Mckenzie Country of New Zealand

---

Cruising through the Mackenzie Country is great fun. The roads are quality with lack of traffic and the scenery is world class. The major tourist community you come to is Lake Tekapo a very small place on the lake that gives it its name. The first thing you will notice is the glacial lake as you approach the town. The stunning light turquoise colour of the lakes in the high country is caused by finely ground particles of rock held in suspension that reflects the light.
At Lake Tekapo be sure to go down to the lake where the small Church of the Good Shepherd is located and where a bronze statue has been placed in tribute to the hard working sheep dog of New Zealand without which no sheep farmer could exist.
After Lake Tekapo back onto Route 8 and on to Mount Cook where you may plan to stay the night depending on your timing. There is a great DoC camp to camp or you may wish to enjoy the pleasures of the Lodge.
Not withstanding the township of Tekapo their are abundant places to freedom camp seemingly just around every corner. We enjoy stopping besides any number of the lesser lakes and spending a night where I can try my luck at scaring trout with my fly rod flailing. No matter what the scenery is worth any stay. last time through when the lupins were in full bloom I took almost 400 photos that day. Just couldn't help myself. The weather was perfect and the results were stunning. Sent a bunch to famly and friends who now tell me they use them on their desktop.

---

Photos

Lake Pukaki
Lake Pukaki and Mt. Cook and the springtime bloom of the mountain lupins

Mt. Cooki
Mt Cook in the high country of New Zealand

Mountain Lupins
The spring time in Mackenzie Country

On the Road through Mackenzie Country
The road through the beautiful high country of New Zealand

Mackenzie Country Hills
The dry barren hills of the high country

Mt Cook/Lake Pukaki
The beauty of the Mackenzie Country