Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park is one among New Zealand’s premier pure treasures. If you happen to’re headed to Mount Cook dinner then you definately’re in luck, as a result of this text will go over all the perfect issues to do in Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park on New Zealand’s South Island.
New Zealand won’t have the best mountains on this planet, but it surely’s onerous to argue that it doesn’t have among the most stunning. The Southern Alps stretch from the highest to the underside of the South Island. At 12,218 ft (3724m), the apex of this superior mountain vary is Mount Cook dinner, named after British explorer James Cook dinner, however often known as Aoraki within the Māori language.
The mountain peak is protected in a nationwide park that provides some great leisure alternatives. This put up is all about visiting Aoraki/Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park so learn on to find extra about this actually breathtaking place!
Mount Cook dinner – What You Have to Know
The place is Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park?
Aoraki/Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park is in the course of the South Island of New Zealand. It’s a strong 4-hour drive from Christchurch or a 3-hour drive from Queenstown, the closest airports.
The park is on the north tip of Lake Pukaki and sits within the jap facet of the Southern Alps. The closest city is Twizel, about 50 minutes south by automobile. It’s remoted, to say the least.
How one can get there
One of the simplest ways to get to Mount Cook dinner is by automobile, be it your individual or a rental. Most individuals go to Mount Cook dinner as a part of an extended street journey round New Zealand. It’s a essential cease on any two-week or 3-week New Zealand itinerary, but it surely’s additionally doable to do as a weekend journey from Christchurch or by flying out and in of Christchurch for the weekend.
There are direct flights to Christchurch from virtually each home airport in New Zealand, however not from abroad (although United claims to be beginning a direct service from San Francisco to Christchurch in 2024). From Christchurch, it’s about 3 hours to Mount Cook dinner.
For reserving rental vehicles in New Zealand we use discovercars.com. They provide nice charges in New Zealand. You’ll be able to try leases from Christchurch or Queenstown.
If you happen to don’t really feel like driving or simply don’t need to drive on the left facet of the street then you might have two choices. You’ll be able to take a bus or an organized tour. The bus is just not a foul choice, as when you get to the park you don’t want a automobile.
There are quite a few excursions to Mount Cook dinner from Christchurch and Queenstown. These offer you much less freedom however make life simpler with all of the logistics labored out for you. Some tour choices are beneath.
Climate and when to go to
You’re within the mountains right here, so you actually by no means know what you’re going to get with regards to the climate. Count on a mixture of rain, solar, and wind. Keep in mind that summer time within the southern hemisphere is December – February.
You’ll be able to count on a mixture of heat days and funky days in the summertime, however by no means too scorching. It may be 80 levels (27 C) sooner or later and 55 (13 C) the following. You need to come ready for every type of climate while you go to Mount Cook dinner.
Winter within the park is chilly and snowy. Until you want climbing within the snow, it is best to go to Mount Cook dinner between October and April. December to February would be the warmest and provide the finest alternative to see wildflowers. It’s additionally the busiest time of the yr within the park, however you actually need to go to in that busy window as a result of climate.
How lengthy to spend at Mount Cook dinner
Folks normally keep one or two nights at Mount Cook dinner. Three nights offers you the perfect alternatives for good climate, although. Something greater than that basically isn’t wanted until you’re planning on summiting Mount Cook dinner.
At a minimal, plan to spend one night time within the park with a full day on both facet. Numerous individuals simply cease by Mount Cook dinner for a day journey, however this actually places you on the mercy of the climate gods and I don’t advocate that until you’re brief on time.
Meals and cash
There are a number of locations to eat inside the park, however when you’re on a funds, it’s finest to deliver your individual meals, as there may be nothing quick and low-cost.
If you would like a really spectacular eating expertise, have lunch or dinner on the Alpine Eating Room on the Hermitage Resort. It’s a buffet meal with an ideal view of Mount Cook dinner, like one thing from a dream. At $49 NZD it’s not low-cost, however completely price it. I’d by no means had such contemporary and scrumptious salmon earlier than in my life.
It’s now well-known, however New Zealand has among the finest king salmon on this planet and it comes from the freshwater rivers round Mount Cook dinner. If in case you have an opportunity to attempt Mount Cook dinner salmon, don’t go it up!
New Zealand makes use of the New Zealand Greenback. It’s normally about 0.7 to the US Greenback. Issues are costly in New Zealand, however for People and Europeans touring there, prices are a bit higher as a result of trade charge.
You don’t want money wherever in New Zealand, but it surely’s a good suggestion to get a minimum of a couple of dollars. Plus the notes are fairly cool. Attempt to rip them aside. You’ll be able to’t, are you able to?
Mount Cook dinner Village
Nearly all of the lodging and eating inside the park is positioned in a little bit space on the base of Mount Ollivier often called Mount Cook dinner Village. You’ll seemingly spend a minimum of a while right here, even when you’re tenting.
