MAKING MEMORIES IN MT COOK NATIONAL PARK
03 FEBRUARY 2024
Mount Cook National Park is one of the most beautiful places on this planet! It's in the heart of the Southern Alps in the South Island of New Zealand and is full of incredible hikes, snowy peaks in summer (and even more snow in winter!), native bush, glacier-fed alpine lakes, icebergs, kea parrots and it's even home to New Zealand's longest glacier - the Tasman Glacier. We love how there are snowy peaks and icebergs even in the middle of a hot summer - it means it's ideal to visit at any time of the year.
Most visitors come to Mt Cook to do one of the many walks and hikes in the national park, where the trails lead you to the most spectacular views , but it's not all walks and hikes here - to get to Mount Cook National Park, you first had to drive past New Zealand's bluest lake, Lake Pukaki, which is a great place to chill and take photos of, plus there's the lavender farm which serves THE BEST ice creams in the summer. If it's a rainy day, then the Hermitage offers a place to put your feet up, have some food and drink, and walk around a small museum.
All of the walks and hikes below are ones we have done as a family and the girls were 5 and 9 when we did the majority of these, so you can see it's absolutely possible to do them with kids.
Most visitors come to Mt Cook to do one of the many walks and hikes in the national park, where the trails lead you to the most spectacular views , but it's not all walks and hikes here - to get to Mount Cook National Park, you first had to drive past New Zealand's bluest lake, Lake Pukaki, which is a great place to chill and take photos of, plus there's the lavender farm which serves THE BEST ice creams in the summer. If it's a rainy day, then the Hermitage offers a place to put your feet up, have some food and drink, and walk around a small museum.
All of the walks and hikes below are ones we have done as a family and the girls were 5 and 9 when we did the majority of these, so you can see it's absolutely possible to do them with kids.
Enjoy The Mt Cook Road
This is one of the best drives in New Zealand, mainly because of the majestic Southern Alps towering over you as you drive through them. It's hard to capture the true size of the mountains in photos but when you drive through, you feel so dwarfed by them! The first time we drove to Mt Cook, we were in absolute awe as Lath and I both lived in Auckland in the North Island most of our lives and there is nothing that even comes closed to Mt Cook National Park up there.
There are so many places to stop along Mt Cook Road. Some viewpoints are sign posted and have big carparks while others are a small bay with enough room for a couple of cars to pull over and aren't signposted.
Most people focus on taking photos of Mt Cook which I tooootally get but there are so many beautiful areas to photograph that aren't just Mt Cook.... just look around!
There are so many places to stop along Mt Cook Road. Some viewpoints are sign posted and have big carparks while others are a small bay with enough room for a couple of cars to pull over and aren't signposted.
Most people focus on taking photos of Mt Cook which I tooootally get but there are so many beautiful areas to photograph that aren't just Mt Cook.... just look around!
Kea Point Track
Not only are the views of the Southern Alps and Mueller Glacier Lake absolutely incredible from the Kea Point Track, but the opportunity to spot the cheeky and curious kea bird makes it pretty exciting too (we haven't seen one yet, but fingers crossed for next time).
You won't need to train for a marathon or pack a tent to do this track, all you need is a pair of good walking shoes and a camera to capture the breathtaking views. For all you parents out there, this is the perfect hike to take the kids on as it's a relatively short walk with loads of snow on the mountains for the kids to get excited over (or possibly on the trail in winter!)
The Kea Point Track offers a perfect combination of stunning views and wild encounters, making it the perfect short and sweet adventure. Just don't blame us if you end up staying longer than expected, because trust us, you won't want to leave!!
You won't need to train for a marathon or pack a tent to do this track, all you need is a pair of good walking shoes and a camera to capture the breathtaking views. For all you parents out there, this is the perfect hike to take the kids on as it's a relatively short walk with loads of snow on the mountains for the kids to get excited over (or possibly on the trail in winter!)
The Kea Point Track offers a perfect combination of stunning views and wild encounters, making it the perfect short and sweet adventure. Just don't blame us if you end up staying longer than expected, because trust us, you won't want to leave!!
