The drive into Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is one of the most breathtaking in New Zealand. The road follows the edge of Lake Pukaki, with the snow-capped peak of Aoraki Mount Cook standing tall at the end of the valley.

One of the best stops along the way is Peter’s Lookout, where you’ll get a perfect vantage point of the lake and mountain framed together. There’s plenty of space to pull over, and it’s an ideal spot for photos. If you’ve got a zoom lens, bring it—it helps make the mountain really stand out in your shots. Sunrise and sunset are especially magical here, with golden light spilling across the peaks.