Mt Cook - Aoraki
New Zealand’s tallest mountain is a must see on a trip to the south island. Despite it’s rugged and intimidating peaks looming over surrounding lakes, Mt Cook/Aoraki National park is a well maintained and accessible terrain with activities for amateur walkers and sightseers as well as more hard core trekking and climbing - even in the winter, there is something for everyone.
Mt Cook/Aoraki
Where: Located 4 hours south of Christchurch
Why: Sublime Views and manageable walks
Time: 1 day
How to get there
Highway 80 is the only road in or out to Mt Cook/Aoraki National park and Mt Cook Village. Skirting along the edge of the sublime blue Lake Pukaki, this is one of the most picturesque roads in the whole of New Zealand. From Christchurch it takes around 4.5 hours and we recommend you stop into the towns of Twizel or Tekapo for any supplies you may need before heading to the village as prices are at a premium. There is a small convenience store and coffee shop near the visitors centre if you do get stuck. We free camped on the eastern side of the Lake so we get up to the village early before our walk. In peak season you will struggle to get a park after 10am and even in winter we recommended getting up early to beat the crowds.
Lake Pukaki looking towards Mt Cook
Parked up in the Campervan and awoke to this
walks
There are a handful of walks starting from Aoraki/Mt Cook village that can be done in a day. We strongly recommend that you stop at the information centre before embarking on any walk. Even in good weather, regardless of season the national parks will let you know of any warnings on trails.
The three walks below are in order of difficulty/duration and all times and distances are for the full return walk.
Easy - 3km - 1 hour -
Kea Point track is a short walk starting from the car park at Hooker Valley Road. The track is well signed and you will walk the gravel path through sub-alpine grasses before a few mild inclines takes you to the wooden platform viewpoint. Views of Mount Sefton and Cook as well as Mueller Lake can be seen.
Moderate - 10km - 3 hours
Hooker Valley Track is one of the most popular walking tracks in the area and with good cause. The 5km path is well formed and only gains around 100m in elevation so is perfect for all ages and levels of fitness. We saw multiple families with kids under 5 doing the walk with no issues. Crossing three suspension bridges and meandering through the valley with stunning 360 views of the range you will end up at a small seating area and lookout at Hooker Lake where you get an up-close view of Mt Cook. Although 3 hours is the suggested time, we took a packed lunch and gave ourselves plenty of time for photos.
Difficult - 11km - 8 Hours
Mueller Hut Hike is definitely not for everyone and certainly not for all weather and seasons. The steep trail is marked by small orange triangles and gains a whopping 1050m in elevation over the 5.2 km up and you should allow yourself 4 hours to reach the top. There are facilities at the top including long drop toilets and the hut itself is equipped with gas hobs and potable water.During hiking season (Mid November to the end of April) bookings are mandatory and prices can be found on the Department of Conservations online booking portal. Outside of these dates the hut operates on a first come first served basis. There are 28 bunks in the hut. Expect the hut to be full and surrounded by tents in the peak and shoulder seasons.
Hooker Valley Track
Mt Cook is an unmissable part of New Zealand and should be on every travellers itinerary. As always with hiking, know your ability and never walk alone. Although these trails are well marked and maintained, always prepare for a weather change and carry food and water. We relied heavily on the Department of Conservation Website and its Visitor Offices throughout New Zealand for the most up to date and information and we recommend you do as well.