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New Zealand is one of the most gorgeous countries I have visited. Within a day, you can go from swimming with wild dolphins to exploring stunning clay cliffs! Mt. Cook is no exception and hosts some of the most beautiful hikes in the world. Also known as Aoraki, Mt. Cook is in the Southern Alps on New Zealand’s South Island. It is the highest mountain in New Zealand, standing at over 12,000 ft. (3,700 meters). The stunning landscapes around it attract thousands of visitors worldwide. Read on to learn about the top 10 things to do in Mt. Cook!
Is Mt. Cook safe for solo travelers?
Like much of New Zealand, Mt. Cook is safe for solo travelers! New Zealand is one of the countries I highly recommend to first-time female solo travelers because of its low crime rate and friendly people. Use Geosure and these other useful apps for solo travelers to check the safety rating of any city before you go.
Though you may be safe from crime, research if you plan to go hiking solo. Refrain from attempting dangerous trails on your own or with improper supplies.
How do I reach Mt. Cook?
Mt. Cook is right in the middle of the Southern Alps, and the only way to reach it is by driving on State Highway 80. It is approximately a one-hour drive from Tekapo and a three-hour drive from Queenstown. If you are road-tripping the South Island, you can easily add it as a stop on your itinerary since it is in the middle of other major stops. Most tours of the South Island also stop at Mt. Cook.
Where should I stay?
The best place to stay when visiting Mt. Cook is in Mt. Cook Village. It is the closest area to all of the activities and hiking trails. However, there are only a handful of lodges and hotels, so options are limited, and you have to book in advance. These are the two hotels I recommend:
The Hermitage
The Hermitage is a 4-star hotel with a premium experience, including dinner, bed, and breakfast packages. There are various room types, most of which have a mountain view. The Hermitage is the best hotel to book if you do not want to worry about food and want more of a luxury experience.
Aoraki Alpine Lodge
The Aoraki Alpine Lodge is cheaper than The Hermitage and provides more of a cabin vibe than a hotel vibe. This lodge is my favorite place to stay when visiting Mt. Cook. The rooms are cozy and clean, and I love its fully stocked kitchen so visitors can cook their dinners.
If you cannot find space in any of the hotels in Mt. Cook Village, I recommend staying in Tekapo. It is only an hour away, and the lake is breathtaking.
Note: Mt. Cook Village has no grocery stores nearby, and dining options are limited and booked quickly. Make sure to go grocery shopping in Tekapo before you arrive!
Top 10 Things to Do
1) Hooker Valley Track
One of the top things to do in Mt. Cook is go hiking! The mountain landscape makes for stunning hiking trails, and the Hooker Valley Track is the most popular. The trail is a 6.8-mile out-and-back, taking approximately 2.5 hours to complete. The trek is easy for anyone with a moderate fitness level since it is relatively flat. There are three hanging bridges, great views of Mt. Cook, and picnic tables along the way.
Tip: Parking is limited and gets crowded after 9 am, so try to arrive as early as possible. The track is also not very shaded, so the earlier you go, the cooler it will be.
2) Tasman Lake Hikes
This may be a controversial opinion, but I enjoyed the Tasman Lake Hikes more than the Hooker Valley Trek, even though they are less popular. The glacial lake had a stunning blue color, and I spent much time looking at the scenery.
There are a couple of different walks and paths you can take, but all of them are short, so I recommend exploring multiple. One takes you to a lookout above the lake, and you can see Mount Cook peeking out in the distance. My favorite is the hike to the shore of the lake. This reasonably short 2.3-mile out-and-back takes approximately an hour to complete (though I recommend spending more time!). Anyone with a fair fitness level should be able to complete these treks.
3) Sealy Tarns Hike
The Sealy Tarns Hike is 3.3 miles and takes approximately 3 hours to complete, like the Hooker Valley Trek. However, unlike the Hooker Valley Trek, the Sealy Tarns hike is much more challenging, with a 1,700 ft elevation gain. Luckily, it isn’t a technically challenging hike. Still, it does require a decent fitness level and confidence in your hiking abilities.
The trail has a lot of steps (approximately 2200) and is steep. However, once you reach the freshwater lakes, the views of Mt. Cook and the valley are worth it! If you are trekking in summer, there are also beautiful alpine flowers along the way. Pack a lunch to enjoy your food at the top!
Note: The Sealy Tarns Hike goes through avalanche terrain. Only attempt this hike after checking the Avalanche Advisory beforehand.
