![Mount Cook Highway, a breathtaking winding road on the side of Lake Pukaki in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/DSC_0087-Edit-1.jpg)
Scenic Alpine Roads in New Zealand-Part 2
New Zealand has everything a landscape photographer could dream of. As I said in Part 1 of this blog, we established our home base in Queenstown, a scenic alpine town on the side of Lake Wakatipu from which we set to explore all of the neighbouring regions, highlighting the most scenic parts of the alpine roads. I wrote this article as a supplement to my recently published New Zealand Landscapes Photography Book.
If you travel North along the S-shaped Lake Wakatipu, you arrive at Glenorchy and can explore the wilderness of the Southern Alps on the very remote Glenorchy-Paradise Road; If you go on the Southern Scenic Route via Kingston and Devil’s Staircase, you travel to Te Anau, which will be the starting point for exploring the fjords. Milford Highway in Fiordland National Park is the only way to go from Te Anau to Milford Sound, the most spectacular natural feature of New Zealand’s Southern Island.
From Wanaka, you can travel further on the scenic Haast Highway through lavish rainforests in Mount Aspiring National Park towards the Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier in Westland Tai Poutini National Park.
In my previous article, I showed how you travel from Wanaka through Lindis Pass to Lake Pukaki. From there it is worth taking the spectacular Mount Cook Highway towards the highest mountain in the South Island – Aoraki / Mount Cook.
4. Glenorchy-Paradise Road
Glenorchy is a charming touristic village situated at the Northern end of Lake Wakatipu. Across the lake, there is Kinoch, another remote location with a wharf, unspoiled alpine scenery with snow-capped mountains and golden pastures with sheep.
![The Road to Paradise in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0117-Edit.jpg)
![Willow trees in water at Glenorchy Wharf, New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0089-Edit-1new.jpg)
![Golden lit trees at Glenorchy Wharf in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0793-Pano-Edit.jpg)
![Unspoiled alpine scenery at Kinloch Wharf, New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/DSC_0228-Pano-Edit-1.jpg)
![Moon rising at Glenorchy Wharf, New Zealand, South Island.](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0103-Edit.jpg)
![Small red barn at Glenorchy Wharf close to sunset in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0831-Edit-no_sign.jpg)
![Snow-capped mountains on the remote Paradise Rd, New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0109-Edit-2.jpg)
![Pastoral New Zealand Landscape Scenery on Glenorchy-Kinloch Road.](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0323-Edit.jpg)
This is also the final leg of the Routeburn Track, which is world-renowned and one of the most spectacular hiking trails in New Zealand. From Glenorchy-Kinloch Road you can admire the famous Isengard, featured as a background in many fantasy movies and then, weather permitting, continue on Paradise road to even more remote wilderness.
5. Haast Highway
The scenic Haast Highway is the best way to get from the West Coast to Wanaka. There are many easy pull-offs along the way and trails that are well worth taking. I recommend devoting at least a day to this drive. There are pretty waterfalls on the way, picturesque Bruce Bay beach with sea stacks and extraordinary dramatic landscape created by the melting glaciers at the bottom of Franz Josef Glacier.
![Fantail Falls - Spring View -Beautiful fresh look at Fantail Falls in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0527-Edit.jpg)
![Rainforest floor with ferns at Haast Pass in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0507-Edit.jpg)
![Light from above at at Thunder Creek Falls in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0587-Edit.jpg)
![Amazing close up view at Cameron Flat on Haast Highway in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0495-Edit.jpg)
![Picturesque road through the rainforest on Haast Highway in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0489-Edit.jpg)
![Blue and gold on the side of Lake Hawea in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0346-Edit.jpg)
![Golden glowing trees and sun rays behind the mountain at Lake Hawea in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0254-Edit.jpg)
![Mountain range picturesque view at Lake Hawea in New Zealand.](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0213-Edit.jpg)
Glacier Country is one of only two places in the world where you can view glaciers descending into temperate rainforests. Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are some of the most accessible glaciers in the world.
The land where the glaciers are located is sandwiched between the sea and the highest mountains in New Zealand. You can view the front of Franz Josef Glacier with a fairly easy valley walk. An extraordinary view of the dramatic landscape opens up at Robert’s Point Track, where you can see the glacier melting into the Waiho River, rugged terrain of ice, stone and water.
![Robert's Point Track View at Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0010-Edit.jpg)
![Hiking trough the Franz Josef Glacier Valley in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0772-Edit.jpg)
![Franz Josef Glacier melting into Waiho River in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0030-Pano-Edit.jpg)
![Franz Josef Glacier -close-up View from Robert Point in New Zealand.](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0991-Edit.jpg)
![Knight's Point Lookout of the West Coast of New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0711-Pano-Edit.jpg)
![Bruce Bay beach at sunset on Haast Hwy in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0107-Edit.jpg)
6. Mount Cook Highway
The winding Mount Cook Highway, on the side of Lake Pukaki in the direction of Mount Cook, is the most picturesque road in New Zealand’s South Island and maybe the whole world. Lake Pukaki gets its intense milky-turquoise colour from the fine rock-flour (ground by glaciers) which is suspended in the water. Allow yourself time to explore the Mt Cook region, as every view is a feast for the senses. A helicopter ride is also recommended.
![Mount Cook State Highway in New Zealand, South Island](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0038-Edit_1.jpg)
![Beautiful view of Lake Pukaki, an alpine lake in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_1690-Edit-1.jpg)
![Snow-capped Mount Cook engulfed in clouds in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_1705-1.jpg)
![Panoramic view from Mount Cook Highway, a spectacular road trip in NZ](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/DSC_0143-Pano-1.jpg)
7. Milford Highway
Milford Sound is the most famous fjord on the South Island of New Zealand. It is a fusion of spectacular natural features, glaciers, rainforests and waterfalls. You can hop on a day or overnight cruise and admire the spectacular nature of the fjord with sheer cliffs and waterfalls. But you can also make an adventure of the journey there on Milford Highway, with many pretty stops along the way.
For more about our Milford Sound experience please see my article on Albom Adventures: An epic overnight Milford Sound Cruise -Spectacular Photo Opportunities
![Lake Gunn on Milford Highway in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/DSC_0503-Pano-Edit-1.jpg)
![People visiting Elighton Valley in New Zealand.](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0534-Edit.jpg)
![Bottlenose dolphins in the fjord at Milford Sound](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0223-Pano-Edit.jpg)
![Kia, the inquisitive New Zealand native parrot on top of a car at Mount Talbot on Milford highway](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0126-Edit.jpg)
![Cruise boats at Milford Sound Marina on a cloudy day. in New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_1939-Edit-1.jpg)
Daniela Constantinescu is the author of Most Photogenic and Inspiring New Zealand Landscapes on the South Island, available on sale at Blurb Bookstore.
![Tjibaou Cultural Centre, the Kanak native art museum by Renzo Piano in Noumea, New Caledonia](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/DSC7211-Edit-1-75x75.jpg)
![Golden grasses at Lindis Pass Summit in Otago Region, New Zealand](https://blog.danielaphotography.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/DSC_0570-Edit-1-75x75.jpg)