Mount Cook National Park it’s home to the tallest mountain of New Zealand, and a trip there is a must-do while in the country. You can choose either to stay inside the Park (the accommodation options are limited) or to base yourself on the surrounding areas where there’s plenty of choice and a lot of things to do and see as well. We’ve booked this amazing space through Airbnb, but if you’re planning on spending more than a day exploring Mt Cook, you should probably stay closer to it, like in Twizzel or Pukaki.
Hikes in mt. cook
You probably saw this one coming, am I right? Mount Cook National Park trails can keep you busy for a few days, but as we are sure you won’t have the time (neither the legs) for all of them, start by the popular Hooker Valley Track. It takes around 3 hours roundtrip to complete and will take you to the Hooker Glacial Lake through an incredibly scenic path, which even includes 3 suspension bridges along the way. The 10 kilometers are very easy to hike, and the only con will be the high number of people who will have the same idea as you.
Another great choice would be the Tasman Glacier Lookout trail that only takes 1-hour roundtrip and promises outstanding views.
If you prefer to take your adventure to the next level, climb to the picturesque Muller Hut and stay for the night. Just remember to book well in advance and to prepare your legs for the steep, but so worth it, track.
explore Lake Tekapo
We’ve spent a whole day walking around in this little village. With the breathtaking lake as the background, slow it down and take your time to enjoy this place. Start by taking a stroll along the lake to properly observe its icy blue color and walk until the lovely Church of the Good Sheperd. Decide to either drive or walk (3h loop) to Mount John and order a delicious sweet from the cafe on top. If this is not enough, you can opt to relax on Tekapo Springs or join a Star Gazing tour provided by the Dark Sky Project: although quite expensive, we were considering it until we realized there were no slots left for that day. If this is something you really want to do, buy your tickets in advance!
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