New Zealand South Island｜From Snowy Peaks to Flower Fields｜Mount Cook｜Lake Tekapo's Springtime Lupine Bloom

｜Itinerary｜ Starting from Lake Tekapo, follow the familiar Highway 80 into Mount Cook National Park. This time, the scenery is painted in spring colors, with blooming lupines lining the roadside, accompanying us all the way to the end of the Hooker Valley Track. The trail is 5 kilometers one way, flat and easy to walk, making it perfect for a half-day hike. ｜Transportation｜ Driving is recommended. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Tekapo to the trailhead. The scenic drive is well worth it. The trail has parking and basic restroom facilities. After completing the hike, you can return to Tekapo for accommodation. ｜Review｜ This marks my fifth visit to Mount Cook in just three months. From snowy landscapes to blooming flowers, each visit brings new surprises. This time, it's the late spring and early summer lupine bloom—a seasonal spectacle. Standing in the same valley, the changing seasons have repainted the scenery. At the end of the trail, Hooker Lake basks in the warm sunlight, with the faint rumble of ice avalanches in the background. The grandeur and healing power of nature leave you speechless. I recommend starting your hike after midday for softer light and cooler temperatures. As you look back on the journey, you'll find it was all worth it.