Issues to do in Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park
Now that you recognize the fundamentals about Aoraki/Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park let’s get into among the finest issues to do at Mount Cook dinner. There are lots of actions within the park, however they’re primarily centered round nature and the nice outside. So if that’s not your factor, then this in all probability isn’t the perfect journey for you!
Mountaineering
The spotlight of any go to to Aoraki/Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park is getting out onto the paths. There are trails for all health ranges within the park and everybody will be capable of get some epic views of Mount Cook dinner and the encircling peaks and glaciers.
This put up doesn’t go into element about all the person hikes within the park, however simply provides a fast overview of every hike. Discuss with the offered hyperlinks to the AllTrails web site for beginning areas and additional particulars concerning the hikes.
Hooker Valley Monitor (10.6km spherical journey)
The Hooker Valley Monitor is the preferred path within the park. It takes you to the sting of a mountain lake proper on the base of Mount Cook dinner. It’s as shut as you’ll get to the mountain until you’re a mountain climber.
It’s largely flat and appropriate for all ability and health ranges. The quilt photograph for this put up was taken from the path. You’ll cross a number of suspension bridges that may be fairly thrilling, however aside from that it’s a quite simple climbing path that gained’t take a look at your endurance.
Mueller Hut Route (9.3km spherical journey)
The Mueller Hut Route is a steep, strenuous out-and-back hike that takes you to a mountain hut. You’re principally strolling upstairs for an hour or two.
It’s enjoyable to spend the night time up within the mountains at Mueller Hut if in case you have it booked prematurely. You sometimes need to guide actually far prematurely and plan your journey round it.
No sweat although, the hike is satisfying as a day hike as effectively. Or actually, a half-day hike because it’s probably not that far. The route is busy however not almost as busy because the Hooker Valley observe.
Sealy Tarns Monitor (5.1km spherical journey)
If going all the best way to Mueller Hut is a bit a lot for you, you may go for the Sealy Tarns Monitor, which works about midway to the hut however stops at an alpine lake earlier than heading again.
Mount Ollivier Summit Monitor (11.5km spherical journey)
Quite the opposite, if the Mueller Hut Route isn’t daunting sufficient for you, you may all the time proceed to the highest of Mount Ollivier on the Mount Ollivier Summit Monitor. If you happen to make it to the highest right here, you’ll actually be trying down on Mount Cook dinner Village and throughout to Mount Cook dinner.
Kea Viewpoint and Sealy Tarns (7.8km spherical journey)
For a pleasant stroll alongside the bottom of a mountain with a little bit of climbing to a lake, go for the Kea Viewpoint and Sealy Tarns observe. The path begins and ends in Mount Cook dinner Village and provides pretty views of surrounding peaks. It’s a reasonable hike and good for hikers of all health ranges.
Tasman Lake Monitor (3.5km spherical journey)
Whereas the focus of the nationwide park is perhaps Mount Cook dinner itself, there may be extra to the park than simply the well-known mountain. On the opposite facet of Mount Cook dinner is the Tasman Glacier, the longest glacier within the nation. On the base of the glacier is Tasman Lake, a big lake with almost 360-degree mountain views.
The Tasman Lake Monitor will take you to the primary viewpoint for the lake and glacier, in addition to a number of different viewpoints. There are fairly a number of strolling paths on this area that you could wander round as effectively. It’s largely flat and tough to get misplaced.
Ball Hut Route (15.5km spherical journey)
If you happen to’d prefer to stroll alongside the Tasman Glacier you may trek to Ball Hut and again on the Ball Hut Route. It’s an informal uphill hike that takes you face-to-face with the glacier.
If you would like it’s also possible to keep in a single day on the hut. There are six beds and it’s first come first served. Notice that the Tasman Glacier is just not a ravishing white glacier or something like that. It’s coated in rocks and dirt and when you didn’t know higher you wouldn’t even assume it’s a glacier.
Go to the Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
The good Kiwi mountain climber Edmund Hillary used to coach for Everest on Mount Cook dinner. It was right here at Mount Cook dinner the place we mastered the climbing abilities that gave him the power and ability to be the primary particular person (together with climbing mate Tenzig Norgay) to summit Everest in 1953.
On the Hermitage Resort, you may go to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre and be taught all about arguably probably the most well-known New Zealander ever. The museum is open each day from 8 AM to 9 PM and prices $25 NZD for entrance ($15 for kids).
Mountain Pictures
Mount Cook dinner is the second most photogenic place in New Zealand (in my humble opinion), the primary being Milford Sound in Fiordland. It’s a panoramic place that can meet any photographer’s lust for magnificence.
There are two essential spots to hit for the perfect photographs of Mount Cook dinner. The closest you will get to the mountain is on the finish of the Hooker Valley Monitor. Hooker Lake stands between you and the foot of the mountain and normally has little icebergs floating round.
