The Mackenzie Country is full of photo opportunities. Megan Singleton finds five of the most scenic.
1. TEKAPO
Tekapo is the jewel in the Mackenzie Country crown, and in case you missed it, you most certainly need to stop here. I'd say stay at least two nights to enjoy all there is to do, see and taste. Stare at the night sky under the largest Dark Sky Reserve in the world and just take time to slow down and smell the lupins.
2. FLIGHT SEEING
Without a doubt the best way to drink in all that Mt Cook and its surrounding mountains and lakes has to offer is to fly up the braided Tasman River and land on a snowy knoll. Take a flight from Glentanner Park Centre, about 15 minutes' drive from the Hermitage. This is also your base for biking, glacial kayak tours, horse treks, 4WD Argo tours and heli skiing.
3. AORAKI-MT COOK
If Tekapo is the jewel, mighty Mt Cook is the crown. Rising majestically head and shoulders out of the Southern Alps, some days it's shrouded in cloud, other days it basks in snow-capped glory. All around it are hiking trails to lakes and glaciers and more photo ops than you will have the battery for. Stay at the Hermitage Hotel and watch a doco at the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre after looking at the growing collection of the great man's memorabilia.
4. TWIZEL
It may be tiny, but there are a few gems to make you pull over. Dine at Shawty's Cafe and chat with the locals. About five minutes down the road, call in to High Country Salmon and feed the salmon in the ponds that lie in the pristine glacial waters of the Wairepo arm, then pop up to Ben Ohau Road cheese and by the time you've done all that, you will have collected a few yummy tastes for happy hour.
