Aoraki/Mount Cook and Surrounds Walks
Experience spectacular sub-alpine scenery, abundant bird life and lovely views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki on the following tracks.
Governors Bush Walk
Abundant birdlife particularly fantail and kea. Good viewpoint of the mountains. A great walk for children as it is a good place for them to run around in a natural environment.
Walk level:
Walking and Tramping
Duration of walk:
45 minutes.
Start location:
Turn off State Highway 8 at Lake Pukaki onto State Highway 80. This walk starts and finishes at the public shelter at Aoraki/Mount Cook village.
Kea Point Walk
Sub-alpine grasslands. A viewing deck that gives stunning views on a clear day of Mt Sefton and Footstool, the Hooker Valley, Mueller Glacier Lake and Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Walk level:
Walking and Tramping
Duration of walk:
1 hour.
Start location:
Turn off State Highway 8 at Lake Pukaki onto State Highway 80. This walk starts at the White Horse Hill campground and car park, just beyond Aoraki/Mount Cook village.
Glencoe Walk
A birds-eye view of the village and beyond to the white ice of the Hooker Glacier and Aoraki/Mount Cook. Sunrise and sunset are good times to catch light-play on the mountains.
Walk level:
Easy walking track
Duration of walk:
30 minutes.
Start location:
Turn off State Highway 8 at Lake Pukaki onto State Highway 80. This walk starts and finishes behind The Hermitage Hotel in Aoraki/Mount Cook village.
Hooker Valley Track
A great viewpoint at the Alpine Memorial. Enjoy three swing bridge crossings. The walk ends at the glacier lake where there are amazing views of Aoraki/Mount Cook, the Hooker Glacier and the Southern Alps.
Walk level:
Easy walking track
What you need to know:
Well maintained track and relatively flat.
Three exciting swing bridge crossings.
The track ends at the Hooker Glacier terminal lake which often freezes over in winter.
Duration of walk:
Up to 4 hours.
Start location:
Turn off State Highway 8 at Lake Pukaki onto State Highway 80. Begin at the Visitor Centre, or White Horse Hill Campground and car park.
Lake Pukaki Walks - Pukaki Kettlehole Track
Spectacular views out over Lake Pukaki and the Mackenzie basin. Pop into the salmon shop after your walk, which is just a minute’s drive down State Highway 8!
Walk level:
Short level
Duration of walk:
1 hour.
Start location:
This walk starts just east of the Pukaki River Spillway. It is signposted off the southern side of State Highway 8 and there is a designated car parking area.
Pukaki Boulders
The boulders are glacial erratic deposited by the Tasman Glacier over 10,000 years ago. Lovely views out over Lake Pukaki.
Walk level:
Short walk
Duration of walk:
10 minutes.
Start location:
From State Highway 8, turn up Highway 80 (towards Aoraki/Mount Cook). Follow this road for a short distance and there is a car parking area near the start of the track.
Lake Pukaki Track
There are lovely views out over Lake Pukaki and the Southern Alps as well as a beautiful view of Aoraki/Mount Cook on a clear day. You can choose how far you want to walk, and then return the same way.
Duration of walk:
4 hours return.
Start location:
This walk can be started on the lake side of State Highway 8, near the starting point for the Pukaki Kettlehole walk. Park off the road and the track can be started at many points here.
Before you begin exploring the walks in the region make sure you know the New Zealand Department of Conservation Outdoor Safety Code.