The three day walk was a fantastic experience. Wonderful historic huts, lovely walking, and a unique way to experience a high country station. Open air bathtub at Sutherland's Hut was glorious. So nice to soak in a bubble bath just like the early shepherds must have.

This walk was a fabulous way to get away from the hurly burly of work! The tracks were well marked, the huts were wonderful - basic but with comfy beds and the total luxury of hot showers and flush loos! Also well written history on each place. The beautiful scenery and peace of the whole station makes this an amazing experience coupled with the friendly hosts, Jo and Steve, including the magical appearance of muffins, a flask and coffee and tea on one of the higher points of the track on a longer day.

We did this walk some time ago now and I have meant to write something ever since. We really enjoyed the walk, and the cabins were divine! So cute. The self service bar was a godsend as well. We both had a bath and watched the sunset. Would recommend this walk.

Enjoyed a lovely 3 days walking.

Fabulous experience. Great walk, wonderful hosts - you’ll enjoy the surprises along the way!

Beautiful area great people highly recommended for a tramp

Very enjoyable place to visit. Excellent range of interesting historic items, especially the jet boat display. We spent a long time there and will go again. There is something for everyone including food and great coffee.

The museum is well worth a visit, you will need cash for entry. The cafe is an absolute must, the chicken and Mushroom pie is delicious. It is crammed full of chicken and mushies all made freshly on site. The pies are $8 with chips. All food is made on site. A wonderful fire for chilly winter days.

Such a fascinating place, so much to see and learn! We popped in for a quick visit and were amazed by how big it is, we spent ages exploring. Lots of displays to interest all ages!

Lots to see, displays are well organised and the cars are awesome, friendly staff and very informative 😀

Cafe: Recently under new management, we have enjoyed several visits to the Museum Cafe. Great coffee and the danish pastry I had today was outstanding. Made on site. Delicious. Definitely worth a stop.

Had the best pie that’s ever touched my mouth. What a treat, needs an award 1# best pie I’ve ever had brisket, tripple cheese and red onion. Oh my I’m salivating thinking about it.

Very friendly people, pretzel amazing, coffee average but place had a good vibe

We had a lovely time at Alpine Alpacas; the staff were welcoming and friendly, and we really enjoyed meeting the alpacas, plus the horse and the Shetland pony ❤️ Feeding them was such a cute experience! The shop has some really nice things too. Would highly recommend to anyone staying in Fairlie or passing through :) Thank you for a lovely morning!

Our group of 6 throughly enjoyed ourselves visiting Alpine Alpacas. We felt very welcome by the staff members, Sharon and Riley, who took the time to tell us about the different animals and their personalities. A We also had the joy of meeting Spot, an eleven day old lamb! Definitely the highlight of our day.

We love Riley’s guide tour!! When she said she is lots of animals’ mom, I can see proud on her face. She knows her children very well, very professional! Very nice tour!

Had a great time at Alpine Alpacas today! The staff were lovely and the alpacas are so cute. I really enjoyed feeding and stroking them and meeting the horse and Shetland pony too :) a great place to visit.

Amazing 45 min guided tour experience with Riley at 10am. The animals are very cute. Riley ensured we had a great time. Thanks for showing us around.

Excellent up close experience with alpacas, lambs, horse. You can feed them too. Riley was a great guide. She explains well.

We had a lovely time feeding & learning about the alpacas. Riley was really friendly & knowledgeable, would recommend if you’re staying in the area

An unforgettable first-time ski experience – fun, safe, and beautifully scenic. We had an incredible time at Mt Dobson Ski Area. As first-time skiers, we opted for the beginners package, which included a 1.5-hour lesson, full gear hire, and full-day access to the beginners area—absolutely worth it. Our instructor was patient, encouraging, and made sure everyone grasped the basics, helping us make the most of the day. The gear was in excellent condition, and the equipment team was friendly and thorough, ensuring everyone was fitted correctly and comfortably. The shuttle bus option gave us peace of mind, especially with changing weather, and made access easy. Food and drink options were simple but satisfying—hot chips, pies, soft drinks, water, energy drinks, and espresso coffee kept us fuelled throughout the day. The mountain views were absolutely breathtaking, and the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. Even though it was busy, the slopes were spacious, and more experienced skiers were considerate, making it easier and safer for beginners to learn. We felt comfortable leaving our belongings at the picnic tables without worry, which added to the relaxed, family-friendly vibe. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a fun, safe, and memorable skiing adventure!

