Aoraki Mount Cook Guide

Standing 3754m (12,316ft) high, Aoraki Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand. The mountain, which attracts climbers from all over the world to its snow-covered peaks, stands in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, on New Zealand’s South Island. Aoraki means ‘Cloud Piercer’ in Maori and the mountain is so called due to its breathtaking peaks which tower high above the clouds. The national park, which was formally declared in 1953, covers an area of 70,111 hectares (173,251 acres). There are regular guided tours from Mount Cook to the Tasman Glacier, which, at 27km (17 miles) long, 3km (1.9 miles) wide and 600m (1968ft) deep, is New Zealand’s largest glacier. Other highlights include the smaller Hooker Glacier, Murchison Glacier Mount Tasman and Mount Dampier. Outdoor activities include helicopter rides, alpine flights, horse trekking, hunting and fishing, mountain biking and hiking through the mountains.

Mackenzie Tourism and Development Board, Lake Pukaki Visitor Centre, State Highway 8, PO Box 68, Twizel, New Zealand
Tel: (03) 435 3280
Website: www.mtcook.org.nz

Air: Christchurch International Airport, Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport (domestic flights); there are regular shuttle buses from Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport throughout the Mackenzie region. Road: Bus: Public services.

Tourism New Zealand
PO Box 95, Wellington, New Zealand
Tel: (04) 917 5400. Fax: (04) 915 3817.
Website: www.purenz.com or www.tourisminfo.govt.nz
Administrative headquarters only. Trade and consumer enquiries should be directed to TNZ’s branches around the world.
Tourism New Zealand
New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4TQ, UK
Tel: (020) 7930 1662 or (09069) 101 010 (recorded information line; calls cost £1 per minute). Fax: (020) 7839 8929. E-mail: enquiries@nztb.govt.nz
Website: www.purenz.com (consumer information) or www.tourisminfo.govt.nz (trade information).

New Zealand