Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is home to the highest mountains and the longest glaciers.  In the purest sense, it is alpine.  It locates under a sky covered with stars with high peaks, glaciers, and permanent snowfields.
According to Ngai Tahu legend, Aoraki and his three brothers were the sons of their father Rakinui, who is the sky.  While on a voyage, their boat capsized on a reef.  As the brothers climbed aboard their boat, the icy south wind blew them away.  The boat became the South Island (Te Waka o Aoraki).  Thus Aoraki and his brothers became the peaks of the Southern Alps.
Aoraki Mount Cook covers 23 peaks at an altitude of 3000 meters but is easily accessible.  State Highway 80 is located in the village of Aoraki / Mount Cook, near Lake Pukaki.  Being so located provides an easy base for alpine activities.  Away from the city lights, it is wonderful to see the stars here.  Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is the largest international dark sky reserve in New Zealand.
This is considered by Australia to be one of the best mountaineering destinations in the world, with low-skilled adventurers enjoying the alpine meadows, herbaceous and scenic glaciers.  Meeting Chiki Ki (mountain parrots) is part of the fun. The 27 km long Tasman Glacier is a powerful tool for landscaping.  While it slowly carves out the sides of the valley, it also provides a landing place for small skis and helicopters.  A genuine, milky lake is a feature of the park.  But the suspended, glacial-rocky sediment here obscures the water.