Typical tussock covered country in the Mackenzie Basin. I remember reading that these tussock lands are being threatened by self seeding conifers from nearby plantations. They are also threatened in other ways but I can't remember by what. My retentive powers rapidly diminish with advancing years. If you really want to know go to the information centre at the Mount Cook viewing point on Lake Pukaki.....I think I read all that stuff there when all I went in for was a weather forecast. They also have toilets.