Tekapo hot pools at a glance
The hot pools complex is at 300 Lakeside Drive, on the shore of Lake Tekapo. It has 3 hot pools at 36.5–38.5 °C, plus cooler pools and a children's aqua play area. The water comes from an underground spring and is not geothermal.
There are two main ways to visit. The day pass covers the pools during the day with re-entry, so you can leave for lunch or a walk and come back. The stargazing soak is a separate 90 minute night tour with a guide and telescopes. Normal bathing needs no reservation, but booking ahead is advised in school holidays and on public holidays.
Our picks: hot pools
The day pass suits a relaxed afternoon, the combo adds a guided telescope session, and the night soak has the pools to a small group.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. 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.
Hot pools and stargazing in one evening
- Guided telescope tour
- Floating hammock
- Hot chocolate or green tea
A guided stargazing session that ends in the hot pools, where you can look up from a floating hammock.
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Night soak in the hot pools with a stargazing guide
- Hot pools at night
- Floating hammock
- Warm wool blanket
The pools are reserved for a group of at most 32 people. Pickup from the village can be requested, depending on availability.
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All-day pass for the Tekapo Springs hot pools
- Multiple entries all day
- Three hot pool areas
- Adults-only pool
Come and go from opening to closing, and use the cooler pools and the aqua play area too. Sauna and steam rooms cost extra.
Check availability →Tekapo hot pools tickets and night soaks
Day passes with re-entry and stargazing soaks in the hot pools, with live availability.
Day passes and night soaks
What each ticket covers and who it suits.
Single day pass with re-entry
Valid from opening to closing on the day you choose. Keep your wristband and you can come back as often as you like. It includes the 3 hot pool areas, one of them adults only, the cooler pools and the aqua play area. Food, drinks, spa treatments and the sauna and steam rooms are not included. It suits anyone staying in or near the village for the day.
2-day pass
Two visits within 7 days, for travellers who stay longer. 2026 prices: adults NZD 67, seniors and students NZD 59, children NZD 40, family NZD 180, extra child NZD 27.
The stargazing soak
A 90 minute night tour with guided stargazing and telescopes, including about 35 minutes in a pool of 37.5–38.5 °C. Some versions add a floating hammock in the water, a warm blanket for the time outside and a hot drink. Minimum age is 10. It is not part of the day pass and must be booked.
All stargazing tours →Tekapo hot pools prices 2026
Day pass prices in NZD. Online prices on the cards above may differ.
| Ticket | Day pass | 2-day pass | Stargazing soak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | NZD 42 (16 to 59) | NZD 67 | NZD 179 (from 16) |
| Senior or student | NZD 37 (60+ or up to 25 with student ID) | NZD 59 | NZD 159 (60+ or up to 25 with ID) |
| Child | NZD 25 (3 to 15) | NZD 40 | NZD 115 (10 to 15) |
| Under 3 | Free | – | Not allowed |
| Family, 2 adults and 2 children | NZD 112 | NZD 180 | NZD 499 |
| Extra child with family pass | NZD 17 | NZD 27 | – |
For most day visitors the single day pass is enough, and re-entry means you can split it into a morning and an evening soak. Families staying two nights save with the 2-day pass. If you want the pools and the night sky in one go, book the stargazing soak instead.
Opening hours and booking
Standard hours; temporary notices on site take priority.
Hours
Monday to Friday 11:00 to 19:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 19:00. The pools open 364 days a year. Single pools can close for cleaning or swimming lessons, so check the notices before you go.
Reservations
Normal bathing works without a reservation. In summer and winter school holidays and on public holidays, booking ahead is advised. The spa, snow tubing and the stargazing soak should be booked in advance.
Getting there
Car and bus parking at the pools is free. On foot it is 2.8 km and about 30 minutes along the lakeshore from the road bridge to the hot pools.
Lake Tekapo village →Lake Tekapo hot springs or heated pools?
Many visitors call them the Lake Tekapo hot springs or the Tekapo thermal pools. The water is underground spring water and is not geothermal. The turquoise colour of the lake comes from fine rock particles in glacial meltwater, which has nothing to do with the pools.
Lake Tekapo spa, sauna and steam
Sauna, steam room and plunge pool come as an upgrade for NZD 15 (2026), from age 16 only. Towels, swimwear and bathrobes can be hired for NZD 10 each, plus a refundable deposit of NZD 25.
Children and safety
Children up to and including 6 years must stay within arm's reach of a companion aged 16 or older in the water. The hottest pool is for adults only.
Stargazing soak: nights, clouds and age limits
The rules for the night tour differ from the day pass.
Which nights
The soak runs 7 nights a week from October to April and 5 nights a week, Thursday to Monday, from May to September. Days can differ, so check the calendar when you book. Start times follow the darkness.
When it is cloudy
Cloud usually means a VR program instead of the telescope, and the soak goes ahead. For tours from 18 June 2026, certain fares get 25 percent back if telescope viewing is under 30 minutes; Economy, Premium and Premium Plus are excluded. If the operator cancels completely, you get an alternative or a full refund.
Age and clothing
Minimum age 10; younger children, including babies carried in arms, cannot take part. Bring closed shoes, long trousers and a warm jacket for the part outside the pool.
Ice skating and snow tubing in winter
Seasonal extras at the same complex.
The artificial ice rink runs in the cold months only. It usually runs from mid April or May to the end of August, depending on weather. The rink is closed for now and plans to return in April 2027. Helmets and skates are compulsory on the ice. Snow tubing is another seasonal offer, usually April to October, with 1 hour per ticket and a minimum height of 1 m. Neither runs all year, so check the season before you plan around it. More on the cold season is in the Lake Tekapo in winter guide.
Tekapo hot pools: frequently asked questions
How much is a day pass for the Tekapo hot pools?
In 2026, NZD 42 for adults, NZD 37 for seniors and students, NZD 25 for children aged 3 to 15 and NZD 112 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children. Under 3 is free.
Can I leave and come back on the same day?
Yes. The day pass allows re-entry during opening hours on that day. Keep your wristband.
Are the Tekapo pools natural hot springs?
No. The water is underground spring water and is not geothermal.
Is stargazing included in the day pass?
No. The stargazing soak is a separate 90 minute night tour with its own ticket and a minimum age of 10.
Do I need to book?
Not for normal bathing, though booking ahead is advised in holidays. Spa, snow tubing and the stargazing soak should be booked.
Is the ice rink open all year?
No. It is a seasonal artificial rink for the colder months, roughly mid April or May to the end of August, depending on weather.