Aoraki/Mt Cook is an all-star holiday hit with international tourists, but for many Kiwis the prospect of checking out our tallest peak can entail quite a trek from home. But it's worth it.
In my view, the alpine region serves up our nation's finest winter wonderland experience. And between July and
September, Mother Nature's thickest, powder-packed snow coat is out in force.
Four hours' drive from Christchurch, Mt Cook village has a sense of remoteness that is all-encompassing.
The Southern Alps encircle the village, cocooning visitors in a snug skyward layer of imposing beauty. Mt Cook village whips your senses with its natural sound and sight show. The sounds of native bird calls, cascading waterfalls and wind whistling through the towering trees is pure therapy.
Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park abounds with walks, spanning the endurance spectrum. If you're like me and prefer a leisurely stroll to a gut-busting three-day tramp, there are a spree of wonderful nature tracks to explore.
The Hooker Valley walk is a fabulous jaunt that takes you into the heart of the national park, showcasing its finest natural treats. Gorges, glaciers, lakes and the famous Mt Cook lily (which is actually the world's biggest-known buttercup) can all be admired on this three-hour walk.
Shorter walks include the Kea Point and Governor's Bush tracks, featuring sublime mountain vistas and pristine silver birch and totara forest.
Comprehensive information on the full range of walking tracks is available from the Mt Cook Visitor Centre. The centre also features a spectacular model of the Southern Alps - a hit with children of all ages.
A vast array of top-end sightseeing excursions around Mt Cook court the tourist market. Mt Cook Skiplanes is the longest-running operator, which famously made history in 1955 with the first retractable ski landing on a glacier. It operates a variety of scenic flights and holds the sole-landing rights to Tasman Glacier.
The pollution-free skies above Mt Cook village have become a very popular spot for star-watching.
Needless to say, given the alpine environment, the moody weather can soon wreck your best-laid plans to spend a night swooning at the heavens. However, on a clear night, the universe twinkles like a glow-worm cave. Guided sky tours are available and bookings can be made at the visitor centre.
En route to the alpine village, the nearby lakes of Pukaki and Tekapo are renowned for their translucent, turquoise hues. They're well worth a photo stop, at least.
Serious sky-watching buffs should also consider taking a 40-minute drive to the Mt John observatory, just out of Tekapo, which is seeking World Heritage status for its pristine cosmos-viewing position.
TOP TIPS
* For further information about the Hermitage Hotel's myriad services and attractions, or for overnight bookings, check out www.hermitage.co.nz
* For the plane ride of your life, gazing down on the snow-packed Southern Alps, check out the daily excursions at www.mtcookskiplanes.com
* Nightly star-gazing tours at Tekapo's acclaimed Mt. John observatory operate between April and September. www.newzealandsky.com
Aoraki/Mt Cook: High and mighty
Aoraki/Mt Cook is an all-star holiday hit with international tourists, but for many Kiwis the prospect of checking out our tallest peak can entail quite a trek from home. But it's worth it.
In my view, the alpine region serves up our nation's finest winter wonderland experience. And between July and
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