Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is one of the most famous tourist attractions in New Zealand. First, let’s learn some basic information about it, such as “how tall is Mount Cook?”, its village, and then things to do in Mount Cook.
About Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
This park sits on the South Island of New Zealand. It is about 2 hours from Lake Tekapo town. The park stretches 722 square kilometers. It is home to 8 of the 12 New Zealand’s biggest glaciers. These enormous glaciers account for 40% of this national park!
Aoraki has a more common name, which is Mount Cook. And Aoraki is actually its traditional name in the Maori language.
How Tall Is Mount Cook?
It is 3,724 meters above sea level. This is also the highest mountain in New Zealand.
Can You Climb The Aoraki Mount Cook?
This is another common question apart from “How tall is Mount Cook?”. Obviously, the answer is yes. But be prepared, it’s quite a big challenge even for hiking experts.
How Long Should You Spend Here?
The best ideal duration is from 2 to 3 nights. This amount of time will let you visit the best attractions. You’ll also have more time to complete a hike or even two.
Mount Cook Village
This is the only town within the park. Aoraki Mount Cook Village offers several housing options and diners. You can also see a tourist center and a DOC (Department of Conservation) office here.
Here is some basic information about Mount Cook Village. You should learn about it so you can be well-prepared for your trip. You don’t want to encounter unexpected situations while traveling, right? Then keep a close eye on the following:
- All facilities here operate on leases and concessions from the government
- Besides a small in-hotel convenience store, the village has no grocery stores
- The closest supermarket is 65 kilometers away in Twizel
- You’ll find a self-service petrol pump behind the complex buildings. However, the fuel price is expensive due to its remote location.
Things To Do In Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
Go Sky-Watching In A Dark Sky Reserve
Mount Cook National Park is in fact part of the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve. This area is 4,300 km2 wide and is saved from luminous pollution. It is the only Dark Sky Reserve in the Southern Hemisphere. The intent of a place like this is to allow people to look into space without light pollution.
Hence, once you come here, you can witness the twinkling stars you’ve never seen before. The best ideal sites are the Tasman Glacier parking lot and the White Horse Hill Campsite within the park. Out here, you can adjust your eyes properly and watch countless stars in a clear sky.
Glacier Kayaking
You can see the Tasman Glacier from the Tasman Lake Viewpoint, but it’s rather far away. And it goes for the same with Mueller Lake Viewpoint.
So, if you want a closer look, it’s better to take the kayaking tour around the lakes. The tour offers a chance to paddle out to the glacier. By that, you’ll get a much closer gaze with the safety of an experienced guide.
A kayaking tour in Aoraki Mount Cook isn’t cheap but it lasts for 4 to 6 hours. The minimum age to join the tour is 15 years. There is also a limit to the number of people per kayak trip to ensure safety. As a result, you should check in advance for available tours before going.
Enjoy An Incredible Helicopter Ride
We ensure that the views from the air are out of this world. It’ll certainly be an experience you can never forget.
During a 35-minute helicopter ride, you’ll see numerous sceneries. It first takes wing past Mount Cook and then touches down the Tasman Glacier. Notable highlights are Fox Glaciers and Franz Josef.
See Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Sir Edmund Hillary and his partner, Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were the foremost people worldwide to conquer Mount Everest peak. He once used Aoraki Mount Cook National Park as a training place to prepare for his great climb. As a result, this region has become a favored attraction for extreme sports enthusiasts.
The visitor center has a museum and a theater inside. Visit the museum to read about how these greatest explorers prepared for the Mt Everest summit climb. Meanwhile, the theater showcases films about the area and Sir Edmund Hillary.
The entry fee to the museum and theater is $20 NZD per person. The fee includes total viewings for 48 hours.
Have An Incredible Skydiving Experience
There is no better place to go skydiving than Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. You can see the entire stunning Lake Pukaki from above.
In Mount Cook Village, you’ll find a site that offers skydive experiences. They have three options in total. The price varies depending on the skydiving height.
Go seize the craziest and most amazing moment in your life!
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