Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
New Zealand · Canterbury · 760 m
Description
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park is the alpine heart of New Zealand's South Island and protects Aoraki / Mount Cook, the country's highest mountain at 3,724 metres (12,218 ft). The park is renowned for its spectacular alpine scenery, featuring rugged peaks, vast glaciers, turquoise glacial lakes, and an extensive network of hiking trails. Highlights include the Hooker Valley Track, boat trips among the icebergs of the Tasman Glacier, and exceptional stargazing within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. As part of the UNESCO-listed Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area, the park combines unspoiled wilderness with world-class outdoor adventures, making it one of New Zealand's premier destinations for hikers, mountaineers, and nature enthusiasts.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: December – January
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Hooker Valley Track
- Aoraki / Mount Cook
- Tasman Glacier
- Tasman Glacier boat tour
- Mueller Hut Route
- Sealy Tarns Track
- Kea Point Track
- Red Tarns Track
- Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier View Track
- Lake Pukaki(Day trip)
- Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
- Alpine helicopter flight
- Scenic ski plane flight
- Dark Sky Reserve stargazing
- Mount Cook Village
- Ball Hut Track