Tasman Glacier by moonlight, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Aoraki/Mount Cook (70,696 hectares) is New Zealand's great alpine park. It has the highest mountains and the largest glaciers. Aoraki/Mount Cook village and all visitors to the park are dwarfed by the immensity of the landscape that surrounds them.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a rugged land of ice and rock, with 19 peaks over 3,000 metres including New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki/Mt Cook.
Walking, skiing, mountaineering and scenic flights are popular activities in and around Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Accommodation at Aoraki/Mount Cook village ranges from backpackers to luxury. There are 17 huts in the park, located mainly for mountaineering and requiring climbing skills to reach.
Alpine tramping is not for the inexperienced and weather conditions can be severe. Groups attempting trips must be properly equipped and well prepared.
Work out the risk in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park using the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale system (ATES) and Backcountry Avalanche Advisory (BAA).
Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park is the ideal case study area for students investigating the geography of the South Island glaciated high country.
This video introduces the Search and Rescue Alpine Rescue Team in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, who dedicate their working days to rescuing people off the dangerous Southern Alps.
Weather for Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
NZ weather
View the Journeys in National Parks: Westland / Aoraki on NZ on Screen
National Parks visitor statistics
Stop the spread of didymo
Check, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.
Follow the Outdoor Safety Code: 1. Plan your trip 2. Tell someone 3. Be aware of the weather 4. Know your limits 5. Take sufficient supplies