Top Aoraki Mount Cook (Mount Cook Village) Outdoor Activities

Located several hours from Queenstown by car and unreachable by public transport, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (part of Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area) can be tricky for travelers to reach. Cover the journey there and back on this small-group tour, stopping off at several scenic spots along the route, before free time to explore the national park at your leisure. Take a hike along one of its trails, unwind with a hot chocolate (own expense), or take in the dramatic scenery.

See a side of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park that few travelers experience on a full-day tour from Queenstown, which takes you off the main tourist route and through the dramatic Kawarau Gorge and Lindis Pass. Enjoy free time to explore Mount Cook independently—tackling the trails and snapping photos of New Zealand’s highest peak—then sit back and relax on the return journey.

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.

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 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.

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.

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!

Combine your journey from Aoraki Mount Cook to Christchurch with a sightseeing trip on this one-way half-way small-group city transfer tour. After hopping aboard the minibus in Aoraki Mount Cook, relax as you’re delivered to Christchurch while listening to facts and stories about local landmarks, stopping at Lake Tekapo to take in views of the turquoise waters.

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.

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.

-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.

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.

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.

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.

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!