Do you have any idea how many people visit Mount Cook Daily?
Well, there are approximately 407,000 people visited the park every year.
But some people being confused while choosing Camp in Mt Cook. They have many options to choose but they want cheap and best.
That’s why we are discussing here the Best places for Camping in Mt Cook, New Zealand. Mount Cook is the most beautiful place for Camping. At the present time, the height of the mountain is 3,724 along with 23 peaks. It is a popular tourist destination, and it is located in the Southern Alps. The Mount Cook mountain is situated in the Mount Cook National Park, in the Canterbury region. World-class mountaineer with years of experience, love this place because of the Ultimate peaks of this mountain. A few things that make you a professional climber is, a bit of fitness, proper outdoor wear and sensing techniques of adventure. The most amazing things that you can do at MT cook are hiking, Breathtaking viewpoints and starry night sky and, etc. Mount Cook is the Highest Mountain in New Zealand.
How to Reach at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
There is a one-way road for In and out to visit the Mount Cook National Park is State Highway 80. This Highway is known for one of the most attractive and pleasant view on the south island. There are 2 towns nearly to this destination is Tekapo, which is 105km away and Twizel is 65km away. At these places, you can wait for some time and can fill your backpacks with food, water, and other necessary items and can refuel your vehicles.
Wherever you reach the Mount Cook National Park. you will see the most tremendous view. There’s a small village with few hotels, with a busy campsite ground. Here all the facilities will provide on the basis of first-come-first-serve. Here you can also buy from a small convenience store in the village. But the prices are literally very high.
Mount Cook Camping Sites
Tasman Glacier’s terminal lake
Dreaming of seeing a glacier in front of your eyes is everyone’s dream for once in a life. You can do it during your visit to Mount Cook Village. And walking towards the beautiful Tasman Glacier terminal lake will help you to see the exceptional views of the glacier and the mountains around the lake. You can see and touch icebergs of every shape and size and you can even taste ancient glacial crystals. So, Don’t miss this unique experience. And book your trip to this beautiful destination.
Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre is a set of 126 theatre and planetarium, which is totally unique in the world. It is a tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary, who is one of the world’s greatest explorers, for the Aoraki Mount Cook region and its people. When entering the theatre, you will find a small museum showcasing the history of the Mount Cook region and learn something more about the extraordinary place you’re visiting.
Mueller Hut
Mueller Hut comes in those places that hard to reach but, as soon as you reach up there, you can feel the every second of the way you walk to reach up there is probably worth it. The hut is a well-deserved place to rest and meet like-minded adventurers, relax whilst enjoying the impressive views, and have a great meal. apart from it. you can stay here overnight if you’re too tired to go back. you will probably make some friends and wake up in the early morning to see the most wonderful view you haven’t seen ever. how good it sounds to hear it?
Hooker Valley
The track leads up the Hooker Valley and along the Hooker River, ending at the glacier lake, where there are amazing views of Mount Cook on a clear day. In between the way, you will cross three swingbridges and encounter attractive icebergs, glaciers and majestic mountains that will have you reaching for your camera at every turn.
Kea Point
The Kea Point Track is the shorter walks in Mount Cook National Park that offers good views of Mount Sefton, Mueller Lake, and Mount Cook. Kea Point Track is one track that has the easiest trails you can do in Mount Cook National Park that offers nice mountain and lake views. At the end of the trail, there is a platform where you can stand and enjoy the attractive views of Mount Sefton, Mueller Lake, and Mount Cook.
Things to do or Activities in Mount Cook
A visit to Mt Cook National Park is an absolute must. Composed of a compelling combination of jagged peaks and glacial beauty, this is a place to discover a treasure trove of natural attractions. Here are some of the activities you can do on Mount Cook.
Hiking
The great thing about Mt Cook National Park is that it comprises loads of hiking opportunities for all fitness levels. Those peoples with a low-moderate level of fitness are spoiled for choice when it comes to short walks. Several trails are there around Mt Cook Village as well as easy hikes that will bring you nice and close to the park’s Tasman Glacier.
Mountain/Rock climbing
Climbing New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Mt Cook is a mountaineer’s practice passage. Sir Edmund Hillary himself made it his mission to scale the mountain before making history on Mt Everest. If you’ve got all the right information but don’t want to do things solo. then, local guides available for mountain and rock climbing expeditions across those unforgiving terrains.
Horse Riding
A horseback trek will make for a memorable experience. Depending on your chosen riding tour, you might get to see more of those stunning lupins to viewing the exquisite Southern Alps from a whole new perspective.
A boat tour of the magnificent Tasman Glacier
The terminal lake is famous for being one of a handful in the world to contain a cluster of floating icebergs – a phenomenon that has been brought about by the ice shelves naturally tearing from the glacier itself. With such a vast distance and interesting formations on show, it’s fair to say that boat tour is the perfect way to remember the beautiful glacier and the opaque blue waters that surround it.
Watch the sunset
At the end of the day, it’s the national park’s scenery that will make the trip one cherish forever. So, sit on the jagged shores and finish things off by watching the sun as it tucks itself away from the breath-taking alpine ranges you’ve been so diligently exploring on your travels.
Mount Cook Accommodation – Where To Stay And Why
As above mentioned, Mount Cook Village is a tiny place for the numbers of Visitors, visits each summer. And it is almost fully booked always in the hiking season. If you were late to book your Accommodation at Mount Cook Village. Then, Don’t worry. Here you will get the solution of your problem. As you all know above I told you that, there are 3 more small towns that were held at state highway 80. Which is near to the Mt Cook National Park. both the town are not much convenient, but still, a great place to stay and explore nature’s beauty.
Twizel Town
Twizel is a small and unknown town just outside of Mount Cook National Park. It only takes a 45-minute drive to Mount Cook and accommodation is much cheaper than in the park. In my opinion, it’s the second-best option if being close to the park is what matters most. Only after won’t get the accommodation at Mount Cook Village
If you are planning on spending most of your time in Mount Cook National Park then Twizel is a good option.
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo is another very popular place to visit on New Zealand’s South Island. This small town is situated on the edge of Lake Tekapo – arguably New Zealand’s most beautiful lake. From Mount Cook Village it takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive to Lake Tekapo. Apart from another destination, Twizel. There are plenty of amazing things you can do in Lake Tekapo such as swim in the lake, wander the lupins, visit the Church of the Good Shepard, etc. Lake Tekapo is just a stunning place to stay.
The issue with Lake Tekapo is that it is also popular as Mount Cook Village and in my opinion a stop on its own.
Omarama Town
There is one more option is available. where you can stop and can drive for an hour from Mount Cook village to reach the small town Omarama. Usually, this place is just to stop for fuel. This town is might close than Mount Cook from Lake Tekapo. Accommodation is also cheaper too. And you don’t have to book in advance. But be sure to book as soon as possible. This town also has its own attractions like- Omarama Hot Tubs. where you can take a private bath surrounding by nature and looking out at the beautiful Southern Alps.
Conclusion
All of the things above I have listed in my blog are possible to do in the winter as well as in summer also. However, there can be avalanche risks on tracks such as the Mueller Hut trail during the winter. So the best thing that you can do is check with the Department of Conservation about the current conditions and risks before you leave. And I recommend you to carry warm clothes, gloves, and a hat. The temperature in Mount Cook National Park is very cold in the winter.
Mount Cook National Park is such a special place in New Zealand. And many things you can do in Mount Cook. and all are really amazing in their own way and regardless of the ones you choose to do, I ensure that you love this amazing place and always remember the amazing time you spend. and will want to visit again sometime soon.
