Tekapo Springs

What Tekapo Springs does

Tekapo Springs is a privately held, family-owned multi-activity tourism resort located at 300 Lakeside Drive, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, at the base of Mount John within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve — the largest such reserve in the Southern Hemisphere. Founded and owned by Karl Burtscher Jnr, whose family acquired the surrounding Richmond Station land in 1973, the modern complex opened with an international-sized outdoor ice rink in June 2007 (recording 12,000 visitors in its first three months) and the core hot pools, day spa, steam/sauna, and café in January 2008. The facility operates 364 days per year and serves both domestic New Zealand tourists and international visitors seeking alpine recreation, wellness, and night-sky experiences.

The product portfolio spans three hot pools at 36.5–38°C, two cooler pools, an Aqua Play Area, a Steam/Sauna with 8–12°C plunge pool, a four-room Glacial Day Spa, and Tekapo Star Gazing tours — the 'Soak in the Stars' guided experience is the only combined hot-pool + stargazing product of its kind in New Zealand. Seasonal activities rotate by month: ice skating (April–August), snow tubing and snow play (May–October), mini golf (September–March), plus summer yoga. The resort uses an integrated heat-recovery system in which waste heat from the ice rink's refrigeration plant (1:4 efficiency ratio) heats the hot pools, and cooled water from the refrigeration loop produces snow for the tubing park; pools are filtered through natural sand filters with WAPOTECH cleansing agents, fed by an alpine spring sourced near Forks River.

Revenue is generated through transactional day passes (Hot Pools All Day NZD 25–112, Ice Skating NZD 14–82, Snow Tube NZD 16–97, combination Super Combo up to NZD 264 family), subscription memberships (Mackenzie Pass 6- and 12-month unlimited access for locals and Corporate Membership packages with four transferable cards), service revenue from spa treatments and stargazing tours (NZD 115–179), and ancillary sales through the on-site Altitude 720 Café & Bar and a retail store. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via an online booking platform, phone reservations, walk-ins, an agent portal for inbound tour operators, gift vouchers valid three years, and group booking discounts (10% for 20+, 15% for 50+, free teacher ratios for schools). The business is Qualmark-certified and affiliated with Tourism Industry Association NZ, Tourism Export Council, Tiaki Promise, and Sustainable Tourism NZ; no external investment, parent company, or subsidiaries are disclosed.

Name

Tekapo Springs

Legal name

Tekapo Springs

Website

https://tekaposprings.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tekapo Springs is a family-owned multi-activity tourism resort in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, operating hot pools, glacial spa, ice skating, snow tubing, mini golf, and dark-sky stargazing tours for domestic and international visitors year-round.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tourism & Recreation Attraction

NAICS

All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (713990), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Thermal Springs, Hot Springs & Thalassotherapy Resorts (THAGAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hot Springs, Lagoons & Water-Based Wellness (Thermal Pools, Floating Spas) (THAJAJAN), Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized) (THAAAGAF)

Keywords

• Hot pools recreation
• Thermal tourism attraction
• Alpine day spa
• Stargazing tours
• Winter activities resort

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Tekapo

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Hot Pools Admission: All-day multiple entry tickets for hot pools, cooler pools, and aqua play area. Pricing varies by age category (adult, senior/student, child, family).
2. Seasonal Activities: Revenue from ice skating, snow tubing, mini golf, and snow play activities. Ice skating and snow tubing operate seasonally with specific operating periods.
3. Glacial Day Spa: Day spa treatments including massages, facials, waxing, and tinting services. All treatments require pre-booking.
4. Retail Sales: On-site retail store selling souvenirs, swimwear, clothing, beauty products, and Tekapo Springs branded merchandise.
5. Food & Beverage: Altitude 720 Café and Bar offering food and beverages including pizza, grazing platters, coffee, and alcoholic drinks.
6. Gift Vouchers: Gift vouchers available for hot pools, day spa, stargazing, and monetary value vouchers valid for 3 years.
7. Membership Programs: Mackenzie Pass (local residents) and Corporate Membership programs offering unlimited access with various discount benefits.
8. Corporate Membership: Corporate membership packages with unlimited seasonal activities, discounts on spa and stargazing, and transferable cards for staff.
9. Tekapo Star Gazing Tours: Guided stargazing experiences including Soak in the Stars (hot pools + stargazing) and Scope at the Stars (telescope-only). Operates in Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tekapo Springs operates a year-round alpine tourism complex in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, offering three hot pools (36.5–38°C), cooler pools, an Aqua Play Area, steam and sauna facilities, a Glacial Day Spa, and guided Tekapo Star Gazing tours in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Seasonal attractions include ice skating (April–August), snow tubing (May–October), snow play, and summer mini golf and yoga. Supporting amenities include Altitude 720 Café & Bar, a retail shop, gift vouchers, and local (Mackenzie Pass) and corporate membership programs.

Product overview

Tekapo Springs is a multi-faceted tourism attraction in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, operating 364 days per year. The core offering centers on three hot pools (Ohau 36.5°C, Pukaki 37.5°C, Tekapo 38°C adults-only) and two cooler pools complemented by an Aqua Play Area, plus Steam/Sauna/Plunge facilities. The product portfolio spans seasonal activities (Ice Skating April-August, Snow Tube May-October, Snow Play May-October, Mini Golf September-March) and year-round offerings (Glacial Day Spa with massages and facials, Tekapo Star Gazing stargazing tours with hot pools, Yoga summer classes). Supporting services include Altitude 720 Café & Bar, Retail & Gift Shop, various Combo Tickets, Gift Vouchers, and membership programs (Mackenzie Pass for locals, Corporate Membership). The facility is operated by the Burtscher family and uses pure underground spring water with sustainable energy practices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tekapo Star Gazing: Night-time stargazing tours operating from Tekapo Springs facilities in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve - the only guided hot pools and stargazing experience in New Zealand.

