The historic appeal of Aldourie Lodge appeals to everybody who passes via this nook of New Zealand.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Tekapo, you’ll discover a very cute and comfortable home overlooking the long-lasting lake. Aldourie Lodge is one in every of Tekapo’s unique homes, full of old-world attraction. In an period of unprecedented constructing throughout New Zealand, there’s one thing so beautiful about having the ability to keep in historic areas.
As somebody who considers herself to be each a large historical past nerd and an introvert who loves cozy areas, Aldourie Lodge made me swoon as I walked inside. Cloaked with heat wooden, large home windows, cozy furnishings, and its personal library, you would simply keep inside the entire time and be completely content material.
In some methods, it jogged my memory of the States, the place I grew up on the East Coast. With the nice and cozy wooden, the comfortable kitchen, and the paneled home windows, it felt loads like properties I’ve frolicked in across the south the place I’m from.
Cozy is unquestionably the very best phrase to explain it. Or “cosy” because it’s spelled right here down underneath.
There are literally three locations to remain as a part of Aldourie Lodge, although they’re all separate and personal; you received’t see or cross paths with others. Each area is a complete dwelling. You have the large primary home, Aldourie Lodge, with three bedrooms. Then there may be Awa Cottage, with two bedrooms. And lastly, Sealy Street Studio.
Last winter, I stayed on the lodge for a number of days with a superb pal on a challenge, and it was so laborious to go away. In reality, I stayed an additional evening as a result of the street again to Wanaka was closed resulting from ice. It was so powerful (jokes). Then through the summer season, I stayed within the cottage with my dad and stepmom after they visited; it was equally cozy.
The view from the entrance door of Aldourie Lodge in Lake Tekapo is nearly pretty much as good because it will get!
Before the pandemic, Tekapo was a buzzy, small South Island city that drew folks in like a magnet. It was all the time busy, and tourism was completely booming.
But the previous few years, Tekapo was quiet, like actually quiet.
This meant it was by no means a greater time to go to. Along with many kiwis, I definitely tried to make the most of this, hanging out in fashionable spots and taking the time to discover my very own yard once more. It was nice to return final winter earlier than issues kicked again into excessive gear. And belief me, Tekapo is beautiful in winter.
From unbelievable surroundings, a number of journey, darkish evening skies, and the kindest locals you’ll ever meet, I used to be so joyful to spend a number of days right here soaking all of it in final winter. And when Tekapo places on her winter coat, effectively, there may be nowhere extra stunning.
Tekapo is likely one of the coldest locations in New Zealand in winter and one of many hottest in summer season. Often it has clear blue skies with no humidity and no wind. This makes for beautiful crisp winter days and freezing nights. Tekapo sits at over 700 meters above sea stage too, which implies it’s one of many few locations the place you’ll be able to depend on to get snow at floor stage.
You get these completely clear, freezing nights that result in enormous frosts, as all the things is completely nonetheless. The stargazing is unreal. I name it white walker climate – if you understand, you understand. It’s not unusual for it to drop beneath detrimental 10 levels Celsius at evening in winter.
And then you definately’ll be joyful to be snuggled up by the fireplace in a heat cozy dwelling!
Crispy winter mornings in Lake Tekapo are simply so stunning.
Sometimes a fog rolls in on these clear nights. And when it lifts within the morning, it usually reveals a panorama of ice, a uncommon hoar frost that makes all the things it touches sparkle.
Hoar frost is a phenomenon we typically see on the South Island, largely round Central Otago and the Mackenzie Basin, the place Tekapo sits. It’s normally attributable to freezing fog. When it’s beneath zero, and there’s a fog, the tiny water droplets that contact the bottom, or something actually, freeze, overlaying the floor with a frost so thick and spikey it usually seems like snow. It’s so charming.
Tekapo is unquestionably probably the greatest locations to expertise true winter in New Zealand.
I usually take into consideration how a lot I really like all 4 seasons. I feel it speaks to my childhood rising up in a spot with every distinct season. While we don’t get snow days like I used to have as a child, it’s nonetheless fantastic to have the ability to expertise right here in New Zealand.
I don’t suppose I could possibly be a kind of individuals who lived in summer season year-round or moved forwards and backwards between summers throughout the hemispheres.
While I’m not a morning individual by any stretch of the creativeness, I did get pleasure from waking up early in Tekapo and sitting exterior wrapped up in thick blankets, ingesting espresso, and watching the solar rise over the frozen panorama. It was so magical. We are actually fortunate locations like this nonetheless exist.
Here are my ideas and must-dos for a good time in Tekapo:
- Sleep: Aldourie Lodge
- Coffee: The Greedy Cow
- Brekkie/brunch: Jack Rabbit Cafe
- Shopping: Petronella’s Bookstore
- Walks: Mount John Walkway
- Splurge: Scenic flight round Mt. Cook with Air Safaris
- Dinner: Reflections Cafe
- Must do: Tekapo Hot Springs and stargazing with Chameleon Stargazing (price range) or personal with Alpha Crux Stargazing (they’ll come to you)
When planning your subsequent vacation in New Zealand, and maybe to Tekapo, make sure you take a look at Aldourie Lodge. Stay for so long as you’ll be able to; it’s positively the sort of place you wish to be and spend a while inside enjoyable.
Tekapo is the right base for every kind of adventures across the Mackenzie space. You’ve bought Twizel and Mount Cook close by, with loads of adventures and walks for nearly anybody. There are even a number of membership ski fields subsequent door too.
And in case you occur to be right here in winter? Even higher. Tekapo actually shines when the mountains are coated in snow, and people crisp sunny chilly days flip the lakes into blue mirrors. It’s magic.
Do you want staying in cozy properties whilst you journey? Is winter interesting to you down right here in New Zealand? Share!
Many because of Aldourie Lodge for internet hosting me to go to Tekapo – like all the time, I’m holding it actual – all opinions are my very own, like you would count on much less from me.