Lake Pukaki Viewing Point: the best view of Mount Cook
The Lake Pukaki viewing point is a great place on the main route between Christchurch and Lake Tekapo, and it’s not at all far off the beaten track. It gives you the most spectacular views of Aoraki/Mount Cook.
There’s a sweet little spot which can hold about 40 to 50 cars and vans where a lot of people will stop off and walk up the very small hill to get an incredible view of Aoraki/Mount Cook across the lake in the Mackenzie basin.
You could easily stop here in just under five minutes and on a sunny day, the waters are a crystal clear cerulean blue and the water is a nice stop for a refreshing dip if you fancy it! Here are some of the best places to stop on your epic road trip on South Island and of course Lake Pukaki viewing point is top of the list!
This blog post may contain affiliate links.
Quick Mini Guide To Lake Pukaki
Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to Lake Pukaki.
Where to stay
- Pukaki: Lakeside getaway
- Tekapo: Peppers Bluewater Resort
- Mt Cook: The Hermitage
Top sights
- Stargazing in the dark sky reserve or Mount John observatory
- The stunning blue lake itself
- Book an air safari to see Mt Cook from above
- Go offroading
How to get there
Stay connected
Purchase an eSim with Airalo on your phone – Use discount code A&M3 for $3 off your first purchase.
Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel guides for things to do in North Island and South Island!
This blog post may contain affiliate links.
Best activities & tours on South Island
Here are some of the best New Zealand South Island tours! I always compare tours on Viator and Get Your Guide to check prices and different tour availability.
| Jet Boat & Wilderness experience – If you’re after an adrenaline experience then this is for you! Milford Sound Cruises – The best way to see the unofficial 8th wonder of the world. Franz Josef Glacier tours – one of the most iconic, stunning, incredible things to experience in South Island! Glenorchy & Paradise half day tour – if you’re after some beautiful sight seeing this is for you! Glow worm caves – Dont miss the iconic glow worm caves in South Island! Scenic Flights – One of the most iconic experiences in all of South Island, New Zealand. |
Lake Pukaki viewing point
You’re definitely going to want to mark this on your saved locations on Google Maps because Lake Pukaki is just one of those spectacular viewpoints overlooking the lake, and of course the highest mountain in New Zealand, which is Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Aoraki which is the Maori name for the mountain, aka, Mount Cook is around 3724 metres high and it’s very visible in the distance, especially on a clear day.
It’s fairly well signposted as well, so which ever direction you’re driving from you will see signs for the Lake Pukaki viewing point.
The only thing that’s worth noting is that it’s a great idea to bring a zoom lens here in order to make the mountain clearly visible in your photography and videography. We actually used a 200 mm lens with a cropped factor of 1.5 so full frame lens (equivalent to 300mm) would need a slightly more zoomed in lens to get the same effect.
Mike actually stood by the car park whilst I climbed a little hill in the distance, and he photograph me from there of the Lake Pukaki Viewing point, and we are able to achieve this effect.
There is a spot at the bottom to swim with beautiful crystal, clear, azure blue waters. Lake Pukaki viewing point is a great place to stop and have a picnic. Lots of people. In this area to swim and have a picnic and simply take some photographs and I recommend you also do the same.
Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel guides for things to do in North Island and South Island!
Camping Lake Pukaki
Please bear in mind that there is no freedom camping in this area, so it would be a good idea to have a look at some of the nearest campsites where you’ll be able to stay.
If you’re after some luxury, consider glamping on South Island for an epic time! Think bubble tents and whacky stays.
Have a look at some of the nearest campsites as many of them have great facilities, such as Wi-Fi Kitchen areas camp lounges with sofas and TVs and even an open library.
Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel guides for things to do in North and South Island!
Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel guides for things to do in North Island and South Island!
South Island Weather
Here is the average weather on the South Island by each month. The South Island of New Zealand experiences a diverse climate, with the west coast receiving high rainfall and the east coast being drier and cooler.
Seasonal temperatures vary widely, from warm, sunny summers to cold, snowy winters, especially in the mountainous regions.
South Island Weather in January
Average temperature: 15°C (59°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 15
Average sunrise time: 6:15 AM
Average sunset time: 9:30 PM
South Island Weather in February
Average temperature: 14°C (57°F)
Average rainy days: 7
Average daylight hours: 14
Average sunrise time: 6:45 AM
Average sunset time: 9:00 PM
South Island Weather in March
Average temperature: 12°C (54°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 12
Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
Average sunset time: 8:15 PM
South Island Weather in April
Average temperature: 9°C (48°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 11
Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:45 PM
South Island Weather in May
Average temperature: 6°C (43°F)
Average rainy days: 10
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:15 AM
Average sunset time: 5:30 PM
South Island Weather in June
Average temperature: 4°C (39°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:30 AM
Average sunset time: 5:15 PM
South Island Weather in July
Average temperature: 3°C (37°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:30 AM
Average sunset time: 5:30 PM
South Island Weather in August
Average temperature: 5°C (41°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 10
Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:00 PM
South Island Weather in September
Average temperature: 7°C (45°F)
Average rainy days: 10
Average daylight hours: 12
Average sunrise time: 6:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:30 PM
South Island Weather in October
Average temperature: 9°C (48°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 13
Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
Average sunset time: 7:45 PM
South Island Weather in November
Average temperature: 11°C (52°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 14
Average sunrise time: 6:00 AM
Average sunset time: 8:30 PM
South Island Weather in December
Average temperature: 13°C (55°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 15
Average sunrise time: 5:45 AM
Average sunset time: 9:15 PM
Quick links
| Here’s everything I use when I travel abroad: Tours – Compare tour prices on Viator and Get Your Guide Hotels – I always use Booking as the more hotels I book, I get a higher Genius discount. I also compare prices on Expedia. E-Sims – purchase an e-sim with Airalo on your phone so you can make calls and have mobile data abroad! There’s no need to remove your current sim card! Travel insurance – don’t ever go on vacation without travel insurance, you never know when you might need it! Travel essentials – have a look at a full list of travel essentials that I use, including the best power bank! |
Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel guides for things to do in North Island and South Island!
South Island Itinerary NZ 10 days
Full disclosure! Some of the links here are affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission from every booking made. This is at no extra cost to you. It helps keep me writing and sharing my travel guides free of charge to you 🙂 Thank you for your support! Read our affiliate policy here.
