Aoraki Mount Cook Car Tours: Top 5 Unforgettable Drives
Dreaming of breathing that crisp, South Island air and gazing at snowy peaks? Taking a self-drive tour could be, just maybe, the best way to experience the dramatic views of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand. With this handy guide, you get the lowdown on five amazing driving routes. Pack snacks, charge your camera, because an unbelievable experience is calling. It’s almost like stepping into a postcard, a really, truly incredible postcard. Let’s hit the road and begin our explorations!
1. The Legendary State Highway 80 (Mount Cook Road)
Alright, the drive up State Highway 80, so called Mount Cook Road, is often where it all kicks off. Many, many people start their adventure on this road! Branching off from State Highway 8, this stretch gives you a beeline toward Mount Cook Village. Yet, it’s really something that’s not just a way to get from A to B, is that so? No, in some respects, this journey is eye-candy, I would argue, a pure feast of landscapes. The turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki will become visible, with the Southern Alps acting as a brilliant backdrop. Is that right? Along the way, keep a look out for various lookout points. I really mean it. These places allow for capturing unbelievable photographs. In a way, It is vital to allow time to soak in that remarkable natural charm.
As a matter of fact, about halfway on your travel, consider making a stop at the Peter’s Lookout. Actually, this location provides a super view of Mount Cook mirrored in Lake Pukaki on any clear day. Instead, for those chasing amazing pictures, you know that location, right? The light here at sunrise and sunset is super, really something to behold. Clearly, take your time driving as you need to be careful. In short, wild creatures are active there! Very frequently, keep your eyes peeled, actually, for the adorable, almost fearless, New Zealand birds that can be a bit reckless. Instead, they are rather fond of road-trippers!
That is so, keep an eye out for the turning to the Tasman Glacier, a very short trip off Mount Cook Road that’s really rather worthy. It’s so rewarding that there’s the opportunity of walking to a viewpoint there, so that is a remarkable thing. That drive may well leave you breathless as you go see what natural charm has on tap. A brief walk enables you to view that terminal lake. Similarly to stepping into another place, floating icebergs will have you thinking, wow! A little word of caution. This road may become extremely popular during the tourist season, really very very popular. In other words, to sidestep the masses, it’s a brilliant idea to visit during the shoulder seasons: spring and fall. Also, you’d better find yourself an amazing location to lodge . That sounds more pleasant, does it?
2. Lake Tekapo to Mount Cook: A Scenic Detour
To be honest, starting out from the gorgeous Lake Tekapo and setting off to Mount Cook is more or less like beginning an extremely gorgeous painting that develops as you get closer to that goal. First, the sight of Lake Tekapo alone is typically almost worthy of the travel. I would say so. What’s more, is that this stunning waterbody will stun you using a breathtaking blue color brought about by the good ol’ glacial flour. Then, stop by the Church of the great Shepherd, too it’s almost a well-known location! We can say, actually, many of these locations offer a magnificent frame for your snapshots. Still, it does! Anyway, I will have you know, you’ll see what natural wonders come next in South Island.
On the other hand, after departing from Lake Tekapo, drive further along State Highway 8 until you reach the bend that meets State Highway 80, better known, actually, as Mount Cook Road. In that case, you’ll notice a remarkable change as the turquoise waters stick to the roadside for you to appreciate its excellence. Clearly, a photographer’s desire may be to catch those alpine reflections within still waters. Yet, that only seems like some luck might be involved. This road trip really features both those brilliant spots for photography including serenity to truly take it all in.
As a matter of fact, do stop a little while at the various smaller viewpoints. Usually, from there it’s quite doable to see unique species of indigenous plants and birds. Is it so? By the way, these shorter, much less frequented breaks, really highlight what traveling at the foot of a tall hill means. Typically, bring enough stuff! At the end of the day, your perfect self-drive needs careful thought on requirements! Similarly to organizing an expedition into something uncharted, bring plenty of water plus food to enhance that experience while experiencing everything from New Zealand nature offers the most adventurous tourist!
