Mt. Cook is New Zealand's highest peak. Though it is quite a mission to climb it, there are lakes nearby that offer beautiful mirror image views on a clear day. There's also lots of other things to get amongst in the area if mountaineering isn't your thing.
On a clear day the views of Mt Cook (NZ’s highest peak) are pretty impressive.
There are a number of excellent walks in this area. The hike up to Mueller Hut is awesome and gives a very real impression of what it is like to be up high in the alpine environment. You can stay in the hut if you want but this walk also makes for an excellent (but strenuous) day walk. If it gets too steep you can stop halfway at Sealy tarns, which provide great views of Mt Cook.
If you do want to stay overnight in a hut the hike to Ball Shelter is easier. Perched above the mighty Tasman glacier this is an amazing place to spend a night.
Alternatively the walk up the Hooker Valley is excellent. Just go as far as you feel like and return the same way.
If you want to climb higher in the southern alps you either need to be super experienced or hire a guide. These are BIG dangerous mountains.
Highway 8 takes you further South through Mackenzie Country...
Twizel is a small town just South of the Aoraki/Mt Cook turn off and a good place to get gas, a cup of coffee and stretch your legs...
Lake Ohau is not far South from Twizel. Take the access road on the right of the Highway to get there. At Lake Ohau you'll find a beautiful lake, ski field, mountain biking in the summer, tramps, short walks and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Omarama is a mecca for gliding - the best spot to do it if you want to do it in NZ. Also, Omarama is a good place to make sure your gas tank is full before heading over the Lindis Pass. At Omarama you can also turn off and head towards to East Coast - you'll pop out at Oamaru and can then keep heading South towards Dunedin - a good option if you want to pass on the Queenstown region but stil want to see inland South Island. Alternatively, keep heading over the scenic Lindis Pass and towards Wanaka, Queenstown and Fiordland...
Heading North
Highway 8 will take you North past Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo. These glacial fed lakes are beautiful and worth a stop off and a swim if it's warm enough! Pick up a slice of tasty salmon at the Mt Cook Salmon farm, just off the Highway (on the right hand side) between the Mt Cook turn off and Tekapo.
Lake Tekapo is beautiful and the Church of the Good Shepherd has become a famous landmark. There is a collection of touristy shops and accommodation options here. GOOT recommends the Lake Tekapo Motels and Motor Camp if you're going to stay - ph: 03-680 6825; www.laketekapo-accommodation.co.nz They have everything from camp sites to ensuite cabins.
If you've got time in Tekapo, head up Mt John for some great views of the lake and the basin which Tekapo sits in. The walk starts from the ice-skating rink and only takes around 1/2 an hour to get to the top. For a longer wander, you can come back via the lake shore.
Mt. Cook was off the hook. The information place right before the mountain had a lot of really cool stuff. It was like a little museum. The mountain itself was absolutely beautiful!
Posted 2010-04-28 11:32:59
2. Lake Takapo and Mt Cook Hector Dimaunahan (BU), Unregistered
The drive to Lake Takapo was pretty nice because on the way there was this sick blue lake that had a reflection of Mt. Cook. It looked like it was folded in half. Pretty cool.
Posted 2009-05-28 10:24:09
1. Glacier walks at Mt Cook Hector Dimaunahan (BU), Unregistered
At Mt Cook nature park there were two tracks: the Tasman glacier and the glacier lakes. The glacier lakes is a lake with icebergs in it which is pretty cool. On the Tasman glacier you see nothing of a glacier except and Ed Hilary statue and gravel mounts and water. I went down both tracks and they look almost exactly the same.
