Top Things to do in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
Top Hotels in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
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What to do and see in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), South Island: The Best Things to do Good for Couples
Discover the best top things to do in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), New Zealand including Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters by Inflite, Aoraki/Mt. Cook, Mt Cook Glacier Guiding, Hooker Valley Track, Heliworks Mount Cook, Alpine Guides, Mueller Hut Route, The Helicopter Line Mount Cook, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre, Sealy Tarns Track.
Restaurants in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
1. Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters by Inflite
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 366 reviews
Exclusive to the Southern Hemisphere, Aoraki Mt Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters is the only company to offer glacier landing flights in both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. Experience the natural quiet of the Tasman Glacier and absorb the ever changing glacial landscape of the New Zealand Southern Alps. Aoraki Mt Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters have been sharing the breathtaking scenery of the Southern Alps with travelers for 60 years. With snow present all year round, this impressive alpine environment creates an unforgettable adventure for people of all ages. Flights depart from Aoraki Mt Cook Airport, only a 5 minute drive from Aoraki Mt Cook Village. With our company base location within the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park it allows us to guarantee captivating scenery from the moment you board your flight. Experience the Ultimate Alpine Adventure with a Helicopter / Ski Plane Combo. For group bookings of 8 or more, fly half of your trip in a Helicopter and the other in a Ski Plane. Ideal for families and large group bookings. This Ultimate Alpine Adventure Combo is available in our entire range of scenic flight options at no additional cost. For climbers and skiers interested in transfers to the various hut locations within the Aoraki Mt Cook and Westland National Parks, we have both Ski Planes and Helicopters available for charter.
2. Aoraki/Mt. Cook
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 532 reviews
Reviewed By BradJill - Hong Kong, China
Mount Cook also referred locally by its Maori name of Aoraki is the highest mountain in New Zealand and the darling of the Southern Alps range on South Island. It dominates the peaks of the Mount Cook National Park and can be viewed well from both sides of the mountain range. We recently spent some time around Mount Cook National Park enjoying views of Aoraki from numerous hiking areas and trails. Most enjoyable was probably at Lake Hooker, a beautiful reflection lake made up of melt water from Hooker Glacier located a short distance from the Mount Cook Village. A similar impressive view of Mount Cook can be found at Lake Matheson, another famous reflection lake near the Fox Glacier Village on the west side of the range. There is a very good Visitor Centre in the Mount Cook Village with quality displays and historic accounts of mountaineering and general exploration of Mount Cook and fellow peaks in the area. You can also learn quite a bit about hiking and other activities related to visits to Mount Cook on the DOC National Park website. This is well worth spending some time researching before making trips to the area.
3. Mt Cook Glacier Guiding
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 73 reviews
Discover New Zealand's big mountain country & largest glacier at Mt Cook National Park - enjoy heli-hiking, snowshoeing or ice climbing adventures on the mighty Tasman Glacier with professional guides. We provide the highest level of safety. All of our guides are certified to guide you on the glacier through the internationally recognised New Zealand Mountain Guides Association.
4. Hooker Valley Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,041 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Falsendrach - Auckland Central, New Zealand
We did the Hooker Valley trail in May, just after NZ dropped to Covid Alert Level 2. It was a great time to do it with the lack of tourists around. Because of the popularity the Hooker Trail is usually very busy, sometimes with so many people on the trail you feel like you're walking in a queue. Parking can be an issue if you're arriving later in the day and you sometimes have to park on the access road and walk 15-20mins to the trail start. With the current Covid international travel restrictions though there's few tourists and it's not hard to get a space in the carpark. Wonderfully though this time it felt virtually empty. Sure, we ran into other people but only about 60-70 rather than the 1000+ you'd expect. The trail is about 90mins each way, culminating at Hooker Lake. Do allow extra time as we happily spent an hour playing at the frozen-over lake skipping stones & throwing sheets of ice around. As far as reward vs effort goes, the Hooker Valley trail is one of the best short tracks you can do as it's wide, mostly flat, taking you over three suspension bridges that offer gorgeous views of turbulent pale azure water rushing underneath, majestic hills sweeping up on either side and Mt Cook/Aoraki as a stunning backdrop. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes as the trail is mostly rock, & switch out to boots in colder/wetter weather. Layers are essential & you'll find that coming back in the afternoon it's quite a bit cooler once the sun has dipped behind the peaks. And on that note, bring a torch or headlamp if you're setting off within 4 hours of sunset. There are some toilets about two thirds the way along the track but they aren't great. You should definitely pack some hand sanitiser & a roll of toilet paper in case they run out (they frequently do). At the height of the tourist seasons there's usually a queue.
5. Heliworks Mount Cook
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 58 reviews
Based at Aoraki/Mt Cook airport Heliworks Mt Cook offer spectacular scenic flights throughout the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Heliworks Mt Cook is privileged to be able to land at a number of locations on the Tasman glacier and throughout the National Park. Every scenic flight includes a landing on the Tasman Glacier. Join us on a trip of a lifetime! All of our flights are designed to provide the best experience. We go further to really show you around this stunning region. We take pride in delivering a quality product, safe procedures and personalised service.
6. Alpine Guides
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 45 reviews
Alpine Guides' IFMGA/NZMGA mountain guides are based year-round in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. We offer unparalleled access to the fantastic mountain playground of the Southern Alps. Since 1966 we have delivered professionally guided climbing, instruction courses and ski touring from Mount Cook to Mount Aspiring to the Westland glaciers, and the fantastic granite peaks of Fiordland.
7. Mueller Hut Route
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.
Reviewed By Roadtrip_Fan_UK - Hong Kong, China
It's the scenery that will keep everyone going. The ascent is super steep but the views are truly breathtaking. I continued on to Mount Ollivier and got rewarded with a 360° panorama that was well worth the extra effort.
8. The Helicopter Line Mount Cook
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 243 reviews
Glentanner Park is situated within a genuine working high country sheep station located in an idyllic setting at the base of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook. The surrounding scenery varies from the glacial fed Lake Pukaki and the surrounding rugged high country landscape to the soaring peaks and mighty glaciers of the Southern Alps. The Helicopter Line provides a range of scenic flights that venture into this alpine wonderland and offer you the privileged views.
9. Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 684 reviews
10. Sealy Tarns Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By deborahk879 - Caboolture, Australia
Very steep walk incorporating more than 2000 rugged stairs. Sturdy, narrow track with many switchbacks and no guardrails. Track begins at White Horse Hill Campground just outside Mt Cook village but you can walk from the village itself. Allow 3-4 hours (add an extra hour if walking from the village) to have plenty of rest stops and take in the stunning views of MT Cook, Mueller Lake, Hooker Valley trail, bridges and river, surrounding mountains and down the valley towards Lake Pukaki. There's a picnic table at the tarns but no facilities. Walking poles are a good idea to save the knees, especially on the descent. Can continue up from the tarns to the Mueller Hut, or branch off down low to detour to Kea Point.
