TEKAPO

Stay: Mantra Lake Tekapo ( mantra.com.au/tekapo).

Do: Earth and Sky runs dark-sky tours. Soak in Tekapo Springs, which has a spa attached; go ice skating (open from April-September).

Eat: Try the many restaurants along the village’s strip, and make sure to stop off at Fairlie Bakery en route to Christchurch for a mince and cheese or venison and cranberry pie. Don’t forget coffee and a Denheath custard square at the Farm Barn Café.