Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, things to do — trip guide

Hightlights:

Accessible alpine region for all fitness levels
Scenic flights over the most spectacular scenery New Zealand has to offer
Year round destination offering summer walks to winter ski action
Photograph the Church of the Good Shepherd, cheesy, in a trillion photos however not yet in yours
September – May kakak Tasman Lake between floating icebergs or perhaps a guided boat trip on the lake
Lupins are an introduced ‘weed’ yet glorious in the spring, giving a depth of spring purple haze to the landscape. A photo moment with lupins in spring is a favourite instagram moment.

Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, New Zealand @SCRIBBLESNZ

Best time to go:

Year round: Summer walks, Winter skiing and winter sports.

Visitor centre services:

Information on the walks, attractions and activities in the park and local environs.
An intentions system provided for climbers and trampers to sign in when they enter and leave Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Great New Zealand retail products available.
A booking agent for all local tourism activities.

There are no banks at Aoraki/Mount Cook Village but EFTPOS facilities are available.

Opening hours: Open daily. Free entrance.

Summer peak season (October – April) 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Winter off-peak season (May – September) 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Getting there:

There is one road in and out of the park, State Highway 80. Picturesque, scenic and take the photo when you see it as there is no guarantee that the cloud cover will not reappear or the light will be as perfect. The turnoff from State Highway 8 has excellent signage. New Zealand alpine scenery is easily viewed, from numerous vantage points with the piercing sharp blue lakes, glaciers and soaring mountain peaks around every corner. Glorious accessible alps where you can simply have a picnic at a lake with surround scenery that is postcard gorgeous.

TIP:

Nearest towns are Tekapo (105 km) and Twizel (65 km). If you are camping, collect essentials from either of these two locations.

Budgets and the alpine experience

Scenic flights, heli-skiing, heli-hiking, and glacier trekking with your scenic flight is expensive. The price tag, for those on a limited budget means this experience may not be possible. While an aerial view is a once in a lifetime experience a walk to the Hooker Valley is equally rewarding and it is free, glorious and all based on your efforts (including several swing bridges).

What to see and do in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park

Walking and Tramping

Walks for families in Aoraki

Easiest: Short walk

Aoraki/Mount Cook village short walks

Easy: Walking track

Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks

Easy: Walking track

Hooker Valley Track

Easy: Walking track

Kea Point Track

Easy: Walking track

Red Tarns Track

Easy: Walking track

Sealy Tarns Track

Easy: Walking track

Ball Hut Route

Advanced: Tramping track

Mueller Hut Route

Advanced: Tramping track

Ball Pass Crossing

Expert: Route

Hunting

Recreational hunting for tahr and chamois is permitted all year round in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is located deep within the Southern Alps. The land is heavily glaciated is mostly steep mountain ranges covered in scree slopes, moraine and tussock grasslands. Weather can change rapidly with little warning.

Hunters should be experienced at alpine travel and must sign in their intentions at the visitor centre when entering the park. For up to date information on access, conditions and animal numbers, contact the Aoraki Visitor Centre.

Species

Chamois
Tahr

Permit requirements

A permit is required to hunt on public conservation land.

This hunting area is covered by an ‘open area permit’ which can be obtained online or from a DOC office.

Access

Godley valley

There is 4WD access to the east side of the Godley valley but you need to cross the Macaulay River. A route is marked past Lilybank Lodge; vehicle use ends at Separation Stream.

Tasman valley

Vehicle use ends at Blue Lakes car park on Tasman Valley Road (4WDs may be able to continue on to Husky Flat). From Blue Lakes it is 2-3 hours walk to Ball Hut.

Another option is to take a boat across Tasman Lake (operates between November and April).This gives access to Tasman faces and Gorilla Stream. Contact Glacier Explorers (external site) phone +64 3 4351641.

Hooker valley

Hooker valley is reached via White Horse Hill car park, Hooker Valley Road. The East Hooker route is recommended for hunting.

Access to the Sealy Range is from White Horse Hill car park.

There is foot access up all major streams off State Highway 80.

Aircraft access

There is helicopter access to both Liebig and Onslow huts. Check that the helicopter operator has the relevant permissions to land at these sites.

Always call in to the Aoraki/Mount Cook Visitor Centre to sign in your intentions and to check the latest weather and avalanche conditions.

Maps

Topo50 – BY15, BX15, BX16, BY16, BX17.

Dogs

Dogs are not permitted within Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Huts

Pay hut fees at Aoraki/Mount Cook Visitor Centre.

