The Mackenzie region is like stepping into the great wide open and is where you can discover the highest mountains, awe-inspiring glaciers, vivid turquoise lakes, golden grasslands and dazzling starry skies. Home to Aoraki/Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo, this region is one of the most photographed and visited in all of New Zealand. Take a scenic flight into the mountains and land on glaciers; enjoy the night sky within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve orexplore the amazingly beautiful landscape by cycling, walking or kayaking.
The Mackenzie is ideal for stargazing as it is home to the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Reserve, New Zealand’s largest reserve at 4,367 square kilometres. The spacious landscape coupled with strict lighting controls ensures you’ll get a stellar view of the night sky. There’s a wide range of ways to view the night sky to choose from: a working observatory, floating in hammocks in hot pools, a wine cellar, farm tours, and even small group tours that deliver a bespoke experience at your accommodation. You can also try your hand at astrophotography with one of the region’s talented guide/photographers. Another option is to bring some cosy blankets and folding chairs (don’t forget a thermos of hot chocolate!) and find your own special place to ponder the universe beneath the stars. There are plenty of good locations on the canal roads, and seeing the stars reflected in the water is truly a special sight.
Home to New Zealand’s tallest mountain, the mighty Aoraki/Mount Cook, where there are many walking and hiking tracks, most of which are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. The Hooker Valley track is one of the most popular with spectacular mountain views, alpine streams and impressive swing bridges. The village has a range of accommodation, cafes, restaurants and activities as well as an excellent DOC visitor centre. The country’s largest glacier – the Haupapa/Tasman Glacier is also located in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
There are a range of turquiose blue lakes thorughout the region, the blue (turquoise) colour is due to fine silt particles, or glacial flour, in the water. This is a result of glacial erosion. The silt is so fine it does not settle to the bottom quickly, remaining in suspension in the lake water. When light hits the surface of the lake, the silt absorbs some of the light (the very short wave lengths like purple and indigo) and the water absorbs the longer wavelengths (like red, orange and yellow). This leaves the blue-green wavelengths to be scattered back to our eyes, so we see the lake as a brilliant blue/green colour. Some wonderful photo opportunites!