Top Aoraki Mount Cook (Mount Cook Village) Outdoor Activities

Hover above the Southern Alps on a spectacular helicopter ride that lets you see places you couldn’t otherwise access without expert mountaineering skills. Glide over Aoraki Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, and down the Tasman Glacier, then over to the West Coast for a glimpse of the famous Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier. Learn more about the mountains via helpful commentary from your pilot.

Gain up-close access to the remote alpine landscapes of the South Island on a premier helicopter flight. This 40-minute aerial tour from Aoraki/Mt. Cook Village soars above the Southern Alps and makes a snow landing atop Tasman Glacier, where you’ll enjoy prime views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. Back in the air, fly through the Burnett Mountains and marvel at the expansive Mackenzie Basin below.

Embark on an exhilarating adventure as you explore the majestic peaks and awe-inspiring valleys surrounding Aoraki / Mount Cook. Fly over the lower Tasman Glacier and soar above the Liebig mountain range, taking in the towering peaks of the Southern Alps. Make an alpine landing to take in the breathtaking panoramic views.

Enjoy New Zealand’s most stunning skydiving experience! Located in Pukaki and boasting some of the country’s most epic scenery. Skydive Mt Cook offers quintessential South Island views: snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes and Aorkai/Mt Cook National Park. Free fall from the best piece of sky this beautiful country has to offer. An authentic kiwi experience!

Experience a 35-minute scenic helicopter flight above the magnificent alpine landscape of Aoraki Mt. Cook and its surrounding peaks, and make a snow landing (weather dependent). You’ll soar above steep ridges and rise over a mountain pass that affords aerial views of the Ben Ohau Range. Step out and play in the snow before enjoying more expansive views down the Tasman Valley. Pilot narration on the sights is included.

Enjoy New Zealand’s most stunning skydiving experience! Located in Pukaki and boasting some of the country’s most epic scenery. Skydive Mt Cook offers quintessential South Island views: snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes and Aorkai/Mt Cook National Park. Free fall from the best piece of sky this beautiful country has to offer. An authentic kiwi experience!

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park on this unforgettable small-group adventure from Queenstown. Travel through spectacular South Island landscapes as your knowledgeable guide shares stories and insights along the way. Journey through dramatic alpine scenery including the rugged Kawarau Gorge and the sweeping views of Lindis Pass, with scenic stops at iconic locations such as the vibrant turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki. You may also visit local favourites like High Country Salmon and seasonal fruit stalls. At Mt Cook National Park, enjoy free time to explore this remarkable alpine environment. Walk to the Tasman Glacier lookout for panoramic views of New Zealand’s largest glacier, glacial lakes, and towering peaks. NOTE: The Hooker Valley Track is currently closed beyond Müller Lookout while the Department of Conservation replaces one of the bridges. This section still offers beautiful views, with the full track expected to reopen in Autumn 2026.

Mt Cook to Christchurch Small Group Tour Via Lake Tekapo (1 way), this small group, fully-guided transfer means you can travel in style while seeing all the key highlights along the way. Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety. While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, we believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, complimentary refreshments and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.

Enjoy New Zealand’s most stunning skydiving experience! Located in Pukaki and boasting some of the country’s most epic scenery. Skydive Mt Cook offers quintessential South Island views: snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes and Aorkai/Mt Cook National Park. Free fall from the best piece of sky this beautiful country has to offer. An authentic kiwi experience!

Experience the South Island’s mountain-filled vistas from both the ground and the sky on this half-day small-group tour. Board a helicopter and soar over the Southern Alps, taking in the dramatic mountainous scenery before heading for a hike through the Glentanner High Country, learning about the ancient glaciers that carved the region’s landscapes.

What better way to start your Alps to Ocean adventure than with a scenic flight through the Southern Alps to gain the perfect overview of the area! This Aoraki / Mount Cook scenic flight includes a helicopter flight along the entire length of the mighty Tasman Glacier. All our helicopter tours include a commentary from the pilot. They are passionate about their backyard and will show you the hidden treasures of the national park that only a local expert can. Fly the full length of the Haupapa/Tasman Glacier before landing to get a sense of its scale and grandeur. Once airborne again, we transfer you and your bike across the Tasman River to Rotten Tommy, the starting point of your cycle journey. If you would like to book just an A2O transfer, call our Aoraki Mount Cook office for trip and flight advice to make the most of your Aoraki adventure.

Experience the impressive Hochstetter Icefall on Aoraki / Mount Cook as it cascades down the mountainside. Explore the upper Tasman Glacier, with its neves and crevasses that have been formed over centuries. Make a spectacular glacier landing with breathtaking views of the 'Cloud Piercer' Aoraki / Mount Cook. Take in the expansive vistas of the Burnett Mountains and Mackenzie Basin.

-Road‑trip and photo shoot in one: Guests get to explore the region’s scenic highlights and have professional photos taken at each stop rather than staying in one location. -Dramatic alpine backdrops: Once in the national park, the session uses New Zealand’s highest mountains, glaciers and even the icebergs on Tasman Lake as backdrops. Very few visitors get personal photos in front of these sights. -Tailored timing and extras: The itinerary is flexible so that your photographer can adjust stops to catch golden‑hour light at Lake Pukaki or Tasman. If conditions allow, you may even be photographed under the stars or the Milky Way – a rare addition to a couples’ shoot! -Personalized, natural approach: As a private experience with your personal photographer, the experience stays relaxed. Gentle prompts help couples look natural in photos, and the end result is a unique gallery that blends their story with some of New Zealand’s most spectacular landscapes.

Journey over the mesmerizing Tasman Glacier Lake, taking in breathtaking views while following the path of the Tasman Glacier. Experience the grandeur of Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand's tallest peak and land on a pristine glacier. Traverse the majestic Southern Alps, crossing to the West Coast. Take in the spectacular scenery and witness the mighty Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers for the ultimate glacier experience.

Explore the Tasman Glacier with Mount Cook's longest-established mountain guiding company. Our professional mountain guides have been skiing the Tasman Glacier since the early 1970s and know the glacier better than anyone else. Enjoy the breathtaking views while they safely guide you down the only glacier accessible to intermediate skiers and backcountry novices in New Zealand.

Experience the thrill of a helicopter flight and alpine landing on a 20-minute scenic helicopter tour, departing from Aoraki/Mt. Cook Village. You’ll get sweeping views over the Ben Ohau Range before touching down on a landing site in the mountains (snow is seasonal). Enjoy this South Island alpine setting as your professional pilot narrates the vista from above.

Nestled against the stunning backdrop of the Southern Alps, the Twizel Petting Zoo offers a unique and interactive experience for animal lovers of all ages. Step into our peaceful farm environment and meet our incredibly friendly locals! From fluffy alpacas and curious sheep to gentle Tahr goat and gorgeous horses, our animals are waiting to be close to you. We provide a pack of feed so you can hand-feed your new furry friends. More than just a petting zoo, we are a place of connection and education, fostering a love for animals and the rural way of life. It’s the perfect stop to stretch your legs, enjoy a hands-on adventure, and create those special holiday moments. Our farm animals are very friendly so you can get great pictures with each of them.