Mt Cook

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Mount Cook also known as Aoraki is the highest mountain in New Zealand, reaching a height of 3,754 metres. It lays in the Southern Alps, in the Christchurch region of the South Island, New Zealand.

Mount Cook is a popular tourist destination and mountain climbers love it. It is made up of three summits lying slightly south and east of the main divide, the Low Peak, Middle Peak and High Peak, with the Tasman Glacier to the east and the Hooker Glacier to the west.

The village of Mount Cook is a comfortable sanctuary in one of the most ruthless parts of New Zealand. All year round the weather can change dramatically. The region is only 44 kilometres from the coast, so storms can arrive suddenly from the Tasman Sea to create dangerous conditions for climbers so climbers need to stay safe and be cautious.

You don't have to be climber to experience the beauty and serenity of Mount Cook there are various alpine walks beginning near the village that go for around three hours return. Flight seeing, tours to the Tasman Glacier and heli-skiing are other ways to make the most of your time in such a unique location.

Mt Cook History

While the mountain was known to Maori centuries before, the first European known to see Mount Cook was Abel Tasman, on December 13, 1642 during his first Pacific voyage. The English name of Mount Cook was given to the mountain in 1851 by Captain John Lort Stokes to honour Captain James Cook who first surveyed New Zealand in 1770. Captain Cook did not cite the mountain during his exploration.

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