Aoraki Mount Cook is the highest peak in New Zealand

And, as the highest peak in New Zealand, Mount Cook (and the surrounding World-Heritage listed Mt. Cook National Park), attracts visitors from around the world, looking to experience some of the most stunning and pristine wilderness country on earth.

Where is the highest peak in New Zealand?

Aoraki Mount Cook is part of the Southern Alps, which stretch for most of the length of New Zealand's beautiful South Island.

Mount Cook village is the service point, and is centrally located on the South Island, around three and a half hours drive north from Queenstown, or about three hours drive south from Christchurch.

If you are staying in Queenstown a trip to Mount Cook is highly recommended if you have time. But it's a big day if you decide to drive yourself. Our preference is a guided tour to Mount Cook from Queenstown like this one. Sit back, relax, and let someone else do the driving for you.

There's a range of accommodation in the village, but due to it's popularity, accommodation sells out quickly and should be booked well in advance.

A little history

The traditional Maori name of Aoraki had its origins in Maori legend about a group of brothers who were the suns of Rakinui (the Sky Father). As they travelled around Papatauanuku (the Earth Mother), their canoe was stranded when it hit a reef.

As they waited to be rescued they froze, their bodies turned to stone, and their hair turned white. Their canoe formed the South Island and the tallest brother, Aoraki, had the highest peak named after him. The remaining brothers and crew became the other peaks of the Southern Alps.

Today the region is regarded as one of the premier mountaineering locations in the world, with twenty eight peaks towering over 3,000 metres in height.

In 1882 an Irishman, the Reverend W.S. Green, and two guides, made the first attempt to scale Mount Cook. Unfortunately they finished a mere twenty metres short of the summit. The summit was eventually reached in 1894, appropriately by three intrepid New Zealanders, Tom Fyfe, Jack Clarke and George Graham.

In 1953, renowned New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary, and his sherpa, Tenzing Norgay, became the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. At the Hermitage Hotel in Mount Cook village, the Sir Edmund Hillary Museum details the history of Mount Cook and the region, and is a highly recommended attraction.

things to do at mt cook

Outdoor adventure is the focus here.

With some of the best walking tracks in New Zealand, clear night skies, huge glaciers, and stunning alpine scenery, the region is the stuff of dreams.

Here's a few of the more popular things to do here in Aoraki Mount Cook:

The glacier explorer's tour

Wow, what a unique experience.

Join your skipper and head out onto the waters of Tasman Glacial Lake, at the foot of the imposing Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's largest. 

Huge floating icebergs adorn the lake, after calving from the glacier's terminal face, and the massive lateral moraines, some almost two hundred metres high, tower around you. It’s a mystical experience, in one of the world's most pristine environments.

This highly recommended tour is seasonal and is closed from mid June till late August. Bookings are essential. You can find out more on their website here.

The Hooker Valley Track

Regarded as one of New Zealand's finest day walks, the Hooker Valley Track covers around 10 kilometres return, and takes around 3 hours return. It's an easy grade so suitable for most levels of fitness.

Prepare to be amazed as the track takes you through glacial valleys, and over icy alpine streams, all the while under the gaze of Aoraki Mount Cook.

Access is from the White Horse Hill Campground and car park, located at the end of Hooker Valley Road, around 2 klm from the village.

The track is administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and their website has lots of information about the track.

Scenic flights and skydiving

Skydiving is all about the views and the thrill of the jump.

Well, there's probably no place else with views like these.

The stunning Southern Alps and Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo reveal themselves as you take your scenic flight to the jump zone. You can choose to jump from heights of 13,000 feet or 16,500 feet in this exhilarating tandem skydive with an experienced instructor.

If this is something that you've always wanted to try, there's no better place to take the leap. Learn more here.

Stargazing at Mt Cook

With very little artificial light, the region offers perfect conditions for stargazing, and the Aoraki Mackenzie Basin Dark Sky Reserve is the only "gold" reserve in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Hermitage offer the only stargazing tour in the park, and with conditions this perfect, it's a "must do".

Join your guides as they take you on a 90 minute exploration of the wonders of the night sky. Their high powered telescopes reveal some amazing celestial features, framed by the towering peaks of the Southern Alps.

The best viewing conditions occur around the time of a new moon, and the tour is weather dependant.

Highly recommended. You can learn more here.

There are some other great stargazing tours in the region like this one at nearby Twizel.

The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre

The museum pays tribute to one of New Zealand's favourite sons, Sir Edmund Hillary. 

Located in the historic Hermitage Hotel, it documents the region's history, with a range of displays covering transport, climbing and the Hermitage itself.

The Hillary Gallery covers Sir Edmund's life and his association with the region. Sir Edmund trained here for his Everest and Antarctic expeditions, and made several ascents of Mount Cook, including the challenging south face.

In 2003 Sir Edmund unveiled his statue which was based on a picture of him completing a traverse of Mount Cook's three peaks for his 50th birthday in 1970.

You can learn more about the centre here.

Places to stay near Mount Cook

Accommodation in Mount Cook village is limited to a hostel, a couple of motels, and the historic, upmarket Hermitage hotel. Because of the popularity of the region, we strongly recommend booking well in advance (at least 6 months) if you intend to stay in the village.

There's a greater range of accommodation at nearby towns like Tekapo Village (104 klm or a little over 1.25 hours drive), and Twizel (67 klm or around 1 hours drive).

You can search available options and read customer reviews by using the search box below:

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