Mount Cook National Park is one of the most popular spots in New Zealand’s South Island and should be on every visitor’s bucket list. It’s breathtakingly beautiful and was one of my favourite spots on my road trip in New Zealand.
The area truly boasts some of the best views in New Zealand. It’s an alpine heaven and is home to the country’s highest peak, Aoraki Mount Cook. The peak is surrounded by neighbouring rugged mountains, turquoise blue lakes and magnificent glaciers.
There’s a mix of things to do in Mount Cook National Park. I’d suggest giving yourself at least one full day to explore the area. There are options to hit one of the many hiking trails, including the famous Hooker Valley track, take a scenic flight over the glaciers, skydive or simply just take in the views.
Below are two different ways to spend one day in Mount Cook National Park. However you choose to spend your time there, Mount Cook is really a must-visit destination in New Zealand.
Mount Cook can be visited as part of a Christchurch to Queenstown road trip or as a day trip from Queenstown.
Where to stay in Mount Cook National Park
Accommodation in Mount Cook National Park is quite limited, but there are a few options including in the nearby town of Aoraki. This epic spot is deep in the Mount Cook valley and a few minutes away from the start of the hiking trails.
One of the most iconic places to stay in Aoraki Mount Cook is the famous Hermitage Hotel. This hotel offers incredible views of the area. This is by no means a budget stay, but if you’re going to splurge anywhere in New Zealand, this is a fantastic option.
For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Haka House Aoraki Mount Cook. This hostel-style accommodation is the perfect spot to stay if you don’t have a campervan.
Check out more of the best budget accommodation in Mount Cook.
For those who plan to fly or skydive in the morning, the nearby towns of Twizel or Glentanner have a range of options, including a campground and many hotels.
Another option would be to stay in Lake Tekapo. It’s just over an hour from Mount Cook, but if you don’t mind a drive in the morning then you might find some more suitable accommodation here.
Mount Cook National Park Camping
The best campsite in Mount Cook National Park is the White Horse Hill Campground. This is also the main car park for all the hikes in Mount Cook, including the Hooker Valley Track.
The campsite has 60 non-powered sites for tents and campervans. It’s a popular campsite so it’s important to book ahead, especially if travelling in the peak season.
It’s a basic campsite, but either has flushing toilets or pit toilets depending on the time of year you go.
A campsite costs between $15-20 NZD depending on the time of year you travel. A DOC campsite pass can also be used here.
If you want somewhere free, there are various free campsites for self-contained vehicles at the bottom of Lake Pukaki. Download the app CamperMate for the latest information. The campsites are about a 45-minute drive from the start of the trails. It’s one of the most beautiful campsites in all of New Zealand.
Things to do in Mount Cook National Park
Admire the scenery
The road to Mount Cook is truly one of a kind. I arrived at sunset on a clear day and the views were phenomenal. If you’re lucky enough to do the drive on a clear day, be sure to make the most of the many viewpoints along the route.
There are plenty of areas where you can pull over to take photos of the turquoise Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook itself. It’s only around a 30-minute drive, but I’d give yourself at least one hour to make the most of the views.
Hikes in Mount Cook National Park
If hiking is your thing, you’re in luck, as this area is a hiking paradise. The ‘big’ hike in Mount Cook National Park is the Mueller Hut Route. This is a 6.5-mile (10.4km) return route. It normally takes people 7 to 8 hours to complete. You can also opt to stay overnight in the hut. I didn’t do this hike as I only had one day of nice weather in Mount Cook, so wanted to see as much as possible.
Another very popular option is the Hooker Valley Track. With its almost flat terrain and stunning views, this is one of the most popular hikes in the area, if not all of New Zealand.
The 6-mile (10km) hike takes you through the valley as the snow-capped mountains tower around you. You’ll cross a couple of swing bridges and eventually reach Hooker Lake. It’s a very accessible track and if hiking isn’t your thing, this is a good option. It gives you magnificent views with minimal effort.
I also did the Sealy Tarns hike. This is the first part of the Mueller Hut route. You climb around 2,200 steps (yes, it’s as painful as it sounds) for breathtaking views of the area.
If you’re a keen hiker, check out some of the best day hikes in New Zealand.
Mount Cook scenic flights
Seeing Mount Cook from above is a dream for many. A scenic flight over Mount Cook allows you to experience the true scale of the highest mountain in New Zealand. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to choose from.
From scenic flights to snow landings, there are several companies in the area with different options. You could even opt to land on the mountain without having to do any hiking.
Skydive over Mount Cook
If you want to indulge your adventurous side, a skydive over Mount Cook could be the answer. Mount Cook is without a doubt one of the best places to skydive in New Zealand.
Imagine jumping out of a plane and seeing New Zealand’s tallest mountain and the surrounding scenery. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Explore the magnificent lakes
Mount Cook National Park is home to several stunning lakes. One of the most famous is the giant Lake Pukaki. This is known to be one of the most turquoise blue lakes in all of New Zealand. With the mountains in the background, the views don’t get much better than this.
