Things to do in Mt. Cook Village

Top Things to Do in Mt. Cook Village

Things to Do in Mt. Cook Village


Top Attractions in Mt. Cook Village

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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
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What travellers are saying

  • Michelle S
    Auckland Central, New Zealand403 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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.
    Written 5 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Stephanie M
    Sechelt, Canada430 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We so often find the Visitors Centres in New Zealand to be full of information, interesting products and very helpful staff and the Mount Cook Visitors Centre certainly is all of this. There is also really interesting information about the area and the history of it. We recommend stopping in here when you visit Mount Cook area.
    Written 30 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mon C
    Auckland, New Zealand15 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is one of the best travel experiences I’ve had. The team are 100% professional in every way, and very kind…catering to all personalities and experience levels, and keeping everyone very safe.
    It’s a magical experience to carve tracks down a glacier, in the shadow of Aoraki.
    Thank you John, Dave and team.
    Written 18 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • AJ
    San Francisco, CA72 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning! We went early December. Starting a little after sunrise. The morning we went it was foggy, with low cloud cover. We went with the hopes of the sky clearing mid day. As the next days were set to rain and too risky for this track.

    We caught some clear fog reflections at Sealy Tarns. This first section is a pretty flat walk until you hit the stairs. And then it’s stairs, stairs, stairs. This took us about an hour.
    Hoping that the sky would clear up for us, we followed the others heading up to Mueller Hut. There was a decent stream of us working our way up, but still spaced out that you never felt too crowded. A good climb up to the hut. This section took us about an hour and a half. So about 2.5 hours total. We could hear the avalanches on the other mountain sides crashing down behind the fog. We took a nice break up at the hut to eat and relax. Thankfully the sky cleared and we got a mostly clear view of Mount Cook. Going from very little visibility to seeing the mountains around was magical. We rushed out of the hut to catch Mount Cook, the valley, and the snow capped mountains around. Now you could see the avalanches across the opposite valley coming down like waterfalls. Wow the views all around! We climbed a little up the rock scramble. Worth the extra effort. Spent a lovely couple hours up top enjoying. The walk down was even more incredible now that we could see and watch the views as we trekked down. We followed tracks left by others, and slid down a small part of the snow. So fun! Stopped back at the tarn now that the mountains were mostly clear with some clouds to catch the reflections. This is also a great refresh spot within the journey down.

    This is a very well marked trail. The first portion to Sealy Tarns is clear track and lots of stairs. The climb up to Mueller is well marked with orange marker poles. This section is more rock scramble, snow depending on time of year, and following orange pole markers. Beginning of December, a good number of day and overnight trampers were on the track. It never felt too crowded to us. Would recommend making time for Sealy and Mueller if you have it and enjoy longer, more challenging elevation gain views. Do go prepared with water, layers, snacks/lunch, sunscreen, good shoes for Mueller. We felt warm during the climb up even in the mild temps. Once you stop, you’ll want that layer! We found it doable as a day hike.
    Written 6 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Paul T
    Mount Gambier, Australia212 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lots of pictures and memorabilia. The movie are informative and tells you a lot of information about the Mount Cook and Mount Everest climbs.
    Written 19 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Philippa P
    97 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great walk, not for the unfit or faint hearted. Fabulous views from the tarns. A very very steep stepped walk.
    Written 14 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Larry R
    13 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We tackled this walk in a clockwise direction. Going this way it starts with a number of steps, some of which are a little high.
    The track is not the best-maintained track in the area but mostly it is gravelled.
    There's a good view over the township from the summit of the track,
    Written 3 March 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • JHMTTL
    Woodbine, MD1,609 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Big Sky Stargazing departs from the Mt. Cook Hermitage Hotel. You take a short bus ride to a nearby facility. There are two high-powered telescopes. You have the opportunity to use both telescopes to observe the heavens. I thoroughly enjoyed this activity. We were able to observe constellations that cannot be seen from the Northern hemisphere.
    Written 15 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • SKM
    Durban, South Africa362 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We opted for the helicopter ride with glacier landing. Our trip was fantastic. Andrew was amazing. We thoroughly enjoyed the views of the glaciers.
    We got to spend time on the landing, without being rushed. The weather was great. Highly recommended.
    Written 4 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • drc69
    Leeds, UK39 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Booked 9.45am trip on a morning that at the Hermitage started with heavy rain and low clouds but once we arrived in Tasman Valley it was much drier and the clouds higher which was a bonus. Once on the boat the trip was very good - the weather improved first of all to see some glimpses of the sun. The lake itself is much bigger than it looks and as a result the icebergs look small until you are up close to them. We saw some amazing sights aided by Toby and entertaining and informative guide for the trip. A really enjoyable morning on the lake.
    Written 6 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jenny J
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was one of our top experiences on our 20 day journey through NZ. It was a magical wonderland. I am a little older and not too tall. So when the other nine people arrived, all young and tall, I expressed to my guide Andy, my concern for not being able to keep up. He was understanding and quite experienced as he put me right behind him. He made me feel like i was his best friend as he made sure I was safe and was able to enjoy every minute without slowing the group down.

    Thank you to Andy and the entire Mt Cook group for this incredible experience.
    Written 2 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Garyandalison
    19 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Definitely one of the highlights of our tour of North and South Island. Helicopter ride over the Glentanner estate was unforgettable.
    We landed on a plateau and Brian our excellent guide led us on the 7 km of easy descent back to Glentanner Motorhome park.
    The walk had plenty of stops for conversations about the history of the area. The stop at the original(now restored) base camp illustrated well life in a bygone era. Definitely a 5 star experience.
    Written 19 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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