Aoraki/Mt Cook Tourism Operators: Accommodation | Attractions | Tours | Transport
Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand
In this alpine paradise you can hike the high trails or simply meditate on the beauty of the Southern Alps. A larger than life experience in Aoraki/Mt Cook.
Location
Mackenzie Country is a high inland basin beneath the Southern Alps and Mount Cook, south west of Christchurch.
General Facts
At 3,754 metres Mount Cook (its Maori name is Aoraki) is New Zealand's highest mountain. It towers above a splendid cast of massive snow-clad peaks that make up Mount Cook National Park. Nudging one side of Mt Cook is the mighty Tasman Glacier, a 30 kilometre giant and one of the longest outside the Himalayas.
Mount Cook village is an easy five-hour drive from Christchurch. We recommend visitors take the route from Christchurch to Fairlie, gateway to the Mackenzie Country. From here the road passes through a land of lakes, vast open spaces and golden, tussock-covered hills rolling towards the towering Southern Alps.
On the way you will pass turquoise glacial lakes such as Lake Tekapo, on whose shores is the stone Church of the Good Shepherd, which has a spectacular view of the Southern Alps framed by its altar window.
Main Attractions and Activities
Scenic flights from Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook afford breathtaking views over the Southern Alps and countryside, with ski-plane landings on the Tasman Glacier providing an unforgettable experience. All ski options are available, including heli-skiing and ski touring, and guides are available for climbing.
Glorious mountain walks to suit every degree of fitness show off the park's rich flora, including the Mount Cook "lily", the largest buttercup in the world.
Don't Miss
- Church of the Good Shepherd Lake Tekapo
- Scenic flight and glacier landing
- Hiking and walking in Mount Cook National Park
Main Centres
- Fairlie - gateway to the Mackenzie Country and Mount Cook
- Mount Cook Village - Mount Cook National Park Headquarters