Hooker Valley Track
The walk to Hooker Valley Track is a must-do for anyone visiting the Mt Cook National Park (seriously, doooo iiiiit!). It takes around 3 hours return, and the ease of the walk combined with the breathtaking views of glacial lakes, snowy peaks and the Hooker River make it a perfect hike for families. The added bonus of avalanches on Mt Sefton makes the experience all the more exciting - we have seen and heard quite a few each time we're near Mt Sefton and it sounds like a truck crashing, it's sooooo loud!
We recommend doing this track first thing in the morning, or towards sunset, especially in summer where the heat can be intense and there isn't any shelter along the track (apart from the odd shrub!). It's also better for photography in low light and although we started at 8:30am in summer, the sun was very glary in my photos on the return walk. It will also mean less human traffic along the way in summer as it can get buuuusyyyy.
So, pack your hiking boots and a camera, and head out to experience this natural wonder for yourself!
We recommend doing this track first thing in the morning, or towards sunset, especially in summer where the heat can be intense and there isn't any shelter along the track (apart from the odd shrub!). It's also better for photography in low light and although we started at 8:30am in summer, the sun was very glary in my photos on the return walk. It will also mean less human traffic along the way in summer as it can get buuuusyyyy.
So, pack your hiking boots and a camera, and head out to experience this natural wonder for yourself!
Tasman Glacier View Track
Not only will you get a great workout climbing the stairs on this track, but you'll be rewarded with some of the most incredible views you'll ever lay your eyes on. From the top, you'll be able to see icebergs floating in the lake, even during the summer months, and the real star of the show - the Tasman Glacier. So put on your hiking shoes, grab your camera, and get ready to knock your socks off (just make sure to put them back on before you start going back down the stairs... you don't want to get blisters). It's a great short walk (30-minutes return) in the Mount Cook National Park and a walk the whole family will enjoy.
Tasman Lake Track
This is a fantastic walk in the Mt Cook National Park, with incredible views that will blow you away and a pretty lake filled with icebergs. This track gives you the opportunity to walk amongst giants (the Southern Alps) and see the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's longest glacier. It takes just under an hour return which is a nice short walk for families and we loved how it was such a short walk to get to incredible views within a short space of time. If you're wanting to do the Hooker Valley Track but are short on time, then this track is the perfect alternative!
Red Tarns Track
This is the most underrated track in the Mt Cook National Park (in my opinion) and it offers some of the best views across the park. It's an easier climb than the Sealy Tarns track (which is high on our list to do!) and the Mueller Hut track (this one carries on from the Sealy Tarns track and is also on our list), which also has very similar views.
We love how this is just a 2-hour return hike, yet the views look like those from a hike that takes half a day! The red tarns are really pretty and if you're lucky enough, the wind will be still and you'll get a beautiful reflection of Mt Cook in the water.
We love how this is just a 2-hour return hike, yet the views look like those from a hike that takes half a day! The red tarns are really pretty and if you're lucky enough, the wind will be still and you'll get a beautiful reflection of Mt Cook in the water.
Hermitage Hotel
You don't have to be a guest to visit the Hermitage Hotel... but we highly recommend it! We have stayed on the top floor and had the most incredible views across the national park. We also enjoyed an amazing buffet dinner in the restaurant which has equally impressive views and some of the most delicious food we've had at a restaurant.
The hotel also has a cafe which serve cabinet food, hot and cold drinks, alcohol and a hot food menu. The food here isn't the cheapest (but what tourist town has cheap prices?) but the view makes up for it! There are tables and chairs inside and out and the cafe is huge, so you have so much space to relax in. There is a tv at the back of the cafe that's usually playing something for kids and there is a small chalk board and playhouse.
Downstairs from the cafe is the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre which is a small museum dedicated to the life and legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary, the famous New Zealand mountaineer and philanthropist. The center has interactive exhibits and films that tell the story of Sir Edmund Hillary's life, from his early days in New Zealand to his pioneering achievements in climbing and exploration, such as becoming the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest (or was it Tenzing?Hmmm). The center also showcases artifacts from Sir Edmund Hillary's expeditions, including equipment and photographs. There's also a 3D theater that takes you on a virtual reality journey to the top of Mount Everest. It's the only thing in the Mount Cook National Park that's rainy-day worthy, so if the weather is poop or you're sick of the sunshine (said no one ever), it's a great place for everyone to enjoy and do something interesting. There is an entrance fee to enter.
I have to mention the elevator in the Hermitage as it's all glass and is soooo much fun to ride up and down on to see the view! I usually hate elevators but I don't mind going in this one.