3. Twizel to Mount Cook: The Mackenzie Basin Route
Okay, picture it: Beginning at Twizel, a spot with that cool Mackenzie Basin appeal, that tour really brings landscapes filled with raw appeal plus large skies. Is that so? Starting that day here seems quite apt for anyone wishing that feeling behind rural environments but dreaming of soaring peaks appearing quickly beyond those horizons. Also, don’t rush while driving towards Mount Cook Village through what must become probably your absolute best day ever. It’s as easy as making stops along any roadside when things inspire you to take note using fantastic cameras at something stunning from around New Zealand.
Frankly, the Mackenzie Basin brings an other-worldly sort of experience, alright? Typically, its distinctive gold colors combined alongside everchanging hill contrasts provide views unique around South Island landscape. First, plan some pit-stops through places such like Lake Pukaki Visitor Center at which you get amazing information around everything local plus see how peaks may appear behind shimmering ponds outside. Finally, by stopping right here ensures both getting context about where you traveling plus getting further involved through New Zealand.
That is so, be watchful of this landscape through morning or nighttime specifically: golden hours illuminate everything differently making photographs feel almost painting-like and certainly bring feelings you couldn’t ever describe appropriately inside memories unless it involved those gorgeous settings here too in all senses too, surely? Anyway be organized though – pack every possible item prior leaving towns as options around that countryside stretch may prove very much rare and maybe limited sometimes as locals do want more privacy more. To be honest it would feel too frustrating lacking necessary tools or food if becoming needed for those ventures far abroad visiting Twizel region, right!
4. The Hooker Valley Track Access Road
In short, while not a complete trip through a lengthy destination itself in a complete drive sense either either way, let me tell you about taking time heading up that street towards all the well-known Hooker Valley tracks which truly are quite worthy inside their own rights, yes? So what happens usually ends around Mount Cook Village when heading a short trip via vehicle along ways contributing mostly to viewing fantastic foot-travel alternatives that must leave people wanting just nothing further. Actually, by following this minor diversion will set individuals deep enough alongside New Zealand beyond everything commonly imagined online!
First off though note first; availability restrictions commonly relate particularly during very crowded hours considering restricted parking available alongside! Typically arrive prior mornings commence whenever wishing any best chance to sidestep issues occurring along those very stretches there sometimes; but in fact all inconveniences turn inconsequential almost immediately one feels all about all grandeur that sits nearby almost. Meanwhile bring trekking gear should desires happen around shorter journeys there besides.
In reality along journey paths toward entrances or the starting ones many places deserve photos alongside every corner specifically including alongside those rushing melt streams off towering formations overhead, right? Basically this whole district turns literally remarkable – thus one could not overlook a travel route offering opportunities ranging further compared visiting that core, mostly well-trod region itself though obviously the main route deserves all appreciation too naturally?
5. Glentanner to Mount Cook: A High-Country Experience
Okay listen, starting in Glentanner to Mt Cook; that, may turn pretty extraordinary if hoping towards high country vista explorations including expansive panoramas plus the classic rural landscapes coming throughout South Island too mostly, am I right here possibly you know all that basically; usually a rather peaceful drive is what defines leaving all settlements trailing when moving alongside regions exhibiting some wild-west air. At the end of the day be ready for a longer distance since doing all such means further when traveling – make things totally certain ahead.
In the meantime after you hit that open landscape areas alongside routes linking places nearby similar Lake Pukaki – slow absolutely everything down so eyes could certainly adjust totally, yes?, anyway ensure capturing photos if noticing the sunlight coming correct there also: such images are likely very valued recollections following all things taken from Glentanner as background, right honestly?? Besides though note every farm around – even a sight regarding that simple presence offers distinctive story from all that local South Islanders experience overall generally daily almost.
That’s the story! When becoming around Mt. Cook finally consider doing any short walks. Obviously explore areas locally but think very carefully and ensure appropriate plans especially with the possibility regarding those famous winds hitting; that happens always for everyone regularly, even sometimes at most unanticipated minutes that’s possibly valid while saying these travel suggestions could contribute notably towards creating a wonderful time especially while planning toward finding new treasures from those stunning rural zones within magnificent New Zealand proper anyway!?