4) Mueller Hut Hike
For the most intense hikers, check out the Mueller Hut Hike. The first part of this hike is the Sealy Tarns Hike outlined above, but instead of turning around at the tarns, you continue up to Mueller Hut. It is a 6-mile out-and-back and takes approximately 5.5 hours to complete.
The inclines are rugged and steep, so I recommend this hike for experienced adventurers. Do not attempt it if you are an average hiker (like myself). Mueller Hut is a rustic mountain hut that hikers can stay in overnight, and the views of peaks, glaciers, and the valley are breathtaking.
Note: Book well in advance to stay at Mueller Hut since spots can fill up quickly.
5) Stargazing
Did you know that Mt. Cook has one of the few Dark Sky Reserves in New Zealand (and the world)? A Dark Sky Reserve is an area surrounding a park or observatory that restricts artificial light pollution, allowing for stunning views of the stars in the night sky.
There are two ways to enjoy stargazing in Mt. Cook Village: book a tour or drive around to find a spot. Big Sky Stargazing tours from the Hermitage Hotel, where guests are shuttled to a base. As you gaze at the different celestial bodies, you will learn about them from an expert. Tickets are $139 NZD and tours last 75 – 90 minutes.
The other option is driving a short 5 minutes from the hotel area until you find a clear spot to enjoy the stars. This spot can be pretty much anywhere you can find parking – I went to the Hooker Valley Parking Lot, and the sky was mesmerizing. I recommend this option if you are trying to save on costs, want more privacy, and don’t care as much about learning about the different stars and constellations.
6) Kayaking Tasman Lake
Tasman Lake is a proglacial lake, and the highlight of the Tasman Lake Hikes mentioned above. Consider booking a kayaking tour to take your lake exploration a step further. I didn’t realize this was an option until I saw groups kayaking on the lake, and I regretted not booking in advance!
The lake is one of the most gorgeous blues I have seen, and kayakers can see views of Mt. Cook and icebergs on this tour. You will also explore some shoreline areas and can bring lunch. The tours cost NZD 295 and last between 4 to 6 hours.
Note: Unfortunately, these tours are not for beginner kayakers. The water is shockingly cold, so you do not want to fall in!
7) Heli-Hike
Another one of my favorite activities in New Zealand is heli-hiking on a glacier and exploring the icy landscapes! If kayaking doesn’t get you close enough to the Tasman Glacier, this activity definitely will. It costs 795 NZD per person and is worth every penny.
The heli-hike lasts approximately 3.5 hours, including the safety briefing, helicopter rides to and from the glacier, and a 2-hour hike on the glacier. If you have never hiked on a glacier, this is a magical experience. The terrain and crampons take a little getting used to (I looked like I was going to fall over with every step), but the experience of being surrounded by ice in all directions and seeing glacial formations was breathtaking. Anyone with a decent fitness level should be able to enjoy this activity.
Note: This activity is weather-dependent and often gets canceled due to high winds, so book it for the first day you are in Mt. Cook Village. If it gets canceled, you can move it to the next day.
8) Skydiving
For my true thrill-seekers, you can go skydiving near Mt. Cook! Skydiving Mt. Cook is the company that runs the skydiving activities, and they have different height options going up to a 15,000 ft fall (60 seconds).
The experience costs 499 NZD per person and takes approximately 2-3 hours over one of the most beautiful drop zones imaginable. I am a little too scared of this activity, so I didn’t try it, but people who have done it rave about it!
9) Get a Drink at Hermitage Hotel
After a long day of hiking and exploring, nothing is better than grabbing dinner and a drink at a hotel with a view. The Hermitage Hotel is the most upscale lodging in Mt. Cook Village. It has a beautiful bar and restaurant with panoramic views. You will likely need a reservation for the restaurant, but I could walk in and get a drink without a problem. The cocktails are creative, and the view is unbeatable!
10) Cozy Cabin Dinner
Though dinner at the Hermitage restaurant is a nice treat, one of my favorite things to do in Mt. Cook Village is to pop open a bottle of wine and enjoy a cooking night in the hotel. The Aoraki Mountain Lodge has a fully stocked kitchen, and the dining area is warm and inviting, with the perfect mountain lodge aesthetic. Look at the stars while enjoying a warm homemade meal after a long day while soaking up the cabin vibes!
No matter your chosen activities, you cannot go wrong with a few days in Mt. Cook Village! As a final tip, if the weather is terrible or you have extra time, check out the Sir Edmund Hillary Museum or the Planetarium!
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