South Island Feb 2022

The Hooker Valley Track - Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Wikipedia says that this walk was once described as the 'best day walk' in New Zealand. The views are stunning, and I always love wandering up this valley surrounded by huge mountains. It's only a 3 hour return stroll from the DOC campsite (White Horse Hill Campsite) unless, like me, you love to meander around and stop to soak up the views regularly!! You can easily spend many hours enjoying this alpine valley.

"The lookout point at the end of the Hooker Valley Track is the closest any walking track comes to Aoraki/Mount Cook, and reveals completely unobstructed views of the hightest mountain in New Zealand, with Hooker Glacier in the valley below. There is also access to the shore of the glacial lake." (Wikipedia)

View across glacier lake to Hooker Glacier terminus 
in front of Aoraki / Mount Cook

dirty floating glacier ice

Mount Sefton and The Footstool

South Island Tomtit (ngirungiru)

Blue Pools - Mount Aspiring National Park

We hadn't heard of this place before but saw the track from the campsite near Makarora so thought we'd have a look. Named well coz this water is seriously blue!! And cold!