Additional information

Hunters are advised to check for current pesticide operations that may be in progress where they intend to hunt. Summaries are published every four months.

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park has a human waste pack out policy. For more information please contact the Visitor Centre in Aoraki/Mount Cook village.

Camping

White Horse Hill Campground

Camp beneath magnificent alpine scenery including Mt Sefton. Enjoy a variety of walks from the valley floor to mountain tops.

Category: Scenic
Bookings not required – first come, first served
60 non-powered/tent sites
Fires are not permitted at any time.
Dog access: No dogs

Facilities

Hot showers at public shelter in village (2.5 km from campsite)

Getting there

2.5 km from Aoraki/Mt Cook Village at the end of Hooker Valley Rd off SH 80.

Location

NZTM2000 coordinates: E1365711, N5155153

Latitude: -43.71964561, Longitude: 170.09146595

Fees

Adult (18+ years): $15 per night
Child (5 – 17 years): $7.50 per night
Infant (0 – 4 years): free

Passes

The DOC/NZMCA Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite except between the Friday before Christmas and the end of Waitangi weekend. In 2020/2021, this is 18 December 2020 to 9 February 2021.

Backcountry Hut Passes cannot be used at this campsite.

Stay in a hut

Ball Hut

Ball Shelter Route, Canterbury 7999, New Zealand

Barron Saddle Hut

E1358520, N5150570

Copland Shelter

Ball Shelter Route, Canterbury 7999, New Zealand

Eade Memorial Hut

E1396498, N5178426

Empress Hut

Ball Shelter Route, Canterbury 7999, New Zealand

Godley Hut

Mount Cook National Park 7999, New Zealand

Kelman Hut

State Highway 5, Mangakakahi, Rotorua 3015, New Zealand

Liebig Hut

E1383046, N5165843

Mueller Hut

Mount Cook National Park 7999, New Zealand

Onslow Hut (Steffan Memorial Hut)

E1382668, N5167981

Plateau Hut

Mackenzie District, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand

Sefton Bivouac

Hooker Valley Track, Canterbury 7999, New Zealand

Tasman Saddle Hut

Canterbury 7999, New Zealand

Stay

Aoraki Mt Cook Village

The village is small with no shops, except for a few essential items in the Hermitage Hotel gift shop (note as of June 2020 the hotel is closed), an excellent visitor centre and a campground operating on a first come, first served basis. Have a plan B if the campground is full. On arrival at Aoraki campgrounds check in before departing for any short walks. Put a stake in the ground then relax into the landscape.

Camping at Glentanner Mount Cook Accommodation Campervan Park Activities Mt Cook NZ is located on the shores of Lake Pukaki, is 15 minutes from Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park on State Highway 80. Glentanner is a fully-equipped campground and campervan park in the area, and we provide boutique and budget accommodation to suit every need. Glentanner acts as an independent information centre and activity hub, we offer flight-seeing helicopter flights that depart daily from reception (weather permitting), as well as booking information on numerous other Mount Cook Activities. Forward bookings are essential.

Commercial Operators

GUIDED ACTIVITIES AND TOURS

Rock & Ice Aotearoa

Guided activities in the Canterbury region as part of team building programmes and event management.

Activities: Mountain biking

Services: Guided activities and tours

Southern Alps Guiding

Guided mountaineering, ski touring, glacier skiing, snowshoeing and alpine instruction in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Alpine Guides

Mountaineering and avalanche courses, guided climbing and ski touring in the Southern Alps, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring, Mount Tasman.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Top Tours

Bus tour to Aoraki/Mount Cook, Kawarau Bridge and Fiordland National Park.

jontour@hanmail.net

Services: Guided activities and tours

New Zealand International Travel Limited

Guiding short walks on the West Coast, Canterbury, Otago and Fiordland.

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Black ZQN

Guided luxury vehicle transport in the Otago area, Mount Aspiring National Park, Milford Sound/Fiordland National Park and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Activities: Four wheel driving

Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours

Mountain Helicopters Fox Glacier

Helicopter charters and scenic flights over Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland National Parks.

Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours

Wanaka Mountain Guides

Guided walking, climbing, mountaineering and skiing in Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks.

hugh@mountainguiding.info

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Facilities; Guided activities and tours

AuthenticAs Limited

AuthenticAs offers visitors a chance to be guided on photography tours/ hikes throughout New Zealand. They specialise in breathtaking New Zealand landscape photography and capturing those priceless moments when you and yours are enjoying this magical place.

