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Aoraki Mt Cook, New ZealandAoraki Mt Cook - Scenic Highlights

Aoraki Mt Cook | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History

Aoraki Mt Cook features high mountains with large scree slopes are a major landscape feature, along with wide braided rivers, steep gorges and native forest.

Aoraki Mt Cook Scenic Highlights Overview

For an amazing scenic experience don't look past Aoraki Mt Cook. The boundaries of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park encircle New Zealand's highest mountains and largest glaciers. Not far from the national park is Lake Tekapo, a remarkable turquoise coloured lake framed by the majesty of the Southern Alps.

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Aoraki Mt Cook National Park

With glaciers covering 40 percent of the breathtaking Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, Aoraki Mt Cook National Park is a fantasy land of ice and rock.

Aoraki Mt Cook National Park has 19 peaks over 3,000 metres high and is home to New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook. The park is also part of Te Wahipounamu—South Westland World Heritage Area—in recognition of its outstanding natural value.

From Twizel a sealed road leads right into the Park. Mount Cook Village lies at the end of the road, just below the terminals of the Hooker and Mueller Glaciers.

Accommodation at Mount Cook Village ranges from backpackers lodges through to luxury accommodation. There are 17 huts in the park. Most are located for mountaineering use and visitors need climbing skills to reach them.

» Aoraki Mt Cook National Park Information

» Aoraki Mt Cook Travel Directory

Seek the Perfect Peace and Tranquility of Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is about two and a half to three hours drive south-west of Christchurch. The township faces north across the remarkable turquoise coloured lake to the mountainous drama of the Southern Alps.

Photographer: Ron Laughlin. Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Canterbury, New Zealand
Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mt Cook
Photographer: Ron Laughlin

Lake Tekapo is given its intense milky-turquoise hue by fine rock-flour, dust ground by glacial movement and held in suspension by the lake's waters. In this majestic and peaceful setting, relaxation and leisurely strolls might be your highest priority. An obvious short walk is to the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, where the altar window frames a perfect view of the Alps.

Close by is the 'sheepdog monument'—a bronze statue sculpted to recognise the district's debt to the sheepdog 'without the help of which the grazing of the mountainous country would be impossible'.

In season Lake Tekapo, and more particularly its smaller neighbours, Lakes Alexandrina, McGregor and Conway, provide good fishing for brown and rainbow trout. In winter the township is host to the visitors who come to enjoy Tekapo's nearby skifield.

» Lake Tekapo Information

» Lake Tekapo Travel Directory

Inland Scenic Route 72

The Inland Scenic Route 72 is perfect for the traveller who likes to get off the main highways. Take an alternative route from Christchurch to Methven and Queenstown. You can pick up a guide for the Inland Scenic route at a Visitor Information Centre.

Useful Aoraki Mt Cook Links

To help plan your Aoraki Mt Cook holiday choose from the main categories below

Aoraki/Mt Cook Region Information

Aoraki/Mt Cook Tourism Operators

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Mainstay New Zealand Hotels

Mainstay NZ Hotels

Large collection of independent hotels.

Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels

Holiday packages for any occasion.

Hawkdun Rise

Hawkdun Rise

Boutique vineyard-stay near the town of Alexandra.

Featured
 
Mainstay New Zealand Hotels

Mainstay NZ Hotels

Large collection of independent hotels.

Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels

Holiday packages for any occasion.

Hawkdun Rise

Hawkdun Rise

Boutique vineyard-stay near the town of Alexandra.