The Church of the Good Shepherd
The Church of the Good Shepherd
The Church of the Good Shepherd
4.5
About
The Church of the Good Shepherd is situated on the shores of Lake Tekapo amongst the natural beauty of the lake and the mountains. The Church of the Good Shepherd was built to the glory of God as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie Country. "Somehow the setting and the church combine to speak of God to those who enter and pause in the midst of their busy lives." - Peter Hurricks NO PHOTOS INSIDE Please do not use cameras, cellphones or tablets inside the church so that others may enjoy as is a place of prayer and reflection. PLEASE REMOVE YOUR WASTE There are no toilet or rubbish collection facilities in the area around the church so we kindly ask that visitors remove their waste and respect the natural environment around the church.
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- Stephen NHong Kong, China354 contributionsThe Church plus Lake Tekapo view, it's stunningThe Church of the Good Shepherd situated beside Lake Tekapo, the church itself was already very beautiful. Plus the background of Lake Tekapo, it was really stunning and amazing. The church is actually a must visit site of South island.Visited March 2023Traveled with friendsWritten December 20, 2023
- Brian TNambucca Heads, Australia494 contributionsNot to be missedThis is a very quaint historic church in a stunning lakeside location. We were lucky to hear about a small a mini Celtic guitar concert taking place during our stay and lucky to obtain a seat as I doubt the church seats more than about 40 people. The concert was great and the ambience was wonderful. We also attended one of their regular 4.00pm non-denomination Christian church service every Sunday which was another highlight of our time at Lake Tepako.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 8, 2024
- Skywalker102014San Francisco, California245 contributionsStill has servicesI really enjoyed stopping at the charming little church of the good shepherd when we drove up to Mt. Cook. Such a beautiful little stone building sitting picturesquely lake side. Even got to peek in the window facing the lake and mountain. So inspiring.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 14, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,133 reviews
Excellent
1,051
Very good
735
Average
297
Poor
35
Terrible
15
rosemary marriott
Napier, New Zealand40 contributions
Jun 2021
This iconic church with the most scenic setting of any church in NZ has been fenced off - but still possible to take a close up photo without getting the fence in the way - and closed up unless you can get a group of 5 or more to pay $10 a head to enter it. What a travesty from the vision that the pioneer families had of a welcoming place to experience God's love. As a descendent of those with this vision I found it disappointing not to be able to enter and see the family plaque on one of the pews. But unfortunately it is in keeping with overcharging for various attractions in this money focused tourist trap that Tekapo has become and with charging for public amenities such as toilets and the road to Mt John. As a child of the MacKenzie Country I felt a stranger in my old home town.
Written July 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jayne893
Greater Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Such a shame - I visited 20 years ago to this gorgeous spot but it is now completely riddled with tourists. This doesn’t seem to have happened anywhere else on our trip, but here it’s newly built overpriced accommodation, overpriced restaurants serving average food, and bus loads of crowds. They mill around the gift shops (selling overpriced tat) and cram into the church. If you prefer a nicer, quieter view, drive to Pines Beach or further to Lake Alexandrina. It’s been the low point of an otherwise wonderful tour of NZ.
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keane7342
Santa Barbara, CA13 contributions
Jan 2020
I'd wanted to visit Church of the Good Shepherd for quite awhile, and I finally had my chance last week. However, I wish I had never gone - the number of rude, loud, aggressive Chinese tourists completely took away the magic of the area. They push themselves into every shot you try to take, yelling at each other the entire time. I felt really bad for the people trying to pray inside the church; it was complete chaos just outside the front door.
While you're at it, avoid the cafe on top of the hill (Astro Cafe) - it's even WORSE. Imagine all 200 of those church tourists packed into a hot room and posing like they are models on every rock within a 1km radius of the cafe....
Tekapo as a whole was an awful experience. Really sad, because it's such a beautiful place.
While you're at it, avoid the cafe on top of the hill (Astro Cafe) - it's even WORSE. Imagine all 200 of those church tourists packed into a hot room and posing like they are models on every rock within a 1km radius of the cafe....
Tekapo as a whole was an awful experience. Really sad, because it's such a beautiful place.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FestivalGanger
Christchurch, New Zealand32 contributions
Feb 2021
Used to be 5 stars but now 1 star is more than it deserves. Why? Because some moron thought it was a good idea to remove the spacious parking lot that used to be right in front of the church and replace it with some stupid little hill and just a handful of spaces to park your car. And only a car, not a motorhome or bus, the spaces are too short for that.
Then they've put an effing fence around the church. All those beautiful photos of the church at night, you can't take them anymore because of a locked fence. In typical Kiwi fashion the fence is yet another solution to a non-existing problem.
