MT. COOK NATIONAL PARK

Labour Weekend (21-23 October) 2017-Escape home to the South Island with family ❤

Even though I lived (and fell in love) in the south island for a number of years (ermm, 6) and saw a few amazing places, there are still so so many places in the “mainland” that I didn’t manage to tick off the list (because, well, I was a very poor student and lost a lot of my sense of adventure which I am slowly trying to claw back).

I’d never been to Mt Cook / Tekapo / Twizel sooooo we decided (along with Mikeys brother + husband brothers girlfriend/my good uni friend) to make the most of a three day weekend and disappear to the part of the country that is probably the most “New Zealand” place in all of New Zealand.

Here are 5 Highlights:

1. Mt Cook Village:

OK, so the drive to Mt Cook village is probably the best road trip in New Zealand (and I don’t think I’m the first person to say that). When we went to Mt Cook Village the day was a bit rubbish. It was cold and misty and there was very icy rain. We had wanted to do the famous Hooker Valley walk (you know, to the classic NZ swing bridge) but the weather was just too terrible, which is a shame because boy do I love a good swing bridge.

So, instead, we had coffee and went and visited the larger-than-life statue of Sir Edmund Hillary and for a short walk (see further down).

Oh, Sir Ed Hillary. My favourite kiwi hero. I listened to story after story of his achievements as a child sitting with my outdoorsy granny who will forever be my inspiration. His was the first biography I ever read and I will forever be inspired by his quote:

“It is not the mountain that we conquer, but ourselves”

2. Our AirBnB in Twizel:

Oh. My. This is probably my most favourite place that I have ever stayed. It was my first AirBnB experience and I am HOOKED to say the least. Set on the outskirts of Twizel, in the pine trees, and in view of awe-inspiring mountains. A cute little two-bedroom unit, with a sunny spot for outdoor eating and relaxing and chatting, and complementary eggs for breakkie from the sweetest chickens.It even came with a cute name “Manorburn Suites”

3. Kea Point

Because the weather was so, wintery, when we went into the national park for some day hiking, we decided to do a smaller walk than the one we had intended to do (Hook Valley-3-4 hours) and chose (just because we saw it and it sounded interesting) to go to Kea Point. This was a 30minute walk there, 30 minute walk back. We didn’t see any Kea, but we did see this amazing lake-mountain view, with breathtaking misty mountains the back drop of the gorgeous green Mueller Glacier Lake.

Fun Fact: The track passes through a landscape that was formed in 1913 when a stream cut through from the glacier to the original Hermitage site, damaging the building. (thanks DoC!)

4. Lake Pukaki

There’s not a lot to say about Lake Pukaki, it sort of speaks for itself. It’s name means “a great swelling or choking in a throat.” This name refers to the time when the water comes rushing down in the flood season, and there isn’t room to contain it. The distinct blue colour of glacial fed lakes (like this one, and Lake Tekapo) is created by the finely ground rock particles from nearby glaciers (called “glacial flour”).

There are so so many amazing spots a long Lake Pukaki, the most ‘classic’ being the lookout (on the main road) and “Peters Point.” Whenever I go on Beck family trips and there’s a body of water nearby, the boys ALWAYS skip stones (a pass time I prefer not to participate in as I have never managed to master the skill) and Pukaki provided some great stones and glass-smooth waters for a few perfect skips.

Note: Spot Mt Cook/Aoraki in the first two pics =)