Best view of the Mount Cook - Peters Lookout on the way to Mount Cook

Best view of the Mount Cook - Peters Lookout on the way to Mount Cook

Peters Lookout on the picturesque street for Mount Cook offers one of the best road prospects in New Zealand. From the viewpoint, the MT Cook Road meanders gently under the Ben ohau range, right next to the turquoise Lake Pukakai.

Peters Lookout on the street to Mount Cook offers one of these road trip photo shooting shots on the bucket list. On a clear day, the view ranges from the viewpoint and the road far out to incredible Aoraki (Mount Cook).

In this short guide, I will show you where to go and show you tips on how to photograph the perfect New Zealand RoadTrip.

The way to Mount Cook

The street to Mount Cook with the right name Mt Cook Road is one of the most scenic streets of New Zealand and one of my favorite streets in the world up there.

along the banks of the turquoise -colored Lake Pukaki leads the road directly towards the Mount Cook National Park.

while driving on, it seems as if the mountains are greater and larger with every kilometer that passes.

There are many places where you can discover and admire the view. The best and most iconic is Peters Lookout.
Alt = "Peters views of the lookout for Mount Cook">

How to get to Peters Lookout

Peters Lookout is about 13 km the Mount Cook Road (SH80) down near Ben Ohau Range (drive towards Mount Cook). There are several signs on the street in front of the viewing parking lot, so you will find it without any problems.

For those who drive from Wanaka to Peters Lookout, you have to expect about 2 hours of driving. From the junction at Pukaki it takes less than 15 minutes to reach the viewpoint.

The parking lot is on the right side of the street when you drive towards Mount Cook. There are sufficient parking spaces for dozens of vehicles. However, it can be full in the high season.

The best photo spots

On the way to Mount Cook, there are numerous photo opportunities for both aspiring photographers and opportunistic roadripper.

For Peters Lookout, I found that the best angles that capture the street, Mount Cook and the Lake Pukaki come from the fenced -in view area near the parking lot.
Alt = “Straße to Mount Cook at the viewpoint of Peters”>
For impressive street photos, you can take some great shots off the road right after the junction to the parking lot. Just pay attention to cars and do not stand out in the middle of the street.
Alt = “Peters Lookout Mount Cook View”>
If you continue the journey to Mount Cook, there are a few more excellent photo points when you get closer. Become creative and are not afraid to stop when the opportunity arises.
Alt = "Lake Pukaki Strasse to Mount Cook">
Tip: Pay attention to enough space to run over. We saw a car that was stuck when they were on one side that in their opinion was a grass area.

Connection: Mount Cook Reflection Pools on Lake Matheson

Tips for recording the perfect Mount Cook Road photo

In the following you will find some useful tips to achieve the best possible recordings.

• take pictures during the golden hour (the hour before sunset and the hour after sunrise)
• they become creative - low and high angles
• Wait for weather clearing - these clouds around Mount Cook are annoying stubborn
Photographing
• in winter-I couldn't do it any other way, but I saw some razor-sharp shots of the low Mount Cook snow border that look fantastic

Can you fly on the Mount Cook Road or on the Peters Lookout Drones?

The short answer is no. Well, unless you have an approval that is difficult to get, unless you are a professional photographer. There are even signs around Peters Lookout who warn people to fly drones. I'm not sure if there is Doc that patroll the viewpoint, but it is best to respect the local restrictions.

We worked with a company at the time and had a special permit to fly my drone on Mount Cook Road.
Alt = "Street to Mount Cook">

connected: Hooker Valley Track New Zealand

Camping in Mount Cook National Park

The best overnight accommodation in the Mount Cook National Park is the White Horse Hill Campsite.

Here are 60 parking spaces without power supply and you have to arrive early in the high season to secure a place. It is not possible to book online because it works according to the principle "Whoever comes first".

The fees are $ 15 per night and person.

More: 11 Epic Mount Cook View Locations-The best places to see Mount Cook

More photos of Peters Lookout and the street to Mount Cook

Below are some more photos of the Peters Lookout, the road to Mount Cook and other views of Mount Cook. I hope you inspire you to take some great, unique pictures.

I would also like to see the photos you do. Mark a link to your Instagram in the comments below when you capture a blast.
Alt = “Pukaki Sea”>
Alt = "Peters viewing road to Mount Cook">
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My camera and photo equipment

• Mirrorless camera: Canon R5
• drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
• 360-degree action camera: Insta360 One X2
• landscape lens: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8l
• all-round lens: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
• telephoto lens: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4.5–7.1 l
• Long action rod: Insta360 Invisible Pole (Bullettime)
• landscape lens filter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
• camera backpack: F-stop Tilopa
• Favorite photo accessories: Peak Design Capture Clip

A list of my recommended photo equipment (including what I use and why) can be found in my guide for camera equipment for the trip.

If you want to use one of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my print store or contact me directly for customs deductions from pictures on WE Seek Travel.

Other free travel guides and blogs

I hope you found this short guide to the Peters Lookout and the Mount Cook Road photo motif. You can find more free travel guides under some of the lower left or start with this mega post for the 31 best hikes on the South Island of New Zealand.

Alt = “Peters Viewpoint Mount Cook View">

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