With snow-capped peaks, scenic lakes, and blue-tinged icebergs, Aoraki Mount Cook promises alpine adventures like no other. It holds the title of being the highest mountain in New Zealand, but there are countless things to do in Mount Cook, even if you're not the most experienced climber.
From helicopter landings at glaciers to searching for constellations at the country's only International Dark Sky Reserve, there are plenty of exciting (not to mention free) activities in the Southern Alps' crowning jewel.
How to get to Mount Cook:
- From Queenstown
Mount Cook is within a four-hour drive away from Queenstown. You'll begin at State Highway 8 and head north, where you'll pass by Lake Pukaki before you arrive at Mount Cook.
- From Christchurch
The drive from Christchurch to Mount Cook takes approximately five hours. To start, head south towards Lake Tekapo. From there, drive to Geraldine and continue until you reach Aoraki/Mount Cook.
If you’ve been thinking hard about what to do in Mount Cook, here are 15 exciting activities you can try:
- Explore the Hooker Valley Track - Free
- Visit the Aoraki/Mount Cook Visitor Centre - Free
- Spot birds at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park - Free
- Enjoy the night sky at Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve - $45
- Grab a bite at The Hermitage Hotel - $55
- Go on a Tasman Glacier cruise to get up close to icebergs - $149
- Enjoy an intimate, small group tour of Mt Cook - $199
- Get unobstructed views of Mount Cook and beyond onboard a ski plane - $236
- Hop on a chopper over Tasman and visit Aoraki Mt Cook - $284
- See the best of the Tasman Valley from the clouds - $379
- Fly above Mount Cook on a ski plane - $399
- Discover the Glacier Highlights from the skies - $474
- Experience the ultimate Mt. Cook flight - $565
- Soar above the Southern Alps - $569
- Have a private picnic amongst the peaks of Mount Cook - $949
1. Explore the Hooker Valley Track - Free
Get rewarded with alpine views on a hike at Mount Cook. Image credits: @xxkimai
You don't have to have a big budget to enjoy the mountain. One of the best and free things to do in Mount Cook is to follow the Hooker Valley Track for breathtaking views of Mueller Lake, Mueller Glacier, and Aoraki/Mount Cook. The 3-hour trek is perfectly suitable for beginners.
2. Visit the Aoraki/Mount Cook Visitor Centre - Free
Take a peek at the local arts scene at the visitor centre. Image credit: @rachzika
Learn all about local history and fascinating things to do in Mount Cook at the visitor centre. Admire the colourful artworks decorating the interior and shop for souvenirs inside.
3. Spot birds at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park - Free
Spot birds like keas while you explore Mount Cook National Park. Image credits: @shayneaveryphotography
Beyond glaciers and lakes, Mount Cook is also blessed with wildlife. Go on a hike and keep your eyes peeled for local birds like falcons and gulls in their natural habitat at the national park. Make sure you’re prepared for weather changes during your trip!
4. Enjoy the night sky at Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve - $45
Try your hand at astrophotography at one of the best stargazing sites in the world. Image credit: @darkskyprojectnz
Blissfully located far away from the city, Mount Cook makes for an ideal stargazing site. In fact, it is one of the eight dark sky reserves in the world. Take advantage of the pollution-free skies and look for the Magellanic Clouds and the Milky Way.
5. Grab a bite at The Hermitage Hotel - $55
Combine the sights and the bites at The Hermitage Hotel. Image credit: @thehermitagehotel
Give your eyes and taste buds a treat with a meal at The Hermitage Hotel. Take your pick between an a la carte dinner or a buffet breakfast and take in the alpine scenery. The view from the massive, panoramic windows will definitely take your breath away!
6. Go on a Tasman Glacier cruise to get up close to icebergs - $149
Get a close look at glaciers on an unforgettable cruise.Image credit: @glacierexplorers on Instagram
Get to know the biggest glacier in New Zealand with a unique cruise. You'll set sail on Tasman Lake and be surrounded by cobalt-coloured icebergs and alpine views. Ideal for friends and families!