The opposite well-liked spot for photographs is on Freeway 80 alongside the shores of Lake Pukaki. You’ll comply with this freeway for about 55 kilometers alongside the lake in your solution to Mount Cook dinner Village. As you drive this street the mountain will seem like it’s proper in your face, although it’s dozens of miles away.
There’s one scenic turnout you may cease at, however be looking out for the perfect views as you drive the street. With the solar shining on the mountain, it will probably look purely gorgeous.
The street is normally not busy in any respect, and you’ll take photographs of your self in the course of the street. Sadly for us, it was fairly cloudy that day so I couldn’t see Mount Cook dinner from the street. However we did get some fairly good views on the best way again to Christchurch.
Take a Scenic Helicopter Journey
Taking a scenic helicopter flight excessive above the mountains is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do at Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park. The flights are brief and costly, normally 25-40 minutes for about $300 NZD. However most individuals who embark on the helicopter journey discover it price each penny.
The helicopter excursions additionally embrace a touchdown at a flat, snowy spot up within the mountains. You don’t have lengthy to stroll round, however you get a barely completely different perspective than you will get from the climbing trails.
Climb Mount Cook dinner
If in case you have intensive prior mountaineering expertise, summiting Mount Cook dinner is probably the most exhilarating factor you are able to do within the park. There are a selection of outfitters that supply guided climbs of Mount Cook dinner, comparable to Queenstown Mountain Guides.
The climb will set you again a number of thousand {dollars}, take as much as 6 days, and also you’ll need to show to them that you’ve got satisfactory climbing expertise. However standing atop the best level within the Southern Alps is priceless.
Don’t be fooled by the comparatively low elevation of the Mount Cook dinner summit. Attending to the highest is just not straightforward. Severe technical mountaineering ability is required to make the summit as a result of glaciated terrain of the mountain. If the clothes shop decides that you just don’t have sufficient related climbing expertise, they gained’t take you.
Lodging in Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park
There are a number of choices for spending the night time in Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park. From high-end resorts to tenting, you will discover one thing that fits your funds in and round Mount Cook dinner Village.
Tenting
There may be one campsite within the park. It has 60 tent websites and is managed by the nationwide park. It’s a little bit north of Mount Cook dinner Village, proper the place the Hooker Valley Monitor begins. Be sure you guide prematurely, because the campsite is in excessive demand in peak summer time. An ordinary tent web site is $15 NZD per night time ($18 NZD between 26 Dec and eight Feb).
Extra data on the campsite may be discovered on the Division of Conservation web site.
The Hermitage
The Hermitage Resort is as luxurious as you will get within the park. But it surely additionally provides extra fundamental motel rooms and easy cabins. The Hermitage manages nearly all of rooms accessible within the park.
The lodge is large – extra like a posh – and there are a number of completely different lodging varieties, with the motel being the most affordable and the lodge being the costliest. Seek the advice of their web site for extra data. Motel rooms begin at about $200 NZD and lodge rooms can run over $400 NZD for a superior room with a view of Mount Cook dinner.
YHA Aoraki Mt. Cook dinner
YHA is a well-liked model of hostels in New Zealand. They are often discovered everywhere in the nation. You’ll be able to guide a mattress in a shared dorm at YHA Mount Cook dinner for about $40 NZD. In addition they supply non-public rooms with non-public loos extra within the $150 NZD vary.
Aoraki Courtroom
Aoraki Courtroom is a small, privately owned motel with room charges beginning round $200 NZD. There isn’t a restaurant and there are not any companies, however you will get some good mountain views from the rooms.
Aoraki/Mount Cook dinner Alpine Lodge
The Aoraki / Mount Cook dinner Alpine Lodge competes with the Hermitage, although it’s a lot smaller and provides extra fundamental lodging choices. There isn’t a restaurant on the lodge however there’s a communal kitchen that visitors can prepare dinner at.
Mountain Huts
There are 10 mountain huts inside the park boundary. Mountain huts are extremely popular in New Zealand. It’s primarily a quite simple shelter within the mountains with dorm-style bunk beds.
The huts differ in companies. Some supply bedding, some don’t. It is determined by the hut. The Division of Conservation web site explains what companies are in every hut. If you wish to keep in one among these, make sure you guide effectively prematurely, as they’re an especially well-liked factor for Kiwis to do.
Mount Cook dinner – Ultimate Phrase
Aoraki / Mount Cook dinner Nationwide Park is likely one of the most visited locations in New Zealand, and when you see it you’ll perceive why. Mount Cook dinner itself is beautiful, coated in ice and rising 3000 meters from the valley ground beneath. However there may be extra to the park than simply the tallest peak within the nation.
Historical glaciers stream down mountains into icy lakes and wildflowers bloom in the summertime meadows. You’ll certainly love your time within the park. No person leaves Mount Cook dinner upset!
Chris runs the journey weblog Across the World with me.