Great skiing field with excellent snow base, good prices, short queues, and amazing staff. Great way to spend the weekend.

Good vehicle access, lots of groomed runs as well as off piste. Beautiful views.

I’m someone who has been to a lot of different ski fields around the world and this was one of my faves. I love how uncrowded it was. The runs were wide, plenty of space. No cues to get on the lifts. Super chill vibes. It has one chair lift, one button lift and a T-bar lift. There’s a small little practice area with a rope pull. You can hire gear on-site and it was good quality. The only negative feedback is that the toilet block isn’t plumbed, so it’s a long drop toilet. Wasn’t used to using one of those. The food shop was a tiny little space with no healthy options for food. The staff were great though. The drive up the mountain to get there is very windy, one lane traffic so wouldn’t suggest driving a large motorhome up there (especially a Jucy motorhome, they have a bad reputation for handling this terrain. The locals apparently hate those vans). Great fun ski field though. Super basic compared to the bigger more tourist popular fields but we loved it, the wide open space and less crowds. Highly recommend.

A great ski field for everyone, from beginners to advanced skiers. Even on busy days when the car parks are full, the abundance of ski lifts options ensures there are minimal to no queues.

Very scenic and steep drive up to the mountain. Drive carefully. They open from 9am onwards but do give them a call before you go up to the mountain to check on the snow and all.. They have a rental shop up there. So yeah. Drive safely.

Best snow in the country, and will now happily drive past mt hutt every dam day to ski here, awesome terrain great for all levels of skiers

Breath taking views! ~ literally! If you truly want to see the most amazing views, I highly recommend the 'Tasman Glacier View' track! But be ready to climb a lot of stairs! It is listed as 15mins one way, but It definitely doesn't feel that long :) ~ the view is well worth the steps! I didn't get a chance to try the other walks since I arrived late afternoon, but I definitely recommend those who have the time to arrive early morning and to stay much longer than I did!

We did an organised tour here last year. The experience was unforgettable and the views were spectacular. Ensure you wear suitable clothing for hiking around a glacier. The trip also included a helicopter ride there and back. The trip was one of the best activities we did in New Zealand.

A helicopter trip up the valley provided spectacular views of the Tasman glacier and surrounding mountain peaks. Landing on the glacier provided an amazing experience, stepping out onto the snow looking down the valley was memorable and highly recommend.

Easy walk all the way up to see the lake and close to the glacier. This place is suitable for the entire family.

The route that's closest to the glacier, easy walk, slightly rough towards the end but totally worth it

H e l i c o p t e r L i n e - M t C o o k H e l i - H i k e Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike I joined the glacier hike at Mount Cook a couple of days ago, and it was such an amazing experience! Our guide was very professional, fun, and knowledgeable. She explained so many fascinating geological features along the way, which made the whole journey even more enriching. On top of that, she was experienced and absolutely lovely—truly one of the best guides I’ve ever had. Highly recommended!

Tasman Glacier is located within the Mount Cook National Park and can be seen from a couple treks that start at the end of the Tasman Valley Road. The Blue Pools Trek ascends above the Tasman Lake to a viewpoint where you have decent views of the glacier in the distance. The Tasman Lake and Rivers treks are a bit longer and place you at the end of the lake and mouth of the Tasman River. From here you also see the glacier in the distance but from a lower vantage point. Unfortunately, the glacier is topped with a heavy layer of moraine making it difficult to see well from afar. What is interesting if visiting during warmer months of the year are the icebergs which have broken off from the glacier and slowly made their way towards the mouth of the Tasman River. We very much enjoyed seeing these during our visit this past September. Note: For closer views of the glacier, boat trips can be arranged back in the Mount Cook Village. From the Tasman Lake and River treks, there is a side trail that leads to a jetty where boat trips can be taken on the lake.

