Lake Pukaki is easily one of the most stunning and photographed locations in New Zealand. It’s the largest lake in the Mackenzie Region of the South Island and a must-visit if you’re heading to Mount Cook National Park.

Although I may sound dramatic, I mean it when I say the lake will make you stop in your tracks as you try to make sense of what's in front of you. The water is impossibly blue, thanks to finely ground rock particles from the glacier and sparkles in the sun.

But what makes the lake even more stunning is that it's located at the foot of the Southern Alps. If you're lucky and visit on a clear day, you'll see the snow-capped peaks of NZ's tallest mountain, Aoraki, as it rises over the lake, creating a scene straight out of a postcard.

Lake Pukaki is only two hours and 40 minutes from Queenstown, three and a half hours from Christchurch or just 30 minutes from nearby Lake Tekapo. Although you can visit the lake with a tour group, renting a car is a better option as it allows you to stop at viewpoints as often as you like and take in the lake's beauty at your own pace.

If you’re driving between Queenstown, Christchurch, and Mount Cook, you’ll pass by Lake Pukaki on your trip. The road to Aoraki is one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand. If you've spent any time on social media looking at photos of the South Island, you might recognise the famous winding road leading you right into the heart of the Southern Alps, with bright blue water on one side and dramatic peaks in the distance.

It's still worth visiting Lake Pukaki, even if you're not visiting Aoraki, as there are few places in New Zealand that capture the sheer beauty of the South Island like this. However, I recommend adding Mount Cook National Park to your road trip itinerary - it's truly one of the most beautiful places in the world.