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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 5, Issue 3 (July 1, 1930)

“In the Valley of Wonders.”

“In the Valley of Wonders.”

The Mount Cook Hermitage has been praised as a marvel of organisation and equipment for the comfort, health, and happiness of tourists. Cosily built in the “Valley of Wonders,” 2,500ft. above the sea, it gives views of an inspiring stage on which Alpine Kings have permanent parts. Chief of these is Mount Cook, whose glistening triple tiara is peerless among the world's jewelled crowns.

This Hermitage is an ideal base for all manner of pleasant, exhilarating outings to suit the wishes of all visitors. Ambitious alpinists can have the utmost thrills among the glaciers, ridges and peaks. Other folk, not eager for the strenuous life, can have delightful, easy little picnics to many beautiful places.

Yet this refreshing retreat, far above the hurly-burly of common things, is only twelve hours from Christchurch or Dunedin, twenty-four hours from Wellington, forty-eight hours from Auckland, and less than a week away from Sydney or Melbourne.

That slogan for this hotel—“Thousands of feet above worry level”—is memorably true, but it calls for some additions. It is thousands of feet above germy dust and fluff, smoke, and fumes.

Visitors to the Hermitage eat well, sleep well, think well. When the morning sun sparkles on the diadem of Aorangi it gives an impression of the first day of a newly – made world, created in the night. This clear air makes a mockery of distances, so that remote peaks seem to leap at the observer.

The Hermitage has been described as “a miniature township.” It is a fully licensed hotel; it has a post office, with regular mail services and telephonic and telegraphic communications. It has a store with stocks of confectionery, tobacco, cigarettes etc., photographic films, post-cards, special photographs, and all manner of articles which a tourist may need. The photographic service includes “same-day” developing and printing.

All kinds of equipment required for winter or summer alpine outings can be hired at the Hermitage.

Printed in Two Colours. Cover design of N.Z.R. “Merry Winter Sports” booklet.

Printed in Two Colours.
Cover design of N.Z.R. “Merry Winter Sports” booklet.