There are multiple walks around the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park that suits any fitness level. It ranges from a lazy 10-min loop to an exhausting 3-4 hour hikes. The most famous trail is the Hooker Valley Track that takes about 4 hours return. You can either start from the Visitor Centre or the White Horse Hill carpark at the end of Hooker Valley Rd off State Highway 80. 

Family Pic at a road sign at Mt Cook Village

This place is particularly memorable, epecially for Kareena. Because unlike Maan, who used to live in Japan and has experienced snowstorms in multiple occassions, Kareena has never seen one. First thing she did was just to play around the snow. "So, this is what White Christmas feels like?" she said. The joy of an actual Christmas snowfall probably isn't even close to half of it, but why break her bubble, right?

Start of the track

This mostly flat stretch of ice and rocks provides a picture perfect backdrop of snowcapped mountains and picturesque glaciers. The well-formed tracks provides you with a scenic walk across the foothills of Mt Cook's terrain.

 Alpine Memorial

15-mins into the track is the Alpine Memorial, a good rest point. I know! You haven't even warmed up yet and here we are talking about where to stop. :) The memorial is perched atop a steep hill, which was proven to be difficult to climb without proper shoes, as it was very steep and some rock steps were icy.

Maan off the lens for now

SwingBridge

Hooker Valley Track takes you through multiple swingbridges over the Hooker River. Most people only go towards the First Swingbridge and return back to campground (takes roughly 30mins, return). Prior to reaching the First Swingbridge, there is an observation area for the first valley of glaciers that runs along the River. The track then descends down to a wooden staircase towards the bridge.

If you listen closely, you will hear the ever-changing landscape of glaciers falling and tumbling. Of nature changing its canvas and starting anew.

 At the First Swing Bridge

Kareena's sister, a lost bear!

As we are fat and very unhealthy people (bwahaha), we only took only went through the First Swingbridge and didn’t even bother going through. They say the view gets better as you move along. However, we can no longer differentiate the rumbling sounds between the falling glaciers and our tummies so we decided to hike back to the carpark. We suggest bringing in a good energy fuel when taking this route. We were famished by the time we went back to the campgrounds. 

The hike back 

Fallen snow angel! :)

 

#nofilter. #iphoneonly. Yep! Blest to have seen such beauty

Starving and tired from this hike, plus another 3-hr drive back to Queenstown, there was definitely no other option for us to ensure a good dinner other than with Fergburger!

Heaven in a bag!

And it is without a joke, THE BEST BURGERS WE’VE EVER TASTED! At the price of NZ$11-17 (U$7-12), its really cheap considering its humongous size! You would have paid double at a restaurant for its serving size but still wont get the same quality and taste you’ll get from Ferg’s! Simply the best! (notice we haven't ended our sentence with a period yet?! it's that good!!!) And now we're salivating!! hmmm..