The Mount Cook region – sometimes called the Mackenzie Country – is the high inland basin beneath the Southern Alps and Aoraki/Mount Cook. At 3753m Mount Cook – its Maori name is Aoraki, meaning Cloud Piercer – is New Zealand's highest mountain. It towers above a splendid cast of massive snow-clad peaks that make up the Mount Cook National Park.
The region is known for its vast open spaces and golden, tussock-covered hills rolling towards the towering Southern Alps and turquoise glacial lakes such as Lake Tekapo. In many ways Lake Tekapo village on the shore of the country's highest large lake, is the centre of the Mackenzie Country.
Lake Tekapo's geographical and central location is protected from rough coastal weather by the Southern Alps in the west and the Two Thumb Range to the east. This allows this highland location to enjoy some of New Zealand's highest sunshine hours and lowest average wind speeds. Rainfall is just 575 millimeters (23 inches) annually.
Scenic flights over Mount Cook National Park or helicopter tours to one of its glaciers start from Lake Tekapo and are often less weather dependent than glacier flights taken from Franz Josef or Fox Glacier, on the western side of the Southern Alps.
Tekapo's most popular landmark, the Church of the Good Shepherd sits on the lake shores and has a spectacular view of the Southern Alps framed by its altar window. The pretty stone church has hosted thousands of weddings since its dedication in 1935. A tailor-made wedding package can be arranged by Umfulana.
Our Tours to This Region
 Highlights of New Zealand - in Style
South Island: Nature, Wildlife and Maori Culture
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| Church of the Good Shepherd on Lake Tekapo |
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