One of our iconic tourist spots – Mount Cook, breathtakingly beautiful scenery at every turn!

State Highway 80 leads to Aoraki/Mt Cook Village which is situated beside scenic Lake Pukaki and provides a comfortable base for alpine activities. Far from city lights, the stargazing here is amazing.

Mountaineers regard the area to be the best climbing region in Australasia, while for the less skilled there are plenty of mountain walks that lead to alpine tarns, herb fields and spectacular glacier views and possible encounters with cheeky kea (mountain parrots).

There is a great DOC camp close to the village with toilets and kitchen, this is a large and busy camp site with access to walks and a track to the village. No dogs allowed though as it is a national Park.

Aoraki / Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand. Until 2014, its height was officially listed as 3,754 metres, but new measurements have given a revised height of 3,724 metres (12,218 ft). It lies in the Southern Alps, the mountain range which runs the length of the South Island. A popular tourist destination, it is also a favourite challenge for mountain climbers. Aoraki / Mount Cook consists of three summits lying slightly south and east of the main divide, the Low Peak, Middle Peak and High Peak, with the Tasman Glacier to the east and the hooker Glacier to the West.

Mt Cook from the Lake Pukaki lookout.
 Mt Cook from the Lake Pukaki lookout.

Mount Cook looking across the Pukaki canal

Mount Cook form the other opposite side of the lake to the Pukaki Mt Cook road.

Had to jump out of the truck quickly to get this shot.

The view from one of the cafe’s at the Mount Cook Village The settlement is a tourist centre and base camp for the mountain. .

An interesting historic board along one of the many walks, this one next to Freda’s rock. Freda was the first woman to climb Mt Cook in 1910

 Freda’s Rock

The memorial to those who lost their lives on the National Park.

Apart from the high vis vest and sealed roads I can’t imagine this scene has changed much since photos were only taken in black and white.

A beautiful setting, great walks, majestic scenery, what more could you ask for? Check out my posts on our scenic flight to the Tasman Glacier and a drive up the Tasman Valley – all in the Mount Cook and Surrounds category.