We were so lucky to have a snow fall in October so we could enjoy having fun in the patches around. Visited the café and the visitors centre

“Mount Cook is beautiful in every way. The drive there is so good with amazing views all around. Snowy mountains, fresh air, and peaceful nature make it feel like heaven. A perfect place to relax and enjoy.”

The trip and hiking to Aoraki / Mt. Cook has been really interesting. The natural beauty and views of the natural environment there has been vibrant and amazing, the glacier there had dated to be thousands plus years old. Temperature drops significantly as you further hike up the altitudes. One of the most visitors and tourist attractive geographical feature in South Island, New Zealand.😍😊

Very nice view. 1st we went at evening and because it bevome sark early, then we come back next day. My kids very happy to play with snow

Loved going up there it's a good change of scenery away from city life

A beautiful outdoor hiking experience. The mountain views,river valleys and trails are absolutely worth the trip.

Lovely place. I went here with a tour. Hoping that I’ll visit the place again and do some camping!

Statue of a Collie dog with the inscription that without the help of these animals they could not have farmed this land. Beautiful location on the shore of this beautiful lake. You should take a trip up the hill which has beautiful views over the lake and mountains

Just a simple sheepdog statue on a rock on the sides of Lake Tekapo. Not sure if this was intentional, you have the Good shepherd Church nearby and you have the Sheepdog that shepherds the sheep - celebrating 2 different shepherds ..

Lovely statue memorial to the Sheepdog (Border Collie) and wonderful views of the lake.

Humble little tribute right next to the Church of the Good Shepherd. Worth a quick stop, especially if you appreciate the history of the region.

Beautiful and meaningful statue, the sheepdog memorial located just a short walk away (100m) from The Church of the Good Shepherd. Least visitor as compared to the church itself , if you are around the corner I recommend you to drop by.

You can never go wrong with a statue dedicated to dogs.

Since it is next to the church, just visit it. Nothing interesting about this statue.

This world-famous landmark has received countless praises — especially during lupin season, on every star-filled night, and in that iconic view where the cross in the window aligns perfectly with the deep blue of Lake Tekapo. And truly, it deserves every bit of that admiration. But what surprised me most is how stunning it becomes in harsh weather. I once visited during heavy snowfall, and the scene felt completely different: vast, silent, almost otherworldly. The sense of emptiness and solitude — like a landscape where “no birds fly over the endless mountains, and no footprints can be found on the snowy paths” — stands in sharp contrast to the usual crowds and bright, calm days. People often say you need good weather to enjoy a place, but for the Church of the Good Shepherd, every kind of weather is a unique stroke of luck. I’ve visited many times, and I know I’ll return many more times in this lifetime.

Small rustic church facing the magnificent lake tekapo. Would have loved to attend the Sunday sermons here if given the time and opportunity. Come early or later into the day where there are less crowds fo better photos.

Original we stopped by about 2pm but there were heaps of people, parking is crazy and it wasn’t easy to take pictures so we went back at 8:30pm for sunset and it was so much better. The church is closed and quiet and you can spend as long as you want taking pictures. Please be mindful this is a functioning church and you need to respect that!

Beautiful Church that was built by Anglicans but is used by different sects for worship. Plenty of parking but the church closes at 5pm for tourists. It is important for tourists to remember that it is a sacred place, I think the church should do more to ensure that people outside do not talk too loud. Otherwise, a beautiful location and cosy architecture.

Lovely little church on the edge of Lake Tekapo. Famous for just being a stone church is a beautiful location. We entered during a service so no internal photos but outside it is very picturesque. If you want a photo with no one around then I suggest an early morning visit as popular with the tourist coaches.

2nd time visiting this scenic place, after my 1st visit 8 years ago. Stands out for its solitude beside beautiful Lake Tekapo and the gorgeous mountains in the background. Much more crowded this time compared to many years ago. Still, a not to be missed place.

