What a delight to drive through Burke's Pass and out into the golden landscape of the Mackenzie Country. Named after a 19th century scot who stole sheep and moved them into this area to escape prying eyes it is today a wonderful spot to visit on the way to Central Otago. The golden tussock set against snowy mountain tops and Aqua blue lakes and the wide expanse of landscape are quite beautiful and gives a feeling of wide open spaces shared with few other places in NZ. Depending on the time of year you visit there will be a variation in the amount of snow but roads are seldom closed. There is good Accomodation at Tekapo, Twizel and Omarama. The most stunning view in an area of superlative views is at Lake Pukaki with Mount Cook piercing the sky at its western margin. If you are there on a cloudy day much of the impact is lost but this is an area of high sunshine hours. The Mackenzie Basin was once solely an area of extensive fine wool sheep runs but as in other South Island areas irrigation is changing the landscape, especially towards Omarama, where dairy herds are pushing aside sheep and there is a greening of the landscape.