The Many Colours of Mackenzie Country

“The mountains are calling and I must go.”

– John Muir

It takes twelve hours. From stepping out the door of our Sydney apartment to stepping onto the shores of Lake Tekapo.  Drive to the airport, park the car, check in, customs, a cup of strong coffee in the empty terminal  (it is too early, what was I thinking), get on the plane, watch a movie, land in Christchurch, get off the plane, pick up the bags, customs, rental car, drive for three hours, check into Peppers Bluewater, grab the camera, run outside. Breathe deeply. This is where a part of my heart lives.

It is funny, every time we drive there I am panicking in the car – how will the light be?? Will the white peaks welcome us from far away, or they will be wrapped in clouds, not making an appearance for a while? Will it rain? Will I be able to photograph the sunset or it will be wet and grey and dark when we arrive?

Guess what. Every time we arrive, it rains. But then there is a rainbow. Always. There is a hundred percent chance for me to see the rainbow when I am in Lake Tekapo. I am not sure what it is, but it is one of the reasons I believe in the magic of that place. And the best photos are always from those crazy days when clouds and rain and sunshine and rainbows and fog and wind are all happening around us.

Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Mount Cook, Lindis Pass. My four favourite spots in the vastness of the Mackenzie Country, a big open space where mountains rise up to the sky, and the only traffic jam you can find yourself in is when a herd of sheep is crossing the road. Where you can photograph the sunset light on Mount Cook from the balcony of your hotel room. Where the water is turquoise and opaque. Where the hills look like velvet (or chocolate). Where a helicopter takes you up to the sky to be amongst the  snowy peaks and fly above the ancient ice of the glaciers.

A place where dreams come true. And it is only twelve hours away.

Travel tips: when travelling to the Mackenzie,  we always rent cars from Apex Rentals, stay in Peppers Bluewater Resort in Lake Tekapo (the surprisingly affordable Deluxe Lakeview Hotel Room is our choice, we found that regular rooms are just too small plus have no view), and The Hermitage in Mount Cook (standard Mount Cook View rooms are great – they have balconies and are located in the recently renovated wing).

And I highly recommend a helicopter flight with The Helicopter Line – that experience will stay with me forever.