Hike Mt John
Today I climbed the walking track to Mt John. The track commences on the left as you approach Tekapo Springs and is a well-marked constant climb. The views make it so worth it! Allow one hour one way, or one and a half hours return. Take some cash to enjoy a coffee at the Astro Cafe at the top (and cake – you deserve it, you legend!) then either walk back down or catch Tekapo Taxis back to town.
Named after the first farmer in the area, Mt John Observatory was operated as a Spy Station from 1969 to 1983 (how awesome is that) and was where the USA tracked satellites. Now it is internationally recognised as one of the best-situated accessible observatories for researching and viewing the southern skies. In our very own Dark Sky Reserve. Another reason to stay a little longer at beautiful Lake Tekapo.
