Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park lies in the South Island of New Zealand, close to the town of Twizel.
Aoraki situated in the South Island of New Zealand is at the very south tip of the country, about two hours north of Auckland City. It is an island nation made up of the remote and wonderful Island of New Zealand and the smaller Cook Islands.
Aoraki / Mount Cook is New Zealand’s tallest mountain, and its capital city of Mt Maunganui, located on the south west coast of the North Island. The beautiful towns of the southern island are also quite attractive places to visit.
Aoraki was chosen as one of the top three destination cities by Travel NZ in their book, Traveling to the South Island of New Zealand. It is ranked as the number one summer holiday destination in the world according to Trip Advisor.
This wonderful part of the country is at high altitudes, where spectacular scenery abounds. It’s also a popular international bushwalking destination in summer. There are plenty of walking tracks through the bush, with views of the amazing mountain ranges, glaciers, waterfalls, and geothermal pools.
The area is known for its variety in flora and fauna, with its unique flora and fauna consisting mainly of flowering trees. The oak tree, which is native to the area, is endemic to the country, growing throughout the wet and snowy seasons.
The Cook islands are home to many unique wildlife including, kiwi, flightless parrots, alpine moths, unique handling birds, tuatara birds, and much more. There’s more to learn about the unique flora and fauna of New Zealand by going on a guided tour in the national park!
About the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park lies in the South Island of New Zealand in the Bay of Plenty region. The largest national park in New Zealand and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, it is also one of the most remote.
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park can be accessed by road and by rail from Christchurch, the main city, while trips can also be made by car or plane to the adjacent Marlborough Sounds region. Aoraki means “mount Cook”.
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park encompasses more than 4000 square kilometers of pure alpine terrain. Most of the park is mountainous and has low ridges that stretch from the coastline to the hills of Blenheim and Tekapo.
In addition, there are beautiful gullies and forests of heather and brush along steep slopes. The majority of the park’s vegetation comes from high on the mountainside, while trees and bushes grow sparsely on the valley floors. The main animal inhabitants are birds, such as alpine pigeons, wrens, cuckoo, kiwi, fairy penguins and even black-cheeked birds like pan-birds and kaka.
It’s also possible to reach the park by car, coach, bus or train. However, the easiest way to get to the best part of Aoraki / Cook New Zealand travel holiday is to take a tram from Christchurch, which leaves the city at the International Settlement embankment, or from Mt Cook (Mt Cook station) via Inter Island Ferries.
Aoraki / Cook national park is an extremely popular tourist destination, with plenty of accommodations and local hiking trails to suit every taste.
Hiking
The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park has a network of trails for walking and biking. These routes start from the valley floor and take you through beautiful meadows and mountain peaks.
The Tauranga region on the western shores of the North Island also has some stunning bushwalking tracks, as do parts of the South Island and the Te Anau area.
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park offers hiking trails suitable for all levels of fitness, and there is an excellent range of walking tracks for all abilities. Most tracks offer a mix of old growth forests and open plains, making it suitable for both beginner and experienced hikers.
Hiking in New Zealand is a very popular pastime, and finding the right track to match your needs is essential. There are many options available to suit all tastes and budgets, and Aoraki Mount Cook makes a great base or starting point for many hiking trips.