Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• 45-Minute Mount Cook Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo Tour

• 45-Minute Glacier Highlights Helicopter Tour from Mount Cook

• 55-Minute Grand Circle Helicopter

• Mount Cook Day Tour from Queenstown

• 45-Minute Glacier Highlights Ski Plane Tour from Mount Cook

While it’s free to visit Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park, fees may apply for parking, campsites, and huts. Many travelers choose to explore the park with a guide, and full-day tours from Queenstown start at around US$120 per person, while helicopter tours over the park start at around US$250 per person.

Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park is easy to reach by car along State Highway 8, about a 3.5-hour drive from Queenstown and a 4.5-hour drive from Christchurch. While there’s no public transport that goes directly to the park, shuttle buses and guided tours often run from Christchurch and Queenstown.

The summer months of November through March are the most popular time to visit Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park, as the mild weather is ideal for hiking and camping, and the trails bloom with summer wildflowers. To avoid the crowds, consider the shoulder months of October and April.

Yes. Many travelers opt to explore Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park independently during the summer months, though winter activities are best undertaken with a guide. Popular hiking trails such as the Hooker Valley Track, Tasman Lake Track, and Hooker Hut are well-marked and easily accessible from Mt. Cook village or the Visitor Center.

Yes, Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park is a great choice for families that enjoy hiking and outdoor activities. There are plenty of short, family-friendly hikes—try the Tasman Glacier View Track for younger kids or the Hooker Valley Track for teens—and older children can enjoy more adventurous activities like glacier trekking.