Aoraki Mount Cook

Alpine majesty

Australasia's tallest mountain is right here in our backyard. At 3,754 metres, Aoraki Mount Cook towers above the Southern Alps and there's nowhere that you can get as close and personal with this mountain than at the Aoraki Mount Cook Village.

From the luxurious loungers of the Hermitage Hotel's Snowline Bar, to roughing it at the Whitehorse Hill DOC campground, there is accommodation to suit all budgets and all come with breathtaking views.

By day there's plenty of adventure in these parts: leisurely hikes lead up the Hooker Valley Track or to the Tasman Glacier lookout, and there's scenic flights that land precariously on the top of this icy glacier.

Alternatively, you could go off-road on a 4WD adventure, paddle a kayak beside a 500-year-old iceberg in the Tasman Glacier Lake or try your hand at heli-hiking or skiing.

The truly adventurous may like to attempt crossing the Ball Pass, or climbing to the summit of Aoraki Mount Cook itself!

The possibilities are endless in this UNESCO World Heritage Area, but one thing's for sure: wherever you are, when the sun is about to set, make sure you turn to watch oraki Mount Cook's snowy crown painted in shades of pink, purple and red.