Products and services

• Hot Pools Three hot pools shaped like local lakes with lake and mountain views, offering all-day, multiple-entry access for visitors seeking thermal relaxation. Includes two cooler pools and an Aqua Play Area with interactive water jets.
• Steam, Sauna & Plunge Pool Area Traditional steam and sauna rooms paired with a cold plunge pool (8–12°C), available as an add-on for guests aged 16 and older.
• Glacial Day Spa Four-treatment-room day spa offering Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone and pregnancy massages, facials (Image O2 Lift, Ormedic Hydration, Dilo Coconut, Vitamin C), waxing, tinting and package deals, operating year-round with pre-booked treatments.
• Ice Skating Rink International-sized outdoor ice rink open April–August with skate and helmet hire included; home of Mackenzie Bull Tahr's Ice Hockey Team and available for curling, hockey tournaments and corporate events.
• Ice Skating Lessons Private individual ice-skating coaching offered in 30-minute and 60-minute sessions (maximum four students per coach), with 5- or 10-session concession passes available.
• Snow Tube Park 150-metre snowy slope with tube rides and magic carpet transport, open May to October weather dependent for visitors at least 1 metre tall.
• Snow Play Area Winter playground for families and first-time snow explorers featuring gentle slopes for tobogganing, snowman building and snow cave exploration; adult free with accompanying paying child.
• Mini Golf Adventure 18-hole mini golf course located on the rink area during the New Zealand summer (September–March), suitable for all ages.
• Tekapo Star Gazing

Quantifiable outcome

• 12,000 visitors recorded in first 3 months of ice rink operation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Lakes Edge Holiday ParkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership offering 15% discount on Tekapo Stargazing tours for guests staying at Lakes Edge Holiday Park. Promo code LAKESSTAR available for booking.
• QualmarkcoreOthersQualmark certified tourism business - New Zealand's official quality mark for tourism. Part of their affiliation section.
• Tourism Industry Association (TIA)coreOthersMember of Tourism Industry Association New Zealand. Affiliation badge displayed on website footer.
• Tiaki PromiseminorOthersPartner supporting sustainable tourism in New Zealand. Displayed as affiliation badge.
• ChristchurchNZminorOthersRegional tourism partner for Christchurch and South Island marketing.
• Tourism Export CouncilminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember of Tourism Export Council for inbound tourism operators.
• Sustainable Tourism NZminorOthersAffiliated with Sustainable Tourism New Zealand initiative for responsible tourism practices.
• Mackenzie Bull Tahr's Ice Hockey TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome ice hockey team using Tekapo Springs ice rink. Sponsorship and partnership relationship.
• Air Rescue NZminorOthersCharitable organization sponsored by Tekapo Springs. Part of their community sponsorship program.
• Heart Kids NZminorOthersCharitable organization for children with heart conditions, sponsored by Tekapo Springs.
• Tekapo Bright StarsminorOthersLocal organization sponsored by Tekapo Springs as part of community sponsorship.
• Lake Tekapo SchoolminorOthersLocal school sponsored by Tekapo Springs.
• South Canterbury Chamber of CommerceminorOthersBusiness excellence awards finalist in 2018 for Tekapo Star Gazing.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Skyline Queenstown: Major Queenstown tourism operator offering gondola, luge, mountain biking, stargazing, and dining. Comparable premium South Island alpine-tourism destination with bundled activity + F&B + stargazing model.
• Cardrona Alpine Resort: Southern Alps ski and winter-activity operator offering skiing, tubing, mountain biking, and on-mountain F&B. Comparable seasonal mountain-recreation business operating in the same South Island catchment.
• RealNZ (Real Journeys): Large NZ tourism operator running cruises, stargazing (Dark Sky Project Lake Tekapo), and attractions. Directly comparable through its own Tekapo stargazing offering and broader NZ tourism distribution.

Direct peers

• Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: Rotorua geothermal attraction featuring thermal pools, springs, and volcanic landscapes. Direct NZ thermal-wonderland peer; while outdoor-focused, shares the same geothermal day-visit tourism model.
• Peninsula Hot Springs: Australia's premier natural thermal hot springs and spa destination on the Mornington Peninsula. Highly comparable multi-pool, multi-experience wellness attraction with bathing, spa, food and retail, and seasonal events.
• Polynesian Spa: Rotorua-based lakefront hot mineral springs and day spa, the most established premium thermal wellness operator in NZ. Directly comparable product mix (thermal pools, spa treatments, lake views) to Tekapo Springs.
• Onsen Hot Pools: Queenstown-based boutique private hot pools with alpine views. Comparable product (private hot pools in alpine setting) and overlapping South Island tourism catchment.
• Hell's Gate: Rotorua geothermal park with mud baths, sulfur spas, and Maori cultural experiences. Comparable thermal/wellness attraction targeting international visitors in NZ.
• Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa: New Zealand thermal hot pools and day spa complex in Hanmer Springs, South Island. Closest comparable domestic peer — operates a multi-pool thermal attraction with spa, slides, and family offerings in a single regional destination.

Regional players

• Snowplanet: Indoor snow and ski facility near Auckland offering skiing, snowboarding, and snow play year-round. Comparable snow-activity product line to Tekapo Springs' snow tube and snow play offerings, but in a different geography (indoor North Island).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/tekaposprings
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tekapo-springs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tekapo Springs