Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Visiting Mount Cook in winter was a breathtaking experience like no other — the entire landscape was blanketed in pristine snow, with majestic peaks rising through the clouds and reflecting off the icy lake below. The silence of the snowy trails, the crisp mountain air, and the surreal beauty of the surroundings made it feel like a dream. Every turn offered a postcard-perfect view, from the glowing clouds behind the mountains to the untouched white expanses stretching in all directions. It’s a peaceful, magical escape into nature’s raw beauty — truly a must-visit winter wonderland in New Zealand.

Mt Cook National Park was without a doubt the absolute highlight of our South Island trip. From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the sheer beauty and scale of the mountains — truly majestic and awe-inspiring. We were lucky enough to meet a female park ranger who was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. She provided us with detailed information about the park, Mt Cook, and its surroundings, and recommended we do the Hooker Valley Track — advice we’re so glad we took. Although Mt Cook was hidden behind clouds for most of the day, we stayed hopeful throughout the hike. As we returned at sunset, the clouds finally parted and we caught a stunning glimpse of the mountain. It was a magical moment, and I managed to capture an incredible photo that I’ll treasure forever. We also camped overnight in our RV at the park. The same ranger kindly helped us sort out the payment for our stay the next morning — such thoughtful and considerate service that really added to the experience. The Hooker Valley Track was unfortunately closed partway (just past the first bridge), but even so, the views of Mt Cook, Mt Sefton, and the surrounding peaks were jaw-dropping. We could even hear the sound of small avalanches and ice cracking off the glaciers — a raw and powerful reminder of the nature surrounding us. This visit was the highlight of my trip, hands down. I’ll definitely be back once the full track reopens — and I absolutely recommend it to anyone visiting the South Island. It’s a photographer’s dream and a place that truly stays with you.

The hike to this place is very intense, there is so many stairs. Way too many. You need to have a very good physical condition to do this hike. At the top it’s even harder because the rocks are loose and you can easy fall. Other places you have to go through rocks there is no track. The views are very beautiful and worthy. You can also heard the glaciers. You have to go very early because in the afternoon it gets foggy, not much visibility. You can make the reservation in the Muellers hut in advance and stay there.

Beautiful views, great place to hike. Lots of people over the weekend,so be prepared to park on side of road entering park area.

The Tasman Glacier is melting. It’s breathtaking and heartbreaking all at the same time. Once a mighty giant glacier easily carving its way through the Southern Alps, the glacier is now shrinking at an alarming rate. The turquoise glacial lake, speckled with floating icebergs, is undeniably beautiful, but it’s impossible to ignore the sadness of what’s being lost. Walking along the trails, you can see the glacier’s power but you’re quickly humbled by its fragility. Protect our planet please.

Beautiful walk, the end view is so worth it! The trail is mostly flat, and very well maintained so definitely suitable for all fitness levels. The path did get a bit slippery while the sun was coming up and melting the snow … be warned. You get to cross over 3 swing bridges and they all have awesome views! And the walk ends at a lake with an amazing view! A must do walk, would definitely recommend.

If you are lucky enough to get the weather this is the most beautiful place to visit.

Amazing experience. I would highly recommend the helicopter glacier experience. It was such a good day out and felt safe the entire time. The guides were so good and the perfect balance between letting us have fun and keeping us safe.

How could this be anything less than 5 stars? Mount Cook is absolutely worth the stop, and was another of many highlights of our NZ trip. There are so many hiking trails to enjoy here, but even just driving into Mount Cook National Park is a true wonder. In the mornings as the clouds are still hanging low over the water, the view is remarkable - bright blue glacial water, fluffy clouds, and mountain peaks looming above. We headed deep into the national park for the Hooker Valley hike. WOW, this is a popular one - the parking lot was packed! Be sure to bring lots of sunscreen, water, and head/face protection - in the summer without clouds, this is brutally hot (despite hiking near glaciers haha). It's a mostly flat path, just long - and the view of Mt. Cook above a glacial lake at the end is really cool! The lake is gray due to the glacial silt - it looks dirty almost. There are still some glaciers to see along the hike here as well. We only had time for one big hike during our stay, but know there was more to see and do - including some longer treks and hut hikes here. We took a dip in one of the glacial lakes on the road back out of the park - a great way to cool off after a hot day. A true natural wonder!

Amazing national park! Breathtaking views! Fabulous hikes! Free entry. Like the rest of New Zealand, you won't regret visiting.