It seems like the city council of Tekapo has just gone bonkers in the last few years. That bridge they built has got toilets on one end, toilets that you have to PAY for! Who carries around $2 coins anymore? WHY do visitors need to pay to use the toilet? It's Kiwi logic, aka not logic at all.
Tekapo has become a stupid tourist trap with inflated prices and everything fenced off.
Avoid like the plague.
Oh and the church itself is closed most of the time.
Then they've put an effing fence around the church. All those beautiful photos of the church at night, you can't take them anymore because of a locked fence. In typical Kiwi fashion the fence is yet another solution to a non-existing problem.
It seems like the city council of Tekapo has just gone bonkers in the last few years. That bridge they built has got toilets on one end, toilets that you have to PAY for! Who carries around $2 coins anymore? WHY do visitors need to pay to use the toilet? It's Kiwi logic, aka not logic at all.
Tekapo has become a stupid tourist trap with inflated prices and everything fenced off.
Avoid like the plague.
Oh and the church itself is closed most of the time.
Written March 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gjim195
San Jose, CA122 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This church was designed so you could view the lake while in service. Very clean. Wonderful architecture. However, be patient with many many other tourists taking photos or walking in front of you while you are taking your photo n
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Toon
Eindhoven, The Netherlands298 contributions
Nov 2019
Small church in a beautiful location near Lake Tekapo and the surrounding mountains. It can be very busy with tourists who come quickly to take a photo and then leave. It is not allowed to take pictures in the church. It looks even better during the flowering of the lupins. The church was built in honor of God as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie land.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaffa B
Wellington, New Zealand82 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Good luck getting a photo. But honestly not really sure it's worth it anyway. The church is a cute and obviously we'll placed building but the tourists crawling all over it by the bus lads are just Muppets
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WayneAP
City of Greater Geelong, Australia3,587 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
The church is pitched high overlooking Lake Tekapo, from the outside it looks like new having been built out of local stone but the inside shows character of old with the timber pews and the exposed stone looking older.
We walked in and a person was handing out cards that had a Psalm 62:1-2 and a photo of the church from out on the Lake.
The grounds were immaculately done and the views were amazing.
Definitely worth dropping by for a look.
We walked in and a person was handing out cards that had a Psalm 62:1-2 and a photo of the church from out on the Lake.
The grounds were immaculately done and the views were amazing.
Definitely worth dropping by for a look.
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cliff J
London, UK2,084 contributions
Mar 2020
The Church of the Good Shepherd, located on the shores of Lake Tekapo is just so photogenic. The picture window behind the altar overlooking the lake just draws you eye and frames a fantastic view. The church itself was built/opened in 1935 as a memorial to commemorate early settlers to the area. Church services are held every Sunday and all are welcome.
Written April 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie P
United Kingdom1,974 contributions
Nov 2019
A very small and plain church which is being ruined by the vast amounts of tourists that flood in and out - especially tour groups. It's in an amazing position by the side of the lake which is what makes it so photogenic. There is parking nearby if you can get in or its a short walk from the town car parks.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Which month has the least number of tourists near the Church of the Good Shepherd?
Written April 16, 2024
A donation is asked for - but no set amount.
Written April 17, 2018
Is the car parking on the Pioneer Dr. ( just outside the church) still available for visitors to park their car?
I've done some research, saying that visitors need to park their car about 10 mins walk to the church, but while I search on google, I found that a car park area just outside the church. I'm a bit confused. Can someone help? Thx a lot.
Written April 4, 2018
When I was there in February, there was a small parking lot just outside the church and there was space available for visitors
Written April 13, 2018
Apparently they are blooming. My friends were there last weekend and took some beautiful photos.
Written November 19, 2017
beephengtan
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
See milky way with our naked eye and only place is at Lake Tekapo - Christchurch and when is the good time to visit NZ both North and SOuth island for a period of 14 days. Dear Traveller , appreciate your sharing. Thanks
Written March 28, 2017
I travelled in the South Island in September. You have to be prepared for cold weather, there were some snow falls which added to the beauty of the island. It rains a lot on the west coast of the South Island. The weather in Christchurch, Hanmer Springs, Picton, Wanaka and Lake Tekapo was fine.
Written November 20, 2017
Sorry I don't know. It is a working church and so there should be a website or the New Zealand tourist board should be able to assist.
Written March 16, 2017
Hello,
I am wondering if there is a Christmas Eve service or Christmas day service.
Thank you for any information you can provide.
Nancy
Written December 7, 2016
On the 24th Dec 11pm on the 25th 11am
Written December 8, 2016
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