Aoraki / Mount Cook
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
The national park home to New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook (3,724 metres). The 3-hour return Hooker Valley Track brings you close to glacial lakes and snowy peaks.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area. The park has 19 peaks over 3,000 metres and New Zealand's longest glacier, the Tasman Glacier. From Lake Tekapo, it is about 1.5 hours via State Highway 80 along Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook Village. The lake along the way looks almost unreal. The most classic route is the Hooker Valley Track. Starting from the White Horse Hill Campground, it is a 10 km return walk of about 3 hours. The track is flat throughout, crosses three suspension bridges, and ends at Hooker Glacier Lake, where floating icebergs sit in front of Aoraki's main summit. It is New Zealand's best-value day hike. Other options include Kea Point (1 hour), the Tasman Glacier View (half an hour to see the glacial lake), and glacier lake boat tours. In the village, the Hermitage Hotel houses the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, where you can watch a planetarium show. The weather changes very quickly, even in summer, so bring a windproof rain jacket and warm layers. The trail has no toilets or water points, and parking at White Horse Hill is limited, so arrive before 8 a.m. In winter (June to September), the trail is sometimes partly closed due to snow and avalanche risk, so check the Department of Conservation (DOC) website before setting out. Accommodation is mainly in Mount Cook Village and the town of Twizel, and should be booked in advance.
Opening hours
Open all day (visitor center 08:30–17:00)
Nearby sights
- The Hermitage & Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
- Kea Point Track
- Sealy Tarns Track
- Mueller Hut Route
- Aoraki Mount Cook Scenic Flights
- Tasman Glacier & Tasman Lake
- Peters Lookout
- Lake Alexandrina