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Methven Heliski

Heli and glacier skiing, mountaineering courses, guided climbing, ski touring and avalanche courses in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

The Real New Zealand Limited

Guided multi-day tours around New Zealand.

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Tanken Tours

Guided walking, mountain biking and four wheel driving in South Island locations as part of bus tours.

Activities: Four wheel driving; Mountain biking

Services: Guided activities and tours

Mountain Beech NZ Limited

Guided walks, including walks for ornithology and photography, at various locations across the South Island.

Activities: Bird and wildlife watching; Picnicking

Services: Guided activities and tours

Exclusive Tourism Services Ltd

Guided Walking and four wheel driving expeditions around the South Island.

Activities: Four wheel driving; Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

NLK Tours Ltd

Guided Walking at selected tracks in Canterbury, Fiordland, Otago and West Coast regions.

+64 9 480 4288

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Wang Wang Travel

Guided walks as part of tours in Aoraki/Mount Cook, Arthur’s Pass and Mount Aspiring National Parks.

taylor.chen@xtra.co.nz

Services: Guided activities and tours

Images Abound: DOC concessionaires

Private landscape photography tours.

Services: Guided activities and tours

Jay Tours

Guided walks in Aoraki Mount Cook, Kawarau Bridge, Arthur’s Pass and the Paparoa, Westland, Mount Aspiring and Fiordland national parks.

jaytours@msn.com

Services: Guided activities and tours

Glacier Explorers

Boat tours on the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Activities: Boating

Services: Guided activities and tours

First Light Travel

Guided day walks in Nelson/Tasman, Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago regions.

Services: Guided activities and tours

Flying Aotearoa Limited

Guiding on selected conforming tracks in Canterbury, Fiordland, Otago and West Coast.

Phone: +64 27 370 9832

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Harris Mountains Heliski

Guided heli skiing around Queenstown, Wanaka and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Activities: Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours

American Universities International Programs

Guided half day walks in the Hooker Valley, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park as part of a student programme.

Services: Guided activities and tours

Horizons Unlimited

Guided walks throughout the South Island as part of team building activities and outdoor education programmes.

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Winson Tranventures Ltd

Guiding in Fiordland, Southland, Canterbury and Otago.

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Mountain Recreation

Guided climbing and tramping, climbing courses in Mount Aspiring, Westland and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Parks.

Activities: Climbing

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Grand View Travel Limited

Guided walking on Conforming Tracks in the South Island.

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Little Bridge Travel Ltd

Guiding and transport on selected Conforming tracks in Canterbury, Central North Island, Fiordland, Otago and West Coast areas.

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Sidetracks

Guided walks as part of a tour throughout New Zealand.

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Amazing New Zealand

Conforming walks within multi regions and districts.

Services: Guided activities and tours

Alpine Recreation

Guided mountaineering, ski touring, alpine instruction and guided walks in Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring National Parks and other parts of the South Island. Activities include snow shoe treks, backcountry skiing, nordic and alpine ski touring, climbing courses.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours

Ramblers Worldwide Holidays

Guided walks as part of tours throughout New Zealand.

Services: Guided activities and tours

Mt Cook Glacier Guiding

Mt Cook Glacier Guiding provides guided activities on the Tasman and Murchison Glaciers.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours

Opulence Tours Ltd

Private guided tours around the South island.

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Mount Hutt Helicopters

Guided heli-skiing and heli-boarding on Mount Hutt, Hakatere Conservation Park and Oxford Forest. Scenic helicopter flights, snow landings, and heli hunting at Mount Hutt, the Canterbury High Country, Southern Alps, and West Coast glaciers.

Activities: Hunting; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours

Active Adventures

Guided, small group hiking tours travelling between national parks for overnight and 2-night hikes. Trip may also include soaking in hotpools, mountain biking, kayaking and caving.

Activities: Caving; Kayaking and canoeing; Mountain biking; Walking and tramping

Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours

Mercury Travel Group Limited: Concessionaires

Guided Walking at selected tracks nationwide.

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Mount Cook Ski Planes

Scenic flights, climber transport, and charters with both fixed wing ski planes and helicopters in Fiordland, Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks, and snow landings on the Tasman Glacier.

Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours; Weddings

Adventure Consultants

Guided multi-day mountaineering, alpine tramping, ski touring treks and alpine instruction in Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring National Parks, and Remarkables Conservation Area.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Peak Experience

Guided mountaineering, ski touring, alpine trekking, rock climbing and instruction courses in Otago, Canterbury and Fiordland.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Once Upon A Trip

Guided walks as part of tours throughout New Zealand.

