Weekend in the Mackenzie

With the upcoming weekends scheduled to be busy — Dad’s boys’ trip, moving to a new house, getting a new puppy — we decided to head inland and holiday in our new backyard. The Mackenzie Region is one of our favorites, with shockingly turquoise waters and the awe-inspiring peak of Aoraki (Mount Cook.)

We stayed two nights in a cozy cabin at Musterer’s Accommodations in Fairlie, home of the famous bakehouse. The charming owners greeted us upon arrival, provided pellets for the boys to feed to the alpacas, and pointed us in the right direction for dinner.

On Saturday we enjoyed a delicious breakfast at The Greedy Cow in Tekapo, followed by several hours of soaking and swimming at Tekapo Springs. The famous lupines (invasive but beautiful) are in bloom, and the Church of the Good Shepherd was humming with eager tourists singing “How Great Thou Art.” This is a town that we will definitely return to again and again, both for summer lake activity as well as winter tubing and skiing.

Lake Tekapo

In the afternoon, the boys cast their lines in a canal that connects Lake Tekapo to Lake Pukaki, while Mom ogled the views.

When the fish don’t bite, we throw rocks.

You sure were pretty, Mackenzie District. See you next time.