Mt Cook

Nearby

Twizel Lake Tekapo Christchurch Arthurs Pass Akaroa Kaikoura Hanmer Springs

Mt Cook: Understand

Mount Cook National Park is a captivating, yet harsh land of snow, ice and rock. There are 19 peaks over 3,000 metres in the park, including New Zealand’s tallest mountain Aoraki Mount Cook which stands at an altitude of 3,754 metres above sea level.

The area provides the visitor fantastic alpine views with many walks that take you to within touching distance of both the Hooker and Tasman Glaciers. Of the many walks in the area, Kea Point is easy to reach and well worth the 1 hr return trip. It starts at the Hooker Valley camping ground and takes you to a lookout area offering magnificent views of the Mueller Glacier and Mt Cook on a fine day.

Mueller Hut & Mt Cook

For the more adventurous, we recommend walking to (and staying at) the Mueller Hut, a challenging 3-4 hour climb that will reward you with breath-taking views of the southern alps. For keen Naturalists, the park offers a wide variety of flowering native plants and unique insect / bird life. The “Cheeky” Kea (Mountain Parrot) is a frequent visitor and keeps the locals entertained with it’s playfull, inquisitive nature.

Mt Cook: Getting In & Out

By plane:

There is a Mt Cook airport, but it is not at all main! It’s best to explore this area by car, campervan or bus.

Renting a campervan or rental car is a great way to explore New Zealand with flexibility and freedom! It’s easiest to pick up/drop off rentals from the major airports in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown. We recommend you book in advance. Check out our handy guides Travel New Zealand by Campervan or Travel New Zealand by Car.

By car:

Mt Cook is accessed via Statae Highway 80, or Mt Cook Road. This road links to State Highway 8, not far from Twizel.

By bus:

Take a look at the InterCity website to plan your bus journey.

Mt Cook: See & Do

Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park offers many exciting attractions for you to choose from. Visiting the Tasman Glacier is an absolute must. It can be reached by driving up the Tasman Valley Road and then walking for about 10 minutes to a lookout point.

There are many excellent walks beginning at the Hooker Glacier Camping Ground including the Kea Point walk (1 hr return), Hooker Valley walk (3 hours), the Sealy Tarns (4 hrs) and the Mueller Hut (8 hrs). Other tourist attractions include scenic flights, Ski Plane snow landings and boat trips with Glacier Explorers.

Glacier Explorers
Offers fully guided boat tours where you can get up close to New Zealandâ€™s largest glacier, the Tasman Glacier – and itâ€™s spectacular icebergs.

Mount Cook Ski Planes
Offers scenic flights and snow landings on one of the glaciers where the “natural quiet” of the mountains can be experienced.

Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Offers 3D movies in a custom-designed theatre plus a Museum that “showcases the Aoraki Mount Cook region, its people and its place in the universe”.

Alpine Recreation
Offers hiking tours, alpine treks, guided mountain climbing and alpine ski touring in the spectacular Southern Alps area.

Discovery Tours
Offers a wide range of small group walking, hiking and mountain biking tours in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park area.

Ski the Tasman
Offers guided, small group ski tours on the Tasman Glacier (NZ’s longest at 27km). Also includes side trips to explore ice caves and seracs.

The Helicopter Line
Offers scenic helicopter flights (some include snow landings) over Mount Cook, the rugged Ben Ohau Mountain Range and the majestic southern Alps.

1-Day Trips Near Mt Cook

Mueller Hut

Glacier Lake Walk

Multi-Day Trips Near Mt Cook

Mueller Hut

Mt Cook: Eat & Drink

There are not too many food options in Mt Cook Village. Our pick would be Old Mountaineers’ Cafe, Bar and Restaurant. They serve delicious food and good portions from breakfast through to dinner. Salmon is delicious. Note: they’re closed the month of June, plus Christmas and Boxing Day (fair enough!).

Mt Cook: Sleep

The Aoraki Mount Cook region offers many accommodation options for you to choose from. The Hermitage offers everything from self-contained, family Motel / Chalet accommodation to Luxury Hotel rooms boasting spectacular views of Mt Cook. Budget accommodation is available at Alpine Lodge and YHA Mt Cook. Nearby White Horse Hill camping ground is another option for campers. Glentanner Park, a few minutes drive from Mt Cook village, offers a range of holiday park accommodation.

Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Lodge
Offers mid-range holiday lodgings in the Mt Cook Village center. Features ensuite bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and lounge.

The Hermitage Hotel ($$$)
Offers Hotel, Motel and Chalet accommodation with many of the rooms boasting spectacular mountain views. Also offers a cafe, lounge and two restaurants.

YHA Mount Cook ($)
Offers budget backpacker hostel accommodation featuring spacious rooms, central heating, a cosy fire, sauna, BBQ and picnic area.

Mountaineering Huts ($)
Department of Conservation administered huts (NOTE: For mountaineers only – climbing skills are needed to reach these huts).

White Horse Hill Campground ($)
Offers 50 campervan and tenting sites set amongst superb alpine scenery near Mt Cook village. Facilities include toilets, picnic tables and a shelter.