Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand and is the main area where New Zealand's stunning glaciers are found. Mount Cook is located inside the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park (in New Zealand many places have co-official local Maori and European names - Aoraki is the Maori name).
Mount Cook National Park is one of New Zealand's oldest national parks dating back to 1953 but protected since 1887. One can visit the glaciers on two sides of the ranges and they are very different from each other. On the West Coast, the rainfall is heavy and so the snow up the mountain is very heavy. On another side, much less rain falls and the entire environment is different. Around 40% of the park is covered in glaciers and is without a doubt one of New Zealand's most beautiful spots.
Mount Cook National Park
On the island side of the mountain, one has the most stunning views of the mountains and ranges. The National Park is accessed via State Highway 80 and at the end of the road is Mount Cook Village. This village is just a hotel and some motels. This region is some of New Zealand's most spectacular, one can hike all around the base of Mount Cook. The views are breathtaking.
Mount Cook Details
- Mountaineering: Mount Cook Requires Skill And Proper Equipment To Climb
- Mount Cook Height: 3,593 Meters or 11,788 Feet
By many international standards, Mount Cook is not a very tall mountain, but that doesn't been it is an easy one to climb. It is a mountain that requires expertise and proper equipment. Climbing this mountain is mountaineering not hiking. Its heavy glaciation and tremendous vertical scale and unpredictable weather make it a tough nut to crack. It can be dangerous and many people fail. One must have a combination of skill, fitness, and respect for these oftentimes brutal mountains. It is another reason why New Zealand is an adventurer's paradise.
Tasman Glacier
On this side of the ranges is the Tasman Glacier, which is New Zealand's largest glacier. One can have helicopter tours of the glacier and land on it. At the end of the glacier is Tasman Lake, this lake is popular for boat tours and icebergs that have been carved off the glacier can be seen in the lake. Boats are not allowed to go closer than 1.5 km or 0.9 miles of the terminal face of the glacier for safety.
- Height Of The Face Of The Glacier: 50 Meters or 160 Feet
- Length Of The Glacier: 23.5 km or 14.6 Miles
Fox Glacier And Franz Josef Glacier
On the other side of the ranges and it is wet and lush forests cover the mountains. There are two main touristic glaciers on this side of the mountains. They are the Franz Josef Glacier and the Fox Glacier. These are the glaciers that seem to flow straight down into the rainforests.
These glaciers are technically not in Mount Cook National Park but in the neighboring Westland Tai Poutini National Park. These are among New Zealand's main attractions. Fox Glacier is the most accessible of the glaciers with people being able to walk close to it. It also has a terminal face of only around 300 meters above sea level.
- Access: Via Fox Glacier Village (A Resort Village)
- Fox Glacier Length: 13 Kilometers or 8.1 Miles
- Access: Via Franz Josef Glacier (A Resort Village)
- Franz Josef Glacier Length: 12 Kilometers or 7.5 Miles
Franz Josef Glacier is the kindred counterpart to the Fox Glacier. They are both very similar and are located only a short drive from each other. It also descends to around 300 meters or 980 feet above sea level.
The whole region of Mount Cook and the Glaciers is part of the Te Wahipouamu World Heritage Site.
To enjoy these glaciers one can hike close to them or one can take a scenic flight and land on them.
Main activities:
- Hiking: There Are Always Many Good Quality Trails (Called Tracks) In New Zealand
- Boat Tour: Of Tasman Lake In Mount Cook National Park
- Scenic Flight: Scenic Flight With Fixed Wing Aircraft Of The Whole Region
- Scenic Helicopter Flight: Helicopter Flight And Land On The Glaciers
- Mountaineering: Mount Cook Is Perfect For Mountaineering
Unfortunately, these glaciers are all in retreat, a hundred years ago they advanced right into the forests.
Accommodation
There is plenty of accommodation options in Fox and Franz Josef Villages on the west coast. On the Mount Cook side, there is some accommodation at Mount Cook village, another great option is staying in the picturesque town of Lake Tekapo that rests majestically the turquoise-colored (from the glaciers) Lake Tekapo. The vistas from here are straight up the lake with awe-inspiring views of Mount Cook.