The hotel also has a cafe which serve cabinet food, hot and cold drinks, alcohol and a hot food menu. The food here isn't the cheapest (but what tourist town has cheap prices?) but the view makes up for it! There are tables and chairs inside and out and the cafe is huge, so you have so much space to relax in. There is a tv at the back of the cafe that's usually playing something for kids and there is a small chalk board and playhouse.
Downstairs from the cafe is the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre which is a small museum dedicated to the life and legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary, the famous New Zealand mountaineer and philanthropist. The center has interactive exhibits and films that tell the story of Sir Edmund Hillary's life, from his early days in New Zealand to his pioneering achievements in climbing and exploration, such as becoming the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest (or was it Tenzing?Hmmm). The center also showcases artifacts from Sir Edmund Hillary's expeditions, including equipment and photographs. There's also a 3D theater that takes you on a virtual reality journey to the top of Mount Everest. It's the only thing in the Mount Cook National Park that's rainy-day worthy, so if the weather is poop or you're sick of the sunshine (said no one ever), it's a great place for everyone to enjoy and do something interesting. There is an entrance fee to enter.
I have to mention the elevator in the Hermitage as it's all glass and is soooo much fun to ride up and down on to see the view! I usually hate elevators but I don't mind going in this one.
Alpine Lavender
Between the start of December and end of March, the NZ Alpine Lavender Farm is open to the public to enjoy the lavender fields. They're along the main highway to Mt Cook National Park. The lavender bloom more in January and this is when it really becomes vibrant. There is a $5 entry fee for adults to enter the fields and it's worth the small cost to take some cool pics in the field. There is a swing set, chairs amongst the rows of lavender, lace umbrellas, a tractor, cart and loads of bikes all available to use once you're inside the field.
The ice cream here is soooo damn good! It's all lavender ice cream and frozen yoghurt, with our favourite being the lavender and honey comb ice cream that has bee pollen sprinkles on top... it's SO good! I have recommended the ice cream to loads of people heading to Mt Cook and they are always glad they stopped in and had one!
The ice cream here is soooo damn good! It's all lavender ice cream and frozen yoghurt, with our favourite being the lavender and honey comb ice cream that has bee pollen sprinkles on top... it's SO good! I have recommended the ice cream to loads of people heading to Mt Cook and they are always glad they stopped in and had one!
Lake Pukaki
Lake Pukaki is New Zealand's bluest lake and driving past it on the way to Mt Cook National Park is always such a treat. Some days are bluer than others and when it's blue, it's blue, especially on a sunny day. It can offer a beautiful reflection of Mt Cook on a still day, but we have yet to see the lake still!
There are so many spots along Lake Pukaki to stop at for photos of the lake and Mt Cook but also to park up and chill for a couple of hours. The lake is huge and there seem to be countless small tracks heading down to the lake that seem really quiet most of the time. We have seen a few people swimming here but I'm not sure how warm it is... if it's anything like Lake Tekapo that's 30-minutes away then it will be freezing, even in the middle of summer! There are also aa few freedom camping spots along the lake for those with self-contained vehicles.
In winter, you'll be greeted with golden grass and trees as well as the possibility of snow to play in - yay!
There are so many spots along Lake Pukaki to stop at for photos of the lake and Mt Cook but also to park up and chill for a couple of hours. The lake is huge and there seem to be countless small tracks heading down to the lake that seem really quiet most of the time. We have seen a few people swimming here but I'm not sure how warm it is... if it's anything like Lake Tekapo that's 30-minutes away then it will be freezing, even in the middle of summer! There are also aa few freedom camping spots along the lake for those with self-contained vehicles.
In winter, you'll be greeted with golden grass and trees as well as the possibility of snow to play in - yay!
More to do in New Zealand
LAKE TE ANAU
SOUTHLAND A serene jewel nestled in New Zealand's South Island, enchanting visitors with its mirror-like waters and breathtaking alpine surroundings.
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MONKEY BAY
MARLBOROUGH Find some of the most beautiful gemstones and rocks in the rolling waves and explore the caves at the beach and beyond.
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OMARAMA CLAY CLIFFS
CANTERBURY This walk will you make you feel like you're on another planet! You can either explore near the entrance or go deeper into the cliffs.
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