7. Enjoy an intimate, small group tour of Mt Cook - $199
Experience the best Mount Cook and get IG-worthy photos along the way
Trade Queenstown's heart-pumping offerings for the serene and postcard-perfect environment of Mount Cook. In just a day, you'll have a chance to take photos at the Kawarau Suspension Bridge, see the bright blue waters of Lake Pukaki, and explore the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Perfect for people short on time.
8. Get unobstructed views of Mount Cook and beyond onboard a ski plane - $236
Fly above Mount Cook for alpine scenery as far as the eye can see. Image credit: @inflite.nz on Instagram
Keen to experience the best of the Southern Alps but short on time? Why not go on a 360-degree flight experience where you'll get to see not just Mount Cook but also Tasman, Franz Josef, and Fox Glaciers. From way up high, you'll view otherwise inaccessible blue-tinged caves, ice formations, and snowfields. The postcard-worthy views make this one of the top things to do in Mount Cook. If you want to see the picture-perfect Hooker Valley from above, this is the ski plane flight for you.
9. Hop on a chopper over Tasman and visit Aoraki Mt Cook - $284
Play with powdery snow at Mount Cook. Image credit: @inflite.nz on Instagram
Enjoy uninterrupted views of the stunning blue water of Tasman Lake and Tasman Glacier from up high on a helicopter flight. Afterwards, you'll touch down at the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and soak in the snow-covered views. One of the best things to do in Mount Cook!
10. See the best of the Tasman Valley from the clouds - $379
Touch down and bask in the view of the alps! Image credit: @inflite.nz on Instagram
Immerse yourself in the Tasman Valley's stunning gems on this 35-minute flight experience. Take in the view of the picturesque Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier from thousands of feet up in the air. Cap it off with a landing on the glacier itself, where you can take photos and play with the snow.
11. Fly above Mount Cook on a ski plane - $399
See winter wonderland from the skies
With towering peaks, it's difficult to appreciate the alpine scenery of Mount Cook from the ground. Why not go up thousands of feet up in the air on a ski plane flight for a bird's eye view of not just Aoraki but also Hochstetter Icefall, Tasman Valley, and the Blue Lakes? You'll even get a chance to land on Tasman Glacier for the ultimate immersive adventure. To finish it off, you’ll switch from a ski plane to a helicopter on the ride back to get the full experience.
12. Discover the Glacier Highlights from the skies - $474
Snowfields and mountain views await you at Mount Cook. Image credit: @inflite.nz on Instagram
If you want to see more of the glaciers, this is the flight experience for you. Get to see the very best sights of Mt Cook National Park, from the upper reaches of Tasman Glacier to the snow-covered valleys of Hochstetter Icefall. You can even choose between a ski plane or a helicopter. Our advice: choose a ski plane for a more peaceful experience because pilots shut down the engine during landings, unlike choppers.
13. Experience the ultimate Mt. Cook flight - $565
Enjoy unbeatable views from the top when you fly above Mt. Cook
Make the most out of your time in the Southern Alps with the ultimate Mount Cook helicopter tour. In one flight, you'll see the South Island’s east and west coastlines, the summit of Mount Cook, the stunning ice formations at Tasman Lake, and more. You'll even land on the Tasman Glacier itself to experience winter wonderland firsthand.
14. Soar above the Southern Alps - $569
Admire New Zealand’s highest peak from the skies. Image credit: @inflite.nz on Instagram
Enjoy a trip packed with endless snowy views on this flight above the Southern Alps. You'll see the Southern Alps' finest sights, from the largest glacier in the country — Tasman Glacier — to the Grand Plateau and Hochstetter Icefall. Ideal for families!
15. Have a private picnic amongst the peaks of Mount Cook $949
Snow-capped peaks and powdery snow make for an unforgettable picnic. Image credit: @inflite.nz on Instagram
Looking for a unique thing to do in Mount Cook? How about an intimate picnic with the fam or with your partner on top of Mount Cook National Park? You'll get to bask in the alpine scenery as you indulge in a freshly-prepared meal. Sounds like paradise!
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