Highlights of the Day
Our plan was to visit Mount Cook, but the drive took twice as long due to stunning stops along the way. Lake Pukaki, with its milky blue-green waters from the Tasman Glacier, was breathtaking. A surprise visit to Twizel Lavender Farm added a fragrant, colorful detour, complete with lavender ice cream.
At Mount Cook National Park, lunch with mountain views was followed by a steep but rewarding Tasman Glacier hike. Opting for a shorter trail, we enjoyed a spectacular view of Mount Cook. Returning to Lake Tekapo, a delicious lamb dinner at Dark Sky Experience wrapped up a perfect day.
Logistics
Accommodation: SKYRIM LODGE (highly recommended)
Transportation: Rental Car
Today’s main plan was to visit the famous Mount Cook.
Unexpectedly, the one-hour drive took over two hours because we kept stopping for the stunning scenery. Not long after setting out, we came across another lake—Lake Pukaki. These lakes have unique names, likely given by the Māori people.
Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo are both blue-green, but Pukaki has a milky tint, making it look even more dreamy. Later, I found out that the lake is fed by the Tasman Glacier, which carries a higher density of rock flour. This gives the water its distinct color under sunlight.
Beyond the lake’s beautiful waters, its surroundings add to the charm. From the lake, we had a clear view of the famous Mount Cook and the smaller peaks around it. The lake is vast, with multiple scenic viewpoints along the drive, each offering unique landscapes.
After leaving the lake area, we suddenly spotted a vast lavender field on our left. Surprised, we quickly turned into the entrance. This Twizel Lavender Farm is open to the public and has an affordable entry fee. The fields stretch endlessly, filled with organic lavender. They open to visitors from mid-November to late March, likely spending the rest of the year planting and harvesting.
The lavender fields are arranged in neat rows, creating a spectacular sight. During the open season, the owners set up various props to enhance the photo experience—purple swings, carriages, tractors, and bicycles. Benches are placed throughout the fields for visitors to sit and take pictures. There’s even a windmill, though I wasn’t sure if it was just decorative or actually functional. Walking through the fields, taking pictures, and breathing in the fragrance was a delightful experience.
A small shop nearby sold different flavors of ice cream, including a unique lavender one—definitely worth trying. We discovered this place by accident, but fellow travelers, you should make it a must-visit spot.
After several stops, we finally arrived at Mount Cook National Park. It was already noon, so we had lunch at a café surrounded by snow-capped mountains—a meal with a breathtaking view.
After lunch, we checked the ticket booth to see if we could take a boat tour of the lake and Tasman Glacier. Unfortunately, all the tickets were sold out. However, seeing the murky gray lake later made us feel that missing the boat ride wasn’t a big deal.
Instead, we chose a short hike to see Tasman Glacier. The trail was only about 700 meters, but 80% of it was stairs, making it quite tiring. Reaching the top, we saw the distant glacier, and the effort felt worthwhile.
The glacier has shrunk significantly in both height and size. A nearby lake, once called Blue Lake in the 19th century, now appears green because it no longer gets glacial water and relies only on rainfall. The lake below the glacier, where the boat tours operate, has also turned gray.
The park offers several hiking trails, including two that lead to Mount Cook viewpoints. One takes four hours round trip, while the other takes just one hour. Without hesitation, we chose the shorter hike.
This trail was easier, with a slight incline but no stairs. At the end, we had a clear and stunning view of Mount Cook. My husband was about to take my picture when a friendly man offered to take one of both of us. He and his wife had just finished the four-hour hike and were now doing the one-hour trail—I deeply admired their stamina. He also turned out to be an excellent photographer, taking five or six shots from different angles, each one well-composed.
By 6 PM, it was time to head back. One thing that amazed us about New Zealand was the long daylight hours—sunset wasn’t until around 9:20 PM, so even at 6 PM, it still felt like afternoon.
On the way back, the traffic was very light. We were able to take a picture in the middle of the road using mount cook as a background.
Back at Lake Tekapo, we chose a lakeside restaurant called Dark Sky Experience. The name sounded intriguing, though when we arrived, the sun was still high in the sky, so there was nothing “dark” about it. The restaurant had a large dome on the roof, supposedly used for stargazing simulations.
The atmosphere was casual and relaxed. We ordered lamb, expecting great quality after seeing so many freely roaming sheep along the way. As expected, the meat was tender, well-balanced in fat, and had no gamey taste. Curious about this, I later found out that the local sheep breed and environment naturally result in mild-flavored lamb.
After one last look at the beautiful Lake Tekapo, our day’s journey ended. Tomorrow, we’ll head to our next destination.
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