Services: Guided activities and tours

Flying Kiwi Wilderness Expeditions

Guided activities as part of adventure tours in the North and South Islands.

Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Mountain biking; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours

Wildsouth Discovery Limited

Guided walking and nature interpretation at multiple locations throughout the South Island.

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Tuatara Tours NZ

Guided walking and cycling as part of tours within New Zealand.

Activities: Mountain biking

Services: Guided activities and tours

Meghan Maloney Photography

Guided walks for photography workshops.

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

The Hermitage Hotel

Accommodation, dining, conference and event facilities, and guided activities including Tasman Glacier Lake boat tours, Tasman Valley 4WD and Argo tours, guided walks, star gazing in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Activities: Boating; Four wheel driving

Services: Accommodation; Facilities; Guided activities and tours; Weddings

No 1 Tours

Guided walks as part of a bus tour within the South Island.

no-1tours@hotmail.com

Services: Guided activities and tours

mtcook.com

Guided walks and kayaking trips, and storage at Mueller and Tasman Lakes in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Activities: Kayaking and canoeing

Services: Guided activities and tours

Venture Photography Workshops

Guiding on conforming tracks for photography lessons in the South Island of New Zealand.

Activities: Bird and wildlife watching; Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Tutoko Outdoor Guides

Guided walks throughout the South Island and booking of DOC huts, as part of tours specialising in Japanese tourists/language.

Services: Guided activities and tours

Aspiring Guides

Guided walks, mountaineering, rock climbing and ski touring in Mount Aspiring and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Parks.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring; Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Travel Island Tours

Bus tour to Aoraki/Mount Cook, Kawarau Bridge and Fordland National Park.

tisnz@hotmail.com

Services: Guided activities and tours

Awa Travel Ltd

Guiding on selected Conforming tracks in Canterbury, Fiordland and West Coast areas.

Landline phone: 64 9 620 8668

Mobile: 64 21 31 3038

Email: avatravelnz@hotmail.com

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

New Zealand Photography Workshops Ltd

Multi-day photography tours in New Zealand.

Services: Guided activities and tours

ANZ Nature Tours

Tour packages and tailor-made travels for individual travellers and groups within New Zealand. Self-drive and special interest tours for travel agents as well as independent travellers.

Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Geo Tours

Guided walks as part of tours in the South Island.

Services: Guided activities and tours

CJ & M J Holiday Limited

Guided walks in the West Coast, Canterbury, Fiordland and Otago

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Tussock and Beech Ecotours

Guided nature tours in the Southern Alps.

Activities: Bird and wildlife watching

Services: Guided activities and tours

Hiking New Zealand

Hikes, tours and adventures to suit all people and fitness levels.

Activities: Boating; Kayaking and canoeing; Mountain biking; Rafting; Skiing and ski touring; Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Glacier Kayaking

Guided walks, heli-skiing, glacier lake kayaking trips in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours

Royal Express Tours

Guided walks throughout the South Island as part of a bus tour.

royalexpress@xtra.co.nz

Services: Guided activities and tours

Antipodes Travel

Tailor-made tours for independent travellers or group tours within New Zealand.

Services: Guided activities and tours

Queenstown Activities Limited

Short description of what service the concessionaire offers and where (1-2 sentences) Guided walking on conforming tracks Te Anau, West Coast, Aoraki and Wakatipu.

+64 22 026 2199

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

Adventure Touring

Guided walking in the West Coast, Canterbury, and Southland.

Mobile: +64 27 281 8173

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

The Road Trip

Short guided walks in the South Island.

Services: Guided activities and tours

Sunrockice Mountain Guides

Guided mountaineering, alpine tramping, ski touring and alpine instruction in Mount Tasman, Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Capture New Zealand Photography Tours

Guided walks as part of photography tours around New Zealand.

Services: Guided activities and tours

Wigwam Tours

Guided walks as part of tours throughout New Zealand – sold in German speaking countries.

Services: Guided activities and tours

Adventure South

Guided mountain biking and walking across New Zealand.

Activities: Mountain biking

Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours

Road Scholar (Elderhostel Inc)

Guided Walking at selected tracks in Canterbury, Fiordland, Otago and West Coast regions and Central North Island.

Activities: Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours

KTL Tours

Guided walks as part of a South Island tour.

Services: Guided activities and tours

TRANSPORT

Adventure South

Guided mountain biking and walking across New Zealand.

Activities: Mountain biking

Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours

Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters

Helicopter transport, scenic flights and charters in remote Fiordland locations, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Mount Cook.