Even though we visited in early November — and came for sunrise, sunset, and even during the night for some stargazing — there were still quite a lot of people around, which is understandable though. At a certain hour the area around the church gets closed off, so afterward you can only walk around the fence, but it’s nothing too inconvenient. There’s a beautiful photo spot by the water just behind the church.

Absolutely stunning view of Tekapo and the MacKenzie Country. Be aware though that the road may be closed at anytime due to bad weather particularly windy weather so watch out for that. Would definitely recommend to anyone who likes looking out over the world.

The place was very interesting! We leaned about the telescopes and the astrophotography viewings. The area was really beautiful! The cafe's food was also great!

This is a ABSOLUTE MUST see if you visit Lake Tekapo. Make time to come up here on a sunny day and see for MILES around. The view from the top is INSANE. See the pics that I posted. We visited, luckily on a CRYSTAL CLEAR sunny day and it was AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL..... There is also a cafe at the top where you can have coffee and some snacks/food to enjoy while you are up there

A good place to have coffee from Astro Cafe. The entrance to the complex cost 8 NZD. The view from the top is beyond stunning. You can watch how visitors of all origins posing for pictures in different styles; this alone is also interesting in addition to the view.

Beautifull sights over Lake Tekapo from Here. Just do not take the car to get here, you’ll be charged 8 dollars. Walk the track starting from close to the tekapo springs, it’ll be way more fun with even better views (away from the insta crowd) if you’ll do the full round when going back along the lake. Rec with nice weather!

I'm sure the view is spectacular but the $14 road users fee to get there and see essentially no more than what I've seen on the way here (Mnt Cook and surrounds) for free I couldn't justify it. Would have bought breakfast and coffee whilst up there otherwise. 4 stars due to road fee.

The 2hour hike path was worth it! Not too difficult and got to see the great view on the way up! We drove up again, very nice views with a lovely cafe up there!

We hiked up the track to the mountain to watch sunset and stargaze. It was a nice and quiet place to be at that time. It was a bit of a moderate slog up the mountain, but well worth it. There is a gravel parking lot at the start. Just watch out for horse excrement while making your way up the trail.

The road is a bit slippery with snow, have to be careful and wear a proper shoes. I have spend 1.5-2 hr to reach the hill, please don’t wear too many jackets, super hot to climb up the mountain.

The view on the summit is amazing. We walked up one day after snow, and the view along the track is also fantastic

Easy track up with mostly flat trails and some steps. 3.8km return track with 273m accent. Finished in 43 minutes (I am a regular jogger with good fitness).

Nice walk once you get past Tekapo Springs at the bottom and brilliant views from the summit. The track flattens out after you exit the tree line and go up the stairs. Nice cafe at the top if you need somewhere to rest before heading back down.

Amazing views on the lake and the dessert-like surrounding 🥰 would recommend to do the loop anti clock wise (first along the lake, then up to the observatory and then down through the forest - cause that last part are just steep serpentines and I was glad I could walk them down and not up 😅)

This was my very first hike and our tween first hike. It was quite hard for unfit person but well worth the hike. It was great nice outing for family. Free activities. For fit people probably only take 4hours. For me took 5 hours cos stop a lot. There are heaps of resting area. Best part for photos. Good internet reception. I did video call oversea to show the summit and signal was great. Top of the summit, there is a Cafe. Pls see my review on Cafe at Their pages. Please note: you can drive up to summit but It is more fun to hiking up. Recommended! If unfit person like me can conquer the summit. You can! 😘

Visited Hooker Valley in September 2025, and it was one of the most stunning walks we’ve ever done in New Zealand! The trail is well-marked, flat and accessible, making it perfect for all ages. Along the way, we crossed three beautiful suspension bridges, each offering unique perspectives of the surrounding mountains and rivers. The scenery is constantly changing, from braided glacial rivers and tussock-filled valleys to snow-capped peaks of Aoraki / Mount Cook. The highlight of the walk is Hooker Lake itself, with its turquoise waters and icebergs floating gently on the surface. The view of Mount Cook reflecting on the lake was breathtaking — truly a picture-perfect moment. Even though it was early spring, the air was crisp and refreshing, and there were still patches of snow that added to the dramatic landscape. We spent time at the lake, taking photos and enjoying the peacefulness of the area. The trail is about 10 km return but it feels easy thanks to the well-maintained path and gentle terrain. Hooker Valley Track is a must-do for anyone visiting Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. It’s accessible, scenic and offers some of the best alpine views in New Zealand. Highly recommended for nature lovers and photographers alike!

