Exploring the Tasman Valley's Glacial Landscape
Located near the end of State Highway 80 in Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park, the Tasman Lake Track is a short walk up the Tasman Glacier moraine to a viewpoint above Tasman Lake. The moraine is an amazing jumble of rocks and boulders, a testament to the power of glaciation. As time passes, the rock pile is gradually being overtaken by mountain shrubs and tussocks, giving the feel of a mountain garden.
Walking to the Glacial Moraine
Once you reach the car park at the end of the road, a 15-minute, steep, stepped walk takes you to the top of the glacial moraine, 80 metres above the lake.
Along the way, you'll find a unique community of hardy alpine shrubs and plants. These include wiry shrubs like Dracophyllum uniflorum and hebes, which cling to the dry, gravelly moraine soils. Cushion plants known as "vegetable sheep" and other species form dense mats among the rocks. Low-growing coprosma and prostrate pimelea add subtle greens, while silvery-leaved mountain daisies (Celmisia semicordata) are common. Watch out for the sharp-tipped leaves of the iconic speargrass, which contribute to the rugged beauty of the area. These plants are not only visually striking but also demonstrate how life slowly reclaims the raw rocky terrain left behind by retreating glaciers.
Check Out the Side Tracks
Along the way, sidetracks invite further exploration. One leads to the end of Tasman Lake and a jetty, while another takes you to the outlet to the Tasman River and a third to the Blue Lakes. Although these small lakes were once a vibrant blue, they have turned green due to algae growth as the glacier has receded.
How to Get There
To reach the Tasman Valley from State Highway 8, the main route through the Mackenzie Country, take State Highway 80 towards Aoraki Mt Cook Village. Shortly before the highway ends, turn east onto the signposted Tasman Valley Road and drive to the car park at this road's end.
Nearby walks and hikes around Aoraki Mt Cook include the Hooker Valley Track, Sealy Tarns Track, Governors Bush Track and Red Tarns Track.
