Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park

Home to New Zealand’s highest peak, this alpine wonderland is where glaciers, stargazing, and epic mountain scenery take centre stage.

Overview
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park is the crown jewel of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, a place of towering peaks, grinding glaciers, and deep alpine silence. At its heart stands Aoraki / Mount Cook, the country’s tallest mountain and a sacred ancestor in Ngāi Tahu Māori tradition. From glacier hikes to scenic flights and world-class stargazing, this is a destination that invites awe. Whether you’re here to summit, stroll, or simply soak up the majesty, the scale and serenity of this park stay with you long after you leave.

See and Do

The local favourite
The Hooker Valley Track is a must-do and a local favourite for good reason. This well-formed alpine walk leads you across swing bridges and past iceberg-dotted lakes to a dramatic viewpoint at the foot of Aoraki / Mount Cook. With panoramic views of glaciers, rushing rivers, and snow-covered peaks, it’s one of the most rewarding short hikes in New Zealand. Best of all, it’s accessible to most fitness levels and stunning in all seasons.

A scene of pure natural beauty
The Tasman Glacier is the longest in New Zealand and a highlight of the park. Join a boat tour across the meltwater lake to float beside towering icebergs, or take a scenic flight for a bird’s-eye view of the glacier’s sheer scale and fractured surface. For a quieter alternative, walk to Tasman Glacier Viewpoint, a short track that rewards with sweeping views over the glacier, lake, and moraine fields shaped by millennia of ice.

Adventures in nature
This is the ultimate playground for alpine adventure. Heli-hiking offers the chance to explore pristine glacier terrain with expert guides, while mountaineering routes attract climbers from around the world. For stargazers, the park lies within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, offering some of the clearest night skies on Earth—perfect for astrophotography or a guided session at the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. From high-octane to deeply peaceful, the park’s magic lies in its extremes.