Services: Transport; Weddings

Sincere Tours

Transport throughout the South Island.

fta12@xtra.co.nz

Services: Transport

Mount Hutt Helicopters

Activities: Hunting; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours

Active Adventures

Guided, small group hiking tours travelling between national parks for overnight and 2-night hikes. Trip may also include soaking in hotpools, mountain biking, kayaking and caving.

Activities: Caving; Kayaking and canoeing; Mountain biking; Walking and tramping

Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours

Mountain Helicopters Fox Glacier

Helicopter charters and scenic flights over Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland National Parks.

Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours

The Helicopter Line

Scenic and charter helicopter flights for Aoraki/Mount Cook and Fiordland National Parks, Queenstown area, Milford Sound, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.

Activities: Hunting

Services: Transport

Mount Cook Ski Planes

Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours; Weddings

Black ZQN

Guided luxury vehicle transport in the Otago area, Mount Aspiring National Park, Milford Sound/Fiordland National Park and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Activities: Four wheel driving

Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours

ACCOMODATION

Aoraki/Mount Cook Alpine Lodge

Accommodation for travelers in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Services: Accommodation

The Hermitage Hotel

Activities: Boating; Four wheel driving

Services: Accommodation; Facilities; Guided activities and tours; Weddings

FACILITIES

The Hermitage Hotel

Activities: Boating; Four wheel driving

Services: Accommodation; Facilities; Guided activities and tours; Weddings

Wanaka Mountain Guides

Guided walking, climbing, mountaineering and skiing in Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks.

hugh@mountainguiding.info

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Facilities; Guided activities and tours

OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND INSTRUCTION

Alpine Guides

Mountaineering and avalanche courses, guided climbing and ski touring in the Southern Alps, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring, Mount Tasman.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Sunrockice Mountain Guides

Guided mountaineering, alpine tramping, ski touring and alpine instruction in Mount Tasman, Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Aspiring Guides

Guided walks, mountaineering, rock climbing and ski touring in Mount Aspiring and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Parks.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring; Walking and tramping

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Peak Experience

Guided mountaineering, ski touring, alpine trekking, rock climbing and instruction courses in Otago, Canterbury and Fiordland.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Methven Heliski

Heli and glacier skiing, mountaineering courses, guided climbing, ski touring and avalanche courses in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Adventure Consultants

Guided multi-day mountaineering, alpine tramping, ski touring treks and alpine instruction in Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring National Parks, and Remarkables Conservation Area.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Horizons Unlimited

Guided walks throughout the South Island as part of team building activities and outdoor education programmes.

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Mountain Recreation

Guided climbing and tramping, climbing courses in Mount Aspiring, Westland and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Parks.

Activities: Climbing

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

Southern Alps Guiding

Guided mountaineering, ski touring, glacier skiing, snowshoeing and alpine instruction in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring

Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction

WEDDINGS

The Wedding Company New Zealand

Arrange destination weddings throughout New Zealand for couples around the globe including heli-weddings to stunning mountain-top and glacier locations within Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.

Services: Weddings

Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters

Helicopter transport, scenic flights and charters in remote Fiordland locations, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Mount Cook.

Services: Transport; Weddings

The Hermitage Hotel

Activities: Boating; Four wheel driving

Services: Accommodation; Facilities; Guided activities and tours; Weddings

Mount Cook Ski Planes

Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours; Weddings

Travel Pack Information

Walking tracks around Aoraki Mt Cook PDF
Plants and animals. There is virtually no forest in the park. Instead the park is alive with the most wonderful alpine plants. Over 300 species of plants are found in the park. Among the most spectacular of these are many varieties of mountain buttercup (Ranunculus) and daisy/tikumu (Celmisia). The famed Mount Cook lily, Ranunculus lyallii, is the largest buttercup in the world. About 40 species of birds are found in the park, and perhaps the most distinctive of these is the kea, a mountain parrot well known for its mischievous antics. The only true alpine bird is the tiny rock wren/piwauwau, which survives the winter in high rock basins. However kea, falcons/karearea and black-backed gulls/karoro can be found soaring in higher areas. The braided riverbed of the Tasman is home to the kakī/black stilt, one of New Zealand’s rarest birds. The park is rich with invertebrate fauna, including large dragonflies, grasshoppers, distinctive moths and butterflies. A black alpine wētā known as the Mount Cook flea is found above the snowline. The jewelled gecko lives in the region but is so secretive that it is rarely seen.

As described by official website Nature and conservation: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Whanganui River is worth the journey.

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