It's in New Zealand, but.
Why?
1. it is spectacular!
2. It is easy to get to.
3. You will see (hopefully) Australasia's highest peak.
4. You will see glaciers.
5. You will see icebergs.
6. You will see incredible alpine scenery and plants.
7. It is so close to the east coast of Australia.
How?
1. Get a cheap flight to Queenstown. Or Christchurch.
Takes about 3 hours from Sydney. We got flights for about $400 return.
2. Hire a car. Or a campervan. Or go by bus. Or take a tour.
You work that one out.
3. Stay in Mount Cook village for a few days.
Because the weather is somewhat changeable and you want to maximise your chances of getting out there in
reasonable weather.
4. There are various accommodation options - White Horse Hill campground. Where we stayed.
The Hermitage, posh-looking hotel.
Other cabins and a YHA.
Again - you can work that bit out.
What?
1. If you are lucky you'll be able to see Mount Cook from the village as well as many other peaks and glaciers.
2. Get out!
3. Walk. There are three fairly easy walks that anyone can do.
- Hooker Valley. Starts from the campground. 10kms return. Takes about 3 hours or longer if you are like us and like to stop for lots of photos. Plus we walked down to the lake edge and sat there for a while.
- Kea Point lookout. An easy walk about 45 minutes return. Views of Mueller Lake and up the valley towards
Mount Cook. (We didn't actually do this one). Also starts from the campground.
- Tasman Glacier lookout. This one has a few steps, but you can do it! It's not far, maybe about 30 minutes return. You can also walk down to the Blue Lakes which are now green, but it's OK to look down on them from above.
The Tasman lake only started forming in the 1970's, before that the Tasman glacier came all the way down to the moraine wall! Now the glacier is receding rapidly and the lake is coorespondingly growing!
You need to drive out of the village and along the Tasman valley to get here. Or you could ride your bike.
- We also did the Red Tarns walk which starts in the village. It goes up! And up and up! There are many steps.
You ascend 300 metres, but take it slowly, have lots of breaks, you can stop as often as you like to admire the views down and across the valley. About 2 hours return.
The paths are all very well-graded. Sure they are very touristy. You're not going to get a wilderness experience but take in the vast beauty, and the closer details - the rocks and plants along the way. Enjoy the suspension bridges along the Hooker Valley track.
4. Spend time in the information centre. It is well-placed with a great view. Terrific exhibits.
5. Pop next door to the Old Mountaineers Cafe. Good coffee. Also spectacular view.
6. The Hermitage Hotel has the Sir Edmund Hilary Centre which sounded pretty good. Cost $20.
We didn't have time to go there.
7. If you are so inclined and have the dough you could take a boat ride on Tasman Lake and get up close and personal with the glacier and some icebergs. Or take a helicopter flight.
The drive to Mount Cook passes along the shore of Lake Pukaki which is the most amazing colour when the sun shines.
If you drive from Christchurch you can pass other wondrous places such as Lake Tekapo.
If you arrive in Queenstown you might be inclined to partake of some of the activites there.
You know - bungy jumping and the like.
Just do it!
