Within the Southern Alps of new Zealand, Aoraki, or Mount Cook at over 12,000 feet (3,754m), is the highest New Zealand mountain and within the surrounding Aoraki National Park, there are over 140 mountains exceeding a height of 2000 metres.

Established 1953 as an alpine park which not only contains New Zealand's highest mountain Aoraki - Mt Cook, it also has the longest glacier. A focus for mountaineering, ski touring and scenic flights, the park is an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The Mount Cook and Westland National Parks have together been declared a world heritage area.

The mountain heights are strictly for experienced climbers and even then, there are frequent rescues and 2- 5 people dying every year from accidents or misadventure. So unless you are an experienced mountaineer, keep to the marked trails. As you see from the photo of Mt cook (above right & Mt Cook is the right peak) the huge cornices waiting to fall and sweep away anything in the path.

The Mt Cook National Park has an estimated average of 250,000 visitors per year, though as the park covers an area of approximately 70,011 hectares (or 270 square miles) so you are unlikely to feel crowded.

The Tasman Glacier is the longest glacier in the National Park, at 27 km (17 miles) long. Just a 15 minute walk from the car park will take you to the point (right) where this photo was taken, from the top of  terminal moraine there are fantastic views of the glacier, the glacier lake with it's floating icebergs, as well as Mt Cook and surrounding peaks.

Activities Include:

• Tramping
  For trampers, the Park has 18 huts available for accommodation. For more experienced trampers, but not yet climbers, the three most popular alpine routes are Mueller Hut, Ball Hut, the Copland Pass to Welcome Flat and it's hot thermal pools. Tramping Info

• Day Walks
  Even for the day visitor, the Tasman glacier view, glacier lake outfall and the Blue Lakes can all be seen in about 2 hours.
  From the village, the Kea point walk takes you almost to the sheer foot of Mt Sefton, (pictured right - Mt Cook Village is hidden in this photo.) where you also see the terminus of the Mueller and Hooker glaciers and there are other trails to explore.

• Nature study
  From stepping out from your car, you will see many unusual alpine plants.

• Glacier skiing in the winter

• Fishing

• Mountaineering

• A local bus tours hourly during the day.

• Play tennis

• Hunting by permit.

There are hundreds of unique native plants and some 40 bird species including the intelligent and colourful Kea (right) which will steal your picnic and vandalise your possessions if you leave them unattended.

The park has approximately 4000mm of rain which falls on average for 149 days every year with snow around the village for an average of 21 days every year.

Guided Trips:

• Alpine Guides operate a guided day walks within the National Park daily from November to March. They also run courses covering essential mountaineering skills with guided ascents of local peaks during the summer season.

• Kayaking

• Air Safari's and scenic flights which can land high up on the glacier where the engines are switched off so that you can experience the quiet solitude of the alpine vastness.

• The Helicopter Line offers flights so you can discover that the beauty of the Mount Cook National Park, glaciers and lakes which seen from above will create a lifetime memory.

• Customized heli-hiking adventures to discover unique aspects of the parks flora and fauna.

• Air services also operate from Tekapo and Twizel.

Mount Cook Village:
Is located near to the base of Mount Cook has quality accommodation at the Hermitage Hotel & Motels, the YHA hostel or camping. The park information centre has up to date information on all trails and activities and there are a couple cafes.

Getting There:

• The 322km drive from Christchurch to Mount Cook takes approximately 4-5 hours. The road to the village is sealed, and after leaving highway 1, the drive is spectacular.

• Air New Zealand offers services to Mount Cook from Christchurch and Queenstown.
  Phone 0800-737-000.

• Daily bus services with either Newman's or Great Sights coaches and The Cook Connection shuttle service

Accommodation:
There is a hotel, motels, hostel, camp sites with more accommodation available at nearby Tekapo or Twizel.

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