Mount Cook & Mackenzie

Things to Do in Mount Cook & Mackenzie

This is an incredibly scenic place of blue glacial lakes and tussock-clad hills, lorded over by Aoraki Mount Cook – New Zealand’s tallest mountain. Get close to the mountain with a visit to Mount Cook Village, a hiking expedition in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, or a flight-seeing adventure. Further east, small towns offer a slice of rural life. Spend your days fishing, hiking, and skiing (during winter), and your nights stargazing or soaking in a hot pool.

Mackenzie Country

Mackenzie Country is a spectacularly beautiful region of blue lakes, rolling hills, and soaring mountains. Iconic Aoraki Mount Cook, the tallest peak in Australasia, watches over the area, and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park contains numerous glaciers, including the immense Tasman Glacier with its remarkable glacier lake.

You´ll ❤️ these great things to see & do…

  • Take a flight-seeing trip over the mountain peaks
  • Hike in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
  • Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
  • Go mountain biking on one of the region’s many trails
  • Ski or snowboard during winter months
  • Stargaze under clear skies at Mount John Observatory

Useful Mount Cook & Mackenzie Resources


All South Island Regions

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Find Your Perfect Activity

Dark Sky Summit Experience at Mt John Observatory

Lake Tekapo Nature Family & Kids

1 hour 45 minutes

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Touch the Stars: The Ultimate Dark Sky Summit Experience If you want to witness the universe in its purest form, the Dark Sky Summit Experience at Mount John is an unmissable adventure. Located at an impressive altitude of 1,029 meters, Mount John offers unrivaled 360-degree views across the Mackenzie Basin. Most importantly, this site sits

Cass Valley Backcountry Tour, Mackenzie Country

Lake Tekapo Off-road Driving

3 hours

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Rugged Beauty: Your Cass Valley Backcountry Tour Guide If you want an authentic off-road adventure, the Cass Valley Backcountry Tour offers an unforgettable journey into New Zealand’s high country. This three-hour guided 4WD experience departs from Tekapo township and takes you deep into the alpine wilderness. Specifically, you will enjoy private entry to remote areas,

Braemar Station Mt Cook Tour

Departing from Tekapo township Off-road Driving Nature

3 hours

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

High Country Heritage: The Braemar Station Backcountry Experience If you want to witness the most breathtaking vistas in New Zealand, our scenic 4WD guided tour through Braemar Station is an absolute must. This three-hour backcountry experience departs from Tekapo township and takes you deep into a stunning alpine wilderness. Specifically, you will enjoy exclusive private

Alpine Vista Scenic Helicopter Flight

departs from Glentanner Park helicopter base Active & Adventure Scenic Flights

20 minutes

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Witness the Southern Alps: A Guide to the Alpine Vista Scenic Helicopter Flight If you want a bird’s-eye view of New Zealand’s high country, book the Alpine Vista Scenic Helicopter Flight. This tour is perfect for travelers who want to see majestic snow-capped peaks. It offers the excitement of a helicopter flight in a short,

Tasman Glacier Heli Hike

departing from Mt Cook Airport Active & Adventure

3 hours

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

The Ultimate Guide to a Tasman Glacier Heli Hike A Tasman Glacier Heli Hike is the most exhilarating way to explore the crown jewel of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Your adventure begins at the Mount Cook Airport, where you board a helicopter for a spectacular flight. From the moment you take off, you will soar

Dark Sky Experience Tekapo

Tekapo Heritage & Art Family & Kids

45 minutes

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Explore the Universe: The Ultimate Dark Sky Experience Tekapo Are you ready to embark on a journey 13.8 billion years in the making? If so, you must visit the heart of the Mackenzie Basin for a world-class encounter with the cosmos. The Dark Sky Experience Tekapo offers a treat for the senses by bringing science

Tekapo Springs – Lake Tekapo

Tekapo Springs Active & Adventure

Half Day Tour

Price:Included in your tour package

The Ultimate Escape: Discovering Tekapo Springs Lake Tekapo If you are traveling through the heart of the South Island, Tekapo Springs Lake Tekapo offers a world-class destination that combines relaxation with high-energy fun. This facility sits at the foot of Mt. John and provides some of the most breathtaking views of the Mackenzie region. Because

Sir Edmond Hilary Alpine Centre

Mt Cook Village Heritage & Art Museums Family & Kids

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre: Aoraki Mount Cook’s Premier Museum & Planetarium The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre is a world‑class tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary — humanitarian, ambassador, and one of the greatest explorers in history. Located within the majestic Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, the centre celebrates the region’s mountaineering heritage, its people, and

Glacier Explorer

Depart from Mount Cook Village Active & Adventure Boat Cruises & Water Activities

2.5 hours

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Explore Glaciers Like Never Before with Glacier Explorers New Zealand Looking for a truly magical alpine adventure? Glacier Explorers New Zealand takes you deep into the Tasman Valley for an unforgettable combination of bus travel, alpine walking, and boat touring near the base of Mount Cook. Journey from Mount Cook Village Your adventure begins with

Church of the Good Shepherd Tour

Lake Tekapo Nature Family & Kids

Half Day Tour

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

A Timeless Icon: Why You Need a Church of the Good Shepherd Tour If you have ever scrolled through photos of New Zealand, you have likely seen a small, solitary stone chapel sitting against a backdrop of impossibly blue water. This is the beautiful Church of the Good Shepherd Tour site, located on the shores