. St Patricks is the oldest Union Church in NZ, built 1872.

30kph roadworks through the pass. Sign said ‘Burkes Pass 709m elevation’.

More mountains appear in the distance with grassy low hills around us in the valley. Turned off to check out the lookout. No info but impressive view and sculpture. The moon is still up - can just see it between the legs of the sculpture.

View to Alps, zoomed in on some with snow. Bit nippy so we put our coats on.

Crossing lots of clear water streams. Another mountain view.

Down the hill for our first view of blue Lake Tekapo.

Pulled into the lookout park first. Used the dump point provided - there are plenty available throughout NZ, very camper/caravan friendly over here as long as you are self-contained and have your sticker on your vehicle. Interesting though you have to $1.50 to use the actual toilets. Homes/holiday places up the hillside.

Checked out the history boards.

Up onto a small rise to admire the view.

Drove along the foreshore, spotted a house that had 1929 on the gable then found a park near the Collie Statue.

Walked down to the stone Church of the Good Shepherd (1935).

I came here with the tour in 82. We must have been allowed photographs back then as I have one of the view from the altar.

Continued along the path and over the bridge. Milky blue water from the Glacier Flour catching the light. The dam wall for power scheme.

Back to camper for a cuppa. The sun has warmed us up so got rid of the jumpers. Plenty of tourists about.

Across the ‘dam bridge’ - water not flowing from the control gates.

Through the ‘village’ then back to the brown grassy hills with patches of pines.

Through wide open valley. Over a rise as we turn towards Lake Pukaki - nice view.

Mountains getting closer, these don’t have snow. Further north is the snow capped ones.

First view of Lake Pukaki. Another beautiful blue lake. It is very long too and is fed from Mt Cook and Tasman Lake.

Pulled into the lookout car park - amazing view.

Mt Cook in distance (3724m - NZ highest mountain). Fantastic to get such a beautiful clear day.

Alongside the south end of Lake Pukaki and over the spillway.

Then the outlet canal.

Right turn onto the road to Mt Cook and along the west side of Lake Pukaki. Very picturesque drive. We entered at Conservation Park then passed a lavender farm. Across many small streams of clear water coming down from the mountain on our left.

We are nearly at the end of the lake water here. Appears to be channels of water coming down through the gravel to flow into the lake here - most appears to be on the other side.

Closer to the snow on the mountains now on our left.

Across a one lane bridge - pure snow water?

Through village of Glentanner at the top of Lake Pukaki. Very windy through here. I keep taking photos of Mt Cook in case the clouds come over before we get there. The other mountains are majestic too.

View up gorge then across Bush Stream on another one way bridge.