At a time when escaping New Zealand winter isn’t possible, we may as well embrace it and give our tourism sector a shot in the arm while we’re at it. Tekapo and Aoraki (Mt Cook) offer the goods, and then some. Vast landscapes, snow-capped peaks, and the dark sky reserve status is there for a reason.

Tekapo by night, with the often-photographed Church of the Good Shepherd tucked away in the corner

Morning snow, frozen toes. Pack your merinos

Aoraki (Mt Cook) translates to “The Sky Piercer” and at 3724m is the tallest mountain in Aotearoa. The Hooker Glacier sits beneath like an icy fence guarding this mountain mansion

Tasman Glacier

Milky Way on full display

Tasman Glacier, from a different angle

Plateau Hut, must have needed a few RMA consents to get that done