There is a walking route at the bottom of the lake where you can take a short stroll. The views of Mount Cook in the distance are beautiful.
If you’re driving to Mount Cook National Park, there are seveal viewpoints along the side of Lake Pukaki where you can pullover.
Another popular lake is Tasman Lake. This is a short drive from the main road. There are a couple of paths in the area and the short walks lead you to views of the Tasman Glacier/Lake and if you’re lucky, some fresh icebergs.
Boat trip in Mount Cook National Park
Another exciting thing to do in Mount Cook is taking a boat trip around Tasman Lake. It’s one of the few lakes in the world where you can get up close and personal with actual icebergs.
This activity is one-of-a-kind in New Zealand and a great way to spend your day in Mount Cook.
This activity is seasonal and dependent on the current conditions in the lake.
Mount Cook Village
Even if you’re not staying in Mount Cook Village, a trip there is still well worth-it.
First up, head to the Visitor Centre. The centre has a huge area dedicated to teaching visitors more about the area. This includes the geography of the area and the history behind climbing Mount Cook. There’s also a small shop.
Nearby is the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. Sir Edmund Hillary was the first New Zealander, and the first person, to climb the summit of Mount Everest. The centre is dedicated to the climber, and also educates visitors about his past. It’s $25 NZD to enter.
One day itinerary for hiking lovers
Spending your day in Mount Cook National Park on the trails is a great way to explore the area. As I only had one day of nice weather, I did several hikes to see as much as possible. None of the walks below are too long, so you can easily squeeze a few in.
Stop one: Hooker Valley Hike
First up is the Hooker Valley trail. You want to start nice and early to fit as much into your day as possible. If you want to avoid the crowds, I’d highly suggest doing this hike at sunrise. You won’t get a view of the sun rising, but you’ll see the valley light up in a magical way. You’ll also avoid the crowds and trust me when I say this trail gets BUSY.
The Hooker Valley trail is 6.2 miles (10km) long. It’s relatively flat and took me 2 hours overall, although I was walking fast. You can park in the White Horse Hill car park.
Stop two: Kea Point
Once you’ve refuelled, it’s time for another hike. This time it’s to Kea Point. Luckily, this trail starts from the same car park as Hooker Valley (and where you can camp overnight if you’re in a self-contained vehicle), so there’s no need to move your car or van. It’s only a 30-minute walk to Kea Point, and it gives you a superb view of Mount Cook.
Stop three: Sealy Tarns
Next up is the Sealy Tarns track. The start of this track is on the walk to Kea Point, so you’ll need to turn off to the right on your way back to the car park. It’s very well signposted.
It’s a 3.2 mile (5km) hike which sounds easy enough, but oh my god THE STEPS. There are 2,200 of them and they are a killer. Just know the views on the way up and at the top are beautiful and the most stunning I saw in Mount Cook.
Note: if you’re not bothered about the crowds on the Hooker Valley trail, Kea Point or Sealy Tarns could be a good option for sunrise. The Hooker Valley trail was closed for the morning when I had planned to do sunrise there, so instead went to Kea Point and got on the Sealy Tarns track early. When I was coming down the steps, there were *so* many people heading up.
Stop four: Tasman Glacier
This is your last hike of the day and to be honest, it’s more of a short walk compared to other hikes in this list. It’s a 10/15 minute drive from White Horse Hill and it’s signposted from the road. The walk to the viewpoint is about 10 minutes up some steps. Depending on the weather and time of year, you can see the glacier and icebergs in the lake.
Alternative
If you’re feeling extra energetic or you’re a quick hiker, you could do the Mueller Hut Route followed by Hooker Valley. The Mueller Hut is beyond the Sealy Tarns. The full hike including the Tarns normally takes people 7 hours. If you’ve started early, you could do Mueller Hut followed by Hooker Valley.
One day itinerary with a bit of adventure, hiking and exploring
This option will give you the best of both worlds and the best chance to see all that the area has to offer.
Morning
Use the morning to see the valley from above. Whether it’s a scenic flight or skydive, the area has lots of options to see the valley and mountains from a different perspective.
In New Zeland, I always use Viator to see what is on offer in the area. Just make sure you book ahead, especially in the summer. Skydiving or flying over Mount Cook is very popular and you want to be sure to get a spot.
Afternoon
Once you’ve seen the glorious mountains from above, it’s time to see them from the ground. Drive up to the White Horse Hill parking area and base yourself there for the afternoon. Don’t forget to stop at one of the many beautiful viewpoints on the way.
Now it’s time to hike the Hooker Valley track. This is a fantastic trail which gives you some incredible views with very minimal effort. It might take you 2 or 3 hours to complete, but it’s relatively flat and easy.
Following the Hooker Valley Track, make a stop in Aoraki Mount Cook Village. Opt to visit either the Visitor Centre or the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre.
If you have any energy left, make a stop at the Tasman Glacier. There are a couple of short trails which take you to a viewpoint or down to the lake and give you the chance to see a glacier or some icebergs.
I hope you enjoy your visit to Mount Cook National Park.
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