A-Z of NZ Locations, Walks

A-Z NZ Locations – Aoraki National Park, Mt Cook

Suzanne

There are so many of our longer must-do walks that are well published, and there are people who have no desire to do them and much prefer a few short walks. I am beginning to see the merits and advantages of taking in shorter ones for instant gratification rather than sometimes gruelling day-after-day tramping.

One particular alpine walk was enjoyed too many years ago and needs to be repeated by me in the near future; in the meantime, let me take you there via images captured on those glorious few hours with very few tourists on the track.

Kea Point Track

Scenery incoming.

Brace yourself.

You will honestly have your breath taken away, and Kea Point Track is one of the most rewarding short walks in New Zealand’s alpine country. As far as fitness goes, this track is suitable for most fitness levels and is classed as easy.

As you head along the gravel path and onwards, even for those in a hurry, the desire to just stand and absorb what is in front, behind and beside you is overwhelming. Especially when you stop at the viewing platform, Mueller Lake spreads out below you, and Aoraki/Mount Cook fills the skyline behind it.

The Keas

You’re going to hit your inner pause button when you reach the top.

Walk Details

The Platform

There are two ways to do this walk.

You can start from Mount Cook Village for the full 5.6 km return, which is the one I chose to do or drive to White Horse Hill Campground to cut it to a quick 2.8 km out-and-back, taking about an hour from the car.

From the village, the first section is a flat, winding path that alternates between well-laid gravel and wooden boardwalks. The landscape alternates between patches of subalpine scrub and open grassland, with mountain views regularly opening up. After heavy rain, and luckily it was dry when I ventured there, though there’s a stream crossing near the start that can be ankle-deep. In dry conditions, it’s just a rock bed that I encountered.

After what seems about 1/2 hour, you’ll reach a trail map sign. The path widens from here, and shortly after you’ll hit the junction where the Sealy Tarns and Mueller Hut tracks branch off to the left. Keep right and follow the Kea Point signs.

Mueller Lake

From the junction, the vegetation changes and the track begins to climb steadily. It’s not steep, but there’s a consistent incline for the final section. The path narrows and threads through a gap in a rock wall before opening out onto the viewing deck.

At the top, where Mueller Lake spreads out directly below, its milky glacial colour comes from fine rock particles suspended in the meltwater. Icebergs from the Mueller Glacier are often visible floating in the lake. Mount Sefton fills the skyline to one side, and Aoraki/Mount Cook rises behind the valley.

Before returning, I found a good spot and enjoyed lunch, then returned the same way.

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Published by Suzanne

I'm a lover of creativity and movement, expressed through photography, words, travel and sports. . . . . . .

29 thoughts on “A-Z NZ Locations – Aoraki National Park, Mt Cook”

  2. Great pictures Suzanne and brings back happy memories of walking the Hooker Valley Track some years ago, the walking and scenery in NZ is incredible šŸ˜ it’s a shame it’s literally on the other side of the world to me!

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    1. Jim, I think we all have wonderful backyards in which to explore without long-haul travel. Perhaps that will happen more as increasing costs and global conflict keep raising it’s ugly head and making it more difficult to travel. Plus we’re an aging society which has it’s own challenges, mostly good ones šŸ˜‰

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    1. Yes, that long-haul flight is a downer, though we Kiwi wanderers are used to it; for some, it’s an excuse not to get out of their comfort zone. That’s why we loved being based over in the Northern Hemisphere, so close to somewhere different. At least you’ve visited NZ.

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    1. Well, you two are sensible, as most visitors think they can “see” both islands in a couple of weeks. In many ways, I think the North Island gives a visitor an authentic view of Kiwiana, whereas the South Island has stunning vistas that can be seen around the world, such as Mt Cook.

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