From Lakestone Lodge to Christchurch: A Day of History, Hiking & Good Eats

Another road trip day with Neil, and another day filled with incredible scenery, history, and great food! We left Lakestone Lodge in the morning, making our way around Lake Pukaki to reach Mount Cook, the tallest peak in New Zealand.

A Stop at the Mount Cook Village Visitor Center

Along the way, we stopped at the Mount Cook Village Visitor Center, which turned out to be a really fascinating place. It’s packed with historical memorabilia, chronicling the journeys of mountain climbers dating back to the early 1900s. One thing that stood out was how well they acknowledged the women climbers of the day, displaying their gear and sharing their stories—a refreshing and inspiring touch.

On a more sobering note, the center also has In Memoriam books listing climbers who have lost their lives on Mount Cook. The sheer number of names was staggering—a stark reminder of how unforgiving the mountain can be.

A Short Hike on the Hooker Trail

Feeling inspired (but maybe not that inspired), we took on the very beginning of the Hooker Valley Track, just enough to reach the memorial for lost climbers and a suspension bridge with jaw-dropping views of the mountains and surrounding valley. It was an excellent way to stretch our legs and soak in the scenery.

Christchurch: A City in Rebuild Mode

From there, we continued our drive to Christchurch, arriving in the early evening. After a long day in the car, we took a walking tour of the city, which is still in the process of rebuilding after the devastating 5.7 earthquake in 2016. While Christchurch has come a long way, some areas are still recovering—including the central Cathedral, which has stalled in reconstruction due to a lack of funding. Neil, a Christchurch local, shared his thoughts on how important that structure is to the heart of the city and how much he hopes to see it restored someday.

Dinner & a Cozy Stay

After exploring, we tracked down dinner at Riverside Food Market, where we nibbled on some Greek gyros (nom nom). A perfect casual meal after a long day of travel.

That night, we checked into The George, where we enjoyed a nice, spacious room and a hot shower—sometimes, it’s the little things that make all the difference!

Tomorrow, another adventure awaits! 😊