The Mt. Cook National Park offers a great variety of hiking trails, with variety between flat path easy, medium effort with incline, and harder steep treks- if needed the Hermitage Hotel offers an excellent hiking trail map, listing everything offered with times and trailhead parking advice. Each trail gave different breathtaking views of glacier lakes, ponds, or rivers-no matter the route the mountains created a very windy valley-so I highly recommend bringing along a wind jacket, securing a warm hat, and wearing gloves. In all, we completed: Hooker Valley Lake- 3hr return- flat path-windy, but excellent glacier variety Tasman Glacier Lake/Blue Lakes-2hr return-slight inclines to glacier lakes where you can touch the coldest water ever! Governor's Bush Walk-30min return, honestly a very boring walk Red Tarns Hike-30min return-steep steep incline Sealy Tarns Hike-1hr return-steep incline All have easy parking and were well marked

A fairly compact park in terms of frontcoutry, great to visit even if only for a couple hours. The views along Lake Pukaki on the drive in just keep getting better. Having a young kid -- and with Hooker Valley closed due to floods -- we did Tasman Glacier and Kea Point. Both give incredible close up looks at the power of glaciers as well as views of towering mountains. The visitor center is modern with great exhibits. And no park entry fee!

This hike is described on their website as a flat hike; however, there was a little of incline and decline. Nonetheless, it is not a rigorous hike, and there are many places to stop for photo opportunities or to just take in the beauty that is surrounding you. It is definitely VERY windy. On the website, they recommend a wind jacket, and that was really helpful! Also, you'll want to take a snack to enjoy when you reach the "end" of the hike. You can appreciate the lake, refuel, and get ready to take the same trail back. Bonus - because of the strong winds, there are no insects!

It's hard to rate a place this majestic any less than 5 stars. Words cannot begin to describe the towering presence of the mountains, the awe inspiring glaciers, the clear air that cleanses you with every breath, the dark night sky that opens up worlds of wonder in your mind... ahh, yes. Magic. A place that reminds us of how small we are. You won't regret coming here. Ever. A National treasure. There is no cost to enter. It is quite a small park in terms of accessible area but when you count the vertical presence of those mountains, you'll be blown away. It is easy to get here and the road in parallels the gorgeous Caribbean blue glacier waters of Lake Pukaki for many miles. Astounding. The hiking trails are limited if your idea of hiking doesn't start with"its 2000 stairs to the first summit". The "easy" hikes are few and all involve serious elevation change. But to look out and see the Tasman Glacier or the blue lakes or, yes, the massive Mt. Cook... so worth it. A full day here is probably all you need. But it will leave you breathless and humbled.

Perhaps one of the best destinations New Zealand has to offer due to its rich deep snow capped mountain ranges, greenish landscapes, beautiful blue lakes, dark crisp skies, and accessible roads. Aoraki or Mount Cook National Park is a Campers heaven. Where the sun rays hit without pollution, this UNESCO Heritage Site is an awe inspiring place if you're into nature. It is an worthy driven escape from the city life of Queenstown and a plane ride from Auckland. I'd recommend this place to anyone coming to New Zealand, just like Milford Sound, you need to come and see for yourself. Seriously. The night sky is gorgeous and clear, you wish you was an Astronomer just because you want to understand what you're seeing plus you need an expensive professional camera to even capture those star pics. The drive here may be long but it's is so worth the journey. Perhaps making that part of your destination here even more telling. Enjoy the outdoors!

Free to park and very well kept grounds. The scenery is breathtaking. Many hiking and walking trails to choose from for all levels. I opted for the Hooker Valley trail that leads you to a iceberg lake. You get the picture perfect postcard shots! The greenery with snow capped mountains! I just can't.. no words to describe what you see and feel. Highly recommend coming here if you visit New Zealand !

This world heritage site is just amazing - breath-taking views of the mountains, lakes and some great hikes. We went to the park on 3 occasions for different activities. The accommodations at the park are pricey and limited unless camping do we stayed in Twizel and drove to the national park, about an hour drive with awesome views on a clear day. We did several of the hikes there - Hooker Valley trail which is mostly easy flat walking with continuous view of Mount Cook. Mostly open so a little difficult on hot sunny days. The Tasman river trail and glacier walks are also relatively easy, but with stairs. Unfortunately, the glaciers are pretty much gone because of climate change which was very evident here. Nonetheless, worth the hour walk to see the lake. On a separate day we also did the Mueller hut trail. This is definitely a difficult trail for the inexperienced like us. Certainly helps to have some mountaineering skills because parts of the trail are steep with loose gravel and parts have boulders that have to be crossed to complete the trail. The initial half of the trail to Sealy Tarns is mainly stairs. After Sealy Tarns the trail is less crowded because of the level of difficulty. It's a tease when you reach the top of the mountain because views are amazing, but the hug is actually another 15-20 min hike through rocky areas. Glacier views are great. The hut has seating outside, water to refill, and toilets but the toilets were not clean. I highly recommend the hikes, especially Mueller hut trail for those inclined to challenge themselves and for all who are experienced in these types of hikes. The views won't disappoint! Also on a separate evening, we had dinner at the hermitage hotel panorama room and afterwards did the planetarium and star gazing.