We said cheerio to Mark and set of for McKenzie country. The home of Mount Cook New Zealand's largest mountain, Tasmin Glacier, turquoise lakes and other large mountain ranges.
The Journey
We took the drive from Marks and headed west towards the mountains. Stopping at Twizel for supplies we decided to keep going as there was not much to see.
We decided to camp at Lake Tekapo and entered the dark zone. The dark zone is a natural protected star gazing site in New Zealand, hardly anyone lives here but the people that do use special lights in their homes to reduce light pollution and you can see some of the best stars in the world because of it.
First the lake, the blue is something else and I still dont have a picture that does it justice but when the light hits the water the minerals from the glacier turn a vivid aqua colour that I have seen no where else.
We took in Lake Tekapo and decided to head for the observatory and our camp for the night. We camped on the side of Lake Alexandria, about 100 caravans lined the campsite but no one was there but us all night it was a bit eerie but we had some ducks for company.
Blanket ready we unfolded the camping chairs wrapped ourselfs in blankets and with tea in hand settled in for the stars to come out and give us a show.
They were good but I have seen better in other parts of New Zealand it was a clear night but the moon was quite bright so didnt get to see the purples of the milkyway.
Next morning we woke to rain our plans for walks and adventure didnt seem likely but we had come all this way we were going to see Mount Cook.
Not far from where we were about 90mins drive is Mount Cook Village surrounded by mountain ranges as far as the eye can see you are officially in the heart of the Southern Alps.
So with the weather against us we decided to head back to Mark's before we took on Aurthur's pass and the next leg of our journey.
The Journey
We took the drive from Marks and headed west towards the mountains. Stopping at Twizel for supplies we decided to keep going as there was not much to see.
We decided to camp at Lake Tekapo and entered the dark zone. The dark zone is a natural protected star gazing site in New Zealand, hardly anyone lives here but the people that do use special lights in their homes to reduce light pollution and you can see some of the best stars in the world because of it.
First the lake, the blue is something else and I still dont have a picture that does it justice but when the light hits the water the minerals from the glacier turn a vivid aqua colour that I have seen no where else.
We took in Lake Tekapo and decided to head for the observatory and our camp for the night. We camped on the side of Lake Alexandria, about 100 caravans lined the campsite but no one was there but us all night it was a bit eerie but we had some ducks for company.
Blanket ready we unfolded the camping chairs wrapped ourselfs in blankets and with tea in hand settled in for the stars to come out and give us a show.
They were good but I have seen better in other parts of New Zealand it was a clear night but the moon was quite bright so didnt get to see the purples of the milkyway.
Next morning we woke to rain our plans for walks and adventure didnt seem likely but we had come all this way we were going to see Mount Cook.
Not far from where we were about 90mins drive is Mount Cook Village surrounded by mountain ranges as far as the eye can see you are officially in the heart of the Southern Alps.
So with the weather against us we decided to head back to Mark's before we took on Aurthur's pass and the next leg of our journey.
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