Aoraki/Mount Cook

Our DOC camp booklet says there is a camp at White Horse Hill, just 2km on from the Mount Cook Village so this was our destination and camping spot for the next three nights. The camp is set at the base of the mountains, with a fantastic view of Mt Sefton and all of its glaciers. A view of the 'mountain' itself is not visible but a short walk around the very large pile of moraine gives you all the view you want. The camp itself is basic, with toilets, a shelter with sinks to wash dishes, treated water and a dump for your waste water.  We arrived mid afternoon and even then finding a spot large enough for the bus was not easy. Thank goodness we didn't leave it any later in the day. I think at dusk there were at least 70 vehicles parked up, included campervans, caravans, sleeper vans, cars with tenters and of course our bus. 

Our campsite at White Horse Hill DOC camp. Mt Sefton is in the background

We both have been to the area in the past but never taken the time to explore the walking tracks or even just spend any time. We can highly recommend anyone to allow 2-3 days minimum to have a good look around. We walked up the Hooker Valley to the Hooker Valley. This was a 3 hour return trip and well worth the effort. We took a packed lunch and spent time at the lake taking in the scenery. The glaciers are melting at a very fast rate and there were big chunks to be seen floating in the lake.  We were only a few weeks late to have seen the Mount Cook Lily, (it isn't a lily but really the world's largest buttercup) in flower. It is great to see it thriving in this valley, happening since deer and grazing animals have been removed from the park. 

Taking a break to take in the views

A broken piece of ice from the Hooker Glacier.

Looking up the Hooker valley at a  view of Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Another good walk is in the Tasman Valley. A short drive up the valley first, before a 15min walk up to a lookout over the lake and up the valley to the Tasman glacier. It is very easy to see how quickly the glacier is retreating, as only as far back as 1996 it was right down the valley in the area that we were standing. A loop walk on the way back to the car took us via the blue lakes. This walk wasn't nearly as popular as the lookout one, and mostly it was just us and nature.

A view of the Tasman Glacier about 2km up the valley.

Stephen looking down the Tasman Valley.

Looking across to the line of the glacier, around 1996.

The Blue Lake

There is also lots to do in the village itself. It is well worth allowing plenty of time to have a good look around the Information. There is plenty for everyone, with history from early Maori with their legend of Aoraki, to early farming, to the development of the Park and the Hermitage. The staff are very helpful and plenty of people were making use of their knowledge to plan trips or learn more about the area.

The Hermitage is accessible for everyone, regardless of whether you are staying there or not. There is a large shopping area with all the usual tourist products, but also a small area selling the basic of groceries. The Edmund Hillary Centre is dedicated to Sir Ed's involvement in the park, though we only looked down in to the area from the cafe/bar where we shouted ourselves a wine while we sat and enjoyed the views of the mountains.

Our last walk was a bush walk in the area behind the Hermitage, through Governors Bush. This took us up quite high and commanded some excellent views. Many of our native plants were also labeled and it was good to know just how many of these I now know having spent all those hours at the Southland Community Nursery.

Stephen taking a rest at the top

A view up the valley to Aoraki/Mount Cook

For further information about the area http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/aoraki-mount-cook/features/