Visiting the church at Lake Tekapo
The Church of the Good Shepherd stands on the shore of Lake Tekapo, a short walk from the village across the footbridge. It is an interdenominational church that still holds regular services, not a museum or a photo set. Visitors are welcome on the grounds during the day. Keep in mind that people also come here to pray.
The grounds open every day, but the inside of the church does not. Volunteers may open it from Wednesday to Sunday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and there is no guarantee for any given day. There is no fixed entry fee. The church asks for a donation of NZD 5.
Opening hours, services and the donation
Times and amounts for 2026.
| What | When | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Grounds, daylight saving time | 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. | No access inside the fence at night |
| Grounds, winter time | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | No access inside the fence at night |
| Inside of the church | Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | May open, run by volunteers, no guarantee |
| Sunday service | Sundays, 4 p.m. | – |
| Catholic mass | Last Sunday of the month, 6 p.m. | Not May to July |
| Donation | NZD 5 | Asked for, not a ticket |
Private ceremonies can close the grounds or the church for up to 2 hours. Weddings take place here as regular church ceremonies. If the inside is open when you arrive, see it as a bonus rather than part of the plan.
Our pick: the church on a Mount Cook route
This one-way trip stops at the Church of the Good Shepherd on the way to Queenstown.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours that include the Church of the Good Shepherd
Day trips that stop at the lakeside church, plus stargazing and scenic flights from Tekapo, with live prices and availability.
Photo and drone rules
The church welcomes photos outside. Inside, the camera stays away.
No photos inside
Visitors may not take photos inside the church. Put the camera away before you go in.
No drones
The church does not allow drones at the church or in the village.
Stay on the paths
Use the paths around the church, respect the fences and do not walk on the plants. This also applies in the lupin season.
Professional shoots
Professional photography needs permission and costs NZD 100 for 30 minutes. It is not allowed on Sundays and gives no exclusive use of the site and no access at night.
Night photos of the church under the stars are popular, but the fenced area is closed after dark. Take them from outside the fence. Our stargazing guide explains the light rules in the dark sky reserve, and the Lake Tekapo tours page lists the guided night tours.
The sheepdog statue by the lake
On the shore of Lake Tekapo, a statue of a sheepdog stands on a rock. It honours the working dogs of sheep farming in the Mackenzie Country. The dog shown is a collie.
Read the memorial as a tribute to all the working dogs of the region rather than to one named dog. The statue is free to visit, and the same rules as at the church apply: stay on the paths and leave the plants alone.
The history of the sheep stations around the lake is on our page on the history of Lake Tekapo.
History of the Church of the Good Shepherd
Foundation stone, dedication and architect.
The foundation stone was laid on 15 January 1935, and the Bishop of Christchurch dedicated the church on 3 August 1935. The architect R. S. D. Harman drew the plans from sketches by Esther Hope. The church is interdenominational.
One detail links the church to the village's past: a cupboard in the vestry is made from the timber of the earlier bridge over the lake outlet, which was demolished in 1954. The footbridge you cross today is a separate, much newer structure.
Getting to the church: parking and toilets
The easiest way is on foot from the village.
Park in the village
The church recommends parking on the village side of the footbridge and walking across. Parking on Pioneer Drive next to the church is very limited.
Village guide →Toilets
The nearest public toilet is about 400 m away on the village side, where the charge is NZD 1. The council is moving more public toilets to a user-pays model, so carry a coin or card.
Combine your visit
The church fits well with a walk along the lakeshore or an afternoon at the hot pools. Many day tours between Christchurch and Queenstown also stop here for a short break.
Things to do →If you continue towards the Southern Alps, our sister guide covers Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Church of the Good Shepherd: frequently asked questions
Is there an entry fee for the Church of the Good Shepherd?
No. There is no fixed entry fee, but the church asks for a donation of NZD 5.
Is the church open every day?
The grounds are open daily, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in daylight saving time and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter. The inside may open from Wednesday to Sunday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., without a guarantee.
Can I take photos inside the church?
No. Photos inside are not allowed. Outside you can take photos from the paths. Professional shoots need permission.
Can I fly a drone at the church?
No. The church does not allow drones at the church or in the village.
Can I visit the church at night?
No. The fenced area is closed at night. You can see the church from outside the fence.
When are services held?
There is a service on Sundays at 4 p.m. A Catholic mass is held on the last Sunday of the month at 6 p.m., except from May to July.