Aoraki / Mount Cook｜The Peak of the South Island Above the Clouds

📍 Location and Transportation
Located in New Zealand's South Island Mount Cook National Park, you can drive from Tekapo or Twizel along Mount Cook Road (SH80). The route is filled with stunning lakes and mountains, ending at the visitor center and trail entrances.

📝 Personal Reflection
My first sight of Aoraki / Mount Cook was from a distant lakeside. The snow-white peak peeked out from behind the clouds, as if quietly checking who had come to visit. As the car got closer, the mountain grew more towering, the snow dazzling under the sunlight, seeming both within reach and yet unattainable.

Inside the national park, the surroundings are filled with views of Mount Cook from different angles. The grasslands and valleys at the mountain’s base act like a soft backdrop, making this South Island summit even more majestic. I walked on the suspension bridge of the Hooker Valley Track, with the rushing river in my ears and the magnificent scene of snowy peaks, glaciers, and blue sky framed before my eyes.

The beauty here is more than just the word "spectacular" can describe. It has a power that quiets you, making you feel small yet happy. When I left, I couldn’t help but look back several times, silently promising myself—I will come back again.

Post by 歐郎瑞旅遊日記 | Aug 12, 2025