Hooker Valley Track – Absolutely Breathtaking! We were blessed with great weather — clear skies but a bit chilly, which made the walk refreshing! Only the first bridge was open during our visit, so it was a shorter trail (about 15 minutes each way, 30 minutes total), but still totally worth it. The view was absolutely breathtaking — snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear water, and that stunning Mt Cook backdrop. Even with the limited access, it’s a must-visit spot for anyone heading to the area. ❄️✨

Good place to trek. Exceeded my expectations. It was a lovely sunny day when I went and I had a good enjoyable exercise day. 2 of the bridges were still closed but it's still worth going. Not difficult to walk. I saw people with wheelchairs along the way. Highly recommended.

Hike was done in early Oct , 2nd swing bridge is closed so we didnt find the terrain too difficult. Very scenic. Great weather on the day we hiked so all was good. Highly recommended.

Stunning scenarios and views. Would reccomend to go on a hike here. We came during spring, the weather was good, there wasn't much of a crowd and the air was fresh and clean. The hiking trails are decent, safe, and can be easily spotted so its really hard to get loss.

This world-famous track is all over social media on a blue-sky day, but honestly, it’s just as stunning when the weather turns moody — cloudy or light rain gives the whole valley a dramatic, almost mystical vibe. Of course, if it’s pouring down or snowing heavily, it’s better to stay away for safety reasons. And on a foggy day, visibility gets so low that walking into the valley kind of defeats the purpose. The track itself is medium-level at most. With some basic gear you can easily finish it. Still, whether it’s summer or winter, make sure you bring proper layers and rain protection — the weather in the valley isn’t exactly four-seasons-in-one-day, but it can be as unpredictable as someone in love. The swing bridges, the glacier lake and the Hooker River are absolute highlights — not that you can miss them anyway. If you’re lucky, you might catch a full view of Aoraki / Mt Cook, but most of the time the summit hides behind the clouds. And if you ever get to witness the golden glow on the peak at sunrise or sunset, that’s pure magic — a real blessing. Trust me, unless the track is closed or visibility is dangerously low, spending around four hours here is worth it at any time.

it was a bit crowded when we visited in the beginning of march, but we were lucky to get a parking slot 😅 the way leads you through the stunning scenery of the mountains along the amazing glacier river until the lake - no steep part, it goes up and down in a really easy way and is mostly flat... also some boardwalk parts and three swing bridges to cross the river 😍🥰 definitely a must-do👍🏻✨️

This track is very easy and quick if you are looking for something to do. The views are good and similar to Hooker Valley Track from the same starting point. The trail is well maintained.

A reasonably easy trek up this track to view the glaciers at the spectacular Kea point. The views at the end are worth it, and so is the beautiful walk up to this point. I could do it with a child on my back. Highly recommended.

Easy and short hike with fantastic views. If hooker valley is too long and crowded for your taste, kea point is a good alternative, although Hooked Valley is still quite a bit better in my opinion, if it wasn’t for the sea of tourists, but hey, I’m one of them so can’t complain 🤷🏻‍♀️ we brought pizza from the store Edmund Hillary cafe at the hermitage, although the pizza was cold when we arrived, it was still delicious after a hike 😂👍

easy hike with good scenery throughout. Mueller Lake is a bit underwhelming though. should be the easiest walk in the Mt Cook area - easier than Tasman Glvier viewpoint.

A spectacular view at the end is reached by an interesting walk wirh many stunning vistas. Recommend. Need good footwear as the taxkbis very uneven and rocky in many places.

