First Swing Bridge, Hooker Valley Track

The first of three swing bridges along the Hooker Valley Track is less than a kilometre into the walk and the views here are already spectacular. TThe bridge crosses the Hooker River where it flows out of Mueller Lake, and the view looking upstream from the middle of the bridge is breathtaking The milky turquoise river cuts through a boulder strewn valley floor and pulls your eye straight toward Mueller Lake with Mount Sefton and the surrounding peaks rising behind it. On clear days the composition pretty much frames itself. On overcast or misty days, as cloud wraps around the peaks and drifts through the valley, the mood shifts completely but it is equally photogenic. The river itself has a strong glacial colour that contrasts with the dark rock on either side, and depending on the flow there are sections of white water churning over and around the larger boulders. The bridge wobbles when other people are crossing, so time your shots between groups or use a faster shutter speed. Looking downstream from the bridge gives you a different perspective back toward the valley entrance. Just before the bridge, the Mueller Lake Lookout gives you an elevated angle over the lake and the bridge together that is worth pausing to capture on your way by. The walk from the White Horse Hill car park is flat, easy, and takes about 15 minutes. While there is no fee to access the park itself, there are parking fees at the main trailhead parking lots (like White Horse Hill) of $5/hour or $25/day. Drones are not permitted anywhere in the National Park. (Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Canterbury, New Zealand)