A full day trip from Christchurch to the Mount Cook region of the Southern Alps and the Mount Cook Village that includes travelling through the beautiful scenic inland area south of Christchurch and into the Mackenzie Country District that is deep in history and named after the shepherd James Mackenzie. 

James MacKenzie was a colourful character who stole sheep off local farms and then hid them in what was then a very remote and inaccessible location of the South Island.  

From the Mount Cook area one may take a scenic helicopter flight that includes a snow landing high up into the Mount Cook National Park, to be amazed with the awesome mountain scenery.

The area is also home to the magnificent glacial feed lakes of Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki and Lake Ohau. These natural lakes and other man-made lakes and canals form part of the country's largest hydro-electricity scheme that provides much of New Zealand's electricity.

Also located within the glacial waters are commercial salmon farms, and due to the purity of the water the salmon flesh is of extremely high quality and is exported throughout the world. A visit to the salmon farm outlet shop enables one the opportunity to taste fresh Salmon at the source.