The first time we saw Mt Cook at a distance is when we reached Lake Tekapo. It was breathtaking! With Lake Pukaki in the foreground, the views became even better. We did the Kea Point Track (hour-long return from Park Campground Parking) to get up-close views of the tallest peak in New Zealand. The Huddleston Glacier was also visible in the next mountain. It took us 3.5 hours to drive from Christchurch to Twizel, plus another hour (including stops for scenic views) to reach Mt Cook National Park. A visit to South Island without visiting Mt Cook will be incomplete. Highly recommend.

This is one place you have to visit. FREE ENTRY. Easy drive to site and large car park at Mount Cook reserve. Walk easily along the boardwalk path with some stairs. There are swing bridges which are very safe for families to use. The track is beautiful and the views breathtaking. When you reach the Mount Cook glacier lake, sit down and take time to have a picnic. Throw the melting ice back into the lakes. Climb up higher and sit on the rocks to get an unobstructed view of Mt Cook itself. Breathe in the fresh air. Heaven just showed up.

Mount Cook is 3,724m tall and is NZ’s highest mountain. It’s visible from a long way away (and definitely from Lake Tekapo) but the closer you get the better it looks! You get great views of the mountain on the road from Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook village and can also see it by plane or by helicopter. But a fabulous way to see it up close is to walk the Hooker Valley track (three hour out and back walk) which takes you to Hooker lake immediately below the mountain (see separate review page). Just majestic and stunning - not to be missed!

Fabulous. We stayed at the Alpine Lodge in the village which had a great view of Mount Cook from our bedroom window Immaculate shared kitchen with comfy seats. We walked the Hooker Valley Trail which was absolutely stunning. Crossing 3 swingbridges over rushing rivers, past waterfalls and lovely alpine plants and ending up at the frozen lake beneath the glaciers and Mount Cook and even had little icebergs in it.