TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 5

AORAKI/ MOUNT COOK

Started the day with coffee and some store-bought bread I’d picked up beforehand—simple, but it did the job.

It’s one of those days—drive a bit, hop out to take some photos, walk around, then back in the car. We just followed Google Maps to see what lies ahead.

A little roadside shed known as the Irishman Creek.

Next is Simons Hill. Don’t really know what they’re known for but it’s in Google Maps.

Next is the Lake Pukaki Viewpoint which is known for its amazing shades of blue. And I guess that is Mount Cook on the other side of the Lake

NZ Alpine Lavender was a great little stop — perfect spot for an ice cream break. The lavender wasn’t in season, but the wide open space was still beautiful and made for a fun selfie moment.

I can’t believe the colour of the water in Peter’s Lookout also known as Tapataia Mahaka. The lookout is off the side of a large car park which is just off the main road, so very easy to access You have amazing views of Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook in the distance.

At 3,724 metres, Mount Cook (Aoraki) is New Zealand’s tallest peak. You can see Mount Cook from far away, but the closer you get, the more amazing it looks.

The drive from Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook Village is stunning. The mountain gets bigger and more dramatic with every turn. It starts with a bright blue lake, then slowly changes as dark rain clouds roll in—it felt very dramatic.

It started pouring just as we reached the Aoraki/Mount Cook Visitor Centre—perfect timing to stay dry. The centre is great, with a big window that shows off the mountain (when it’s not raining!). The inset photo shows what it looks like on a sunny day (photo credit: Viator).

I’m not really into hiking, but I still enjoyed exploring the artwork, the stained glass windows, and the unique circular lobby.

As we left Mount Cook, the sun came out again—and to top it off, we were treated to a full rainbow.

It was still early when we got back to Lake Tekapo, so we headed to the Church of the Good Shepherd to take a look.

We came from the other side of the bridge and decided to just walk, since there were so many cars parked near the church. I had a feeling we wouldn’t find any parking anyway.

The Church of the Good Shepherd opened in 1935 and is the only church in Lake Takapō. It’s still used by locals today and sits on a small hill with beautiful views of the lake.

Behind the church, we were surprised to see so many cairns (thanks Sarah for telling me what it’s called)—small stacks of stones carefully balanced on top of each other. It’s not an official part of the site, but it seems like visitors have been leaving them over time. It added a quiet, almost meditative feel to the area.

Lake Tekapo is famous for its bright, milky turquoise water. The colour comes from tiny rock particles created by glaciers over time. Looks like something out of a dream, doesn’t it?

On our way back to our Airbnb, we passed the MacLaren Footbridge again. There’s something so peaceful about that spot—just a simple crossing, but with beautiful views and a quiet charm that makes you want to slow down and take a deep breath.

I am linking this walk to Jo’s Monday Walk and the stained glass windows for Monday Window Challenge