Kea point look out track is pretty easy track. About 30minutes of walk to reach the kea point from the parking area. Not much of a climb, even old people were completing the stretch. Kea point overlooks the Meuller lake, you can also see the Mt Sefton, Mt Cook from here. If you want to choose between Hooker valley track and Kea track and if you have 3hrs to spare - then go for Hooker valley ..

Very lovely easy walk to a nice view of the Mountains! Took us about 50 mins return at a slow pace!

An unforgettable experience on the Tasman Glacier! We did the Heli & Hike adventure and it was truly one of the highlights of our trip. The whole experience was very well organized from start to finish. Things kicked off with a safety briefing at 11:15, and by 12:00 we were up in the air, enjoying a breathtaking helicopter ride over the Southern Alps. Once on the glacier, we spent about 1 hour and 45 minutes exploring. This included gearing up with crampons and listening to a few final safety instructions before heading out. Our guide, Anna, was absolutely fantastic—super friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the glacier and its unique environment. We stopped at three stunning ice formations where we got to take photos, touch the glacier ice, and soak in the surreal surroundings. It’s hard to describe the feeling of standing on ancient ice like that—it was magical. The only reason we’re not giving it a full 5 stars is that we would’ve loved a bit more time on the glacier, especially considering the price of the tour. But overall, it was an incredible and memorable experience that we’d definitely recommend!

We had an absolutely amazing experience flying to the Tasman Glacier with Mark G as our pilot. From the moment we walked into reception, the customer service was outstanding. The staff at reception were warm, welcoming, and went above and beyond to answer all of our questions. They made us feel completely at ease and genuinely cared about making the whole experience special. Mark G was fantastic—professional, knowledgeable, and very friendly. He shared great insights during the flight, which made the journey even more memorable. Landing on the glacier was breathtaking. This company truly shines in both the quality of their flights and their incredible customer service. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience, and we would recommend them without hesitation to anyone visiting the area.

We booked this Mount Cook and Tasman Glacier helicopter experience at the last minute, a day before the scheduled flight and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of our trip! Our pilot, Josh, was fantastic - friendly, professional, and made us feel safe from start to finish. Even the staff that oriented for the pre-flight (forgot her name). The flight offered breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and the stunning Tasman Glacier. Landing on the glacier was absolutely surreal, and Josh even took a great photo of us to remember the moment. Everything was well-organized, and the pilot's commentary during the flight made the experience even more special. If you're visiting Mt Cook, don't miss this - it's worth every minute and every dollar!

We went for the ultimate alpine experience, which has a combo of an outbound trip to the Tasman glacier on a helicopter and inbound on a plane (or vice-versa). The views are breathtaking. The landing on / taking off from the glacier using a ski plane is a lot of fun - apparently the only ski plane in the Southern hemisphere !

Such awesome experience on our helicopter flight to glacier Mt Cook and landed on snow. Experience and friendly pilot.. helpful friendly staff at booking. Highly recommend.

Amazing experience and super experienced and friendly pilots. Please plan some time to do this as it can get unexpectedly cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions. Our planned flight got cancelled but we got lucky and we could fly in the next morning. The staff were very friendly and helpful on the phone. Anyway incredible experience, excellent service, breathtaking views. What else could you ask for? 10/10

This was the most amazing tour we have ever done! Our guide Tori really made it so special showing us so many cool things to see on the glacier. She took the most amazing photos of us and went out of her way to keep us safe and ensure we had an extraordinary time. The flight to and from the glacier was beautiful and our pilot was a true professional. It was great value for money given how epic the adventure was with two full hours exploring the glacier. Add it to your bucket list and make it happen if you can!!!!

Been planning this visit for 2 years now. Finally got the chance to go but unfortunately the Hooker Valley Track has been closed from the first bridge onwards. It is set to open Autumn 2026. So hopefully we make it for that next year. Otherwise, everything was so stunning. Seeing Mt.Cook right in front of me made me feel some sort of emotion- i cannot describe . I will definitely be going again in the winter.

If you are in New Zealand and you didn’t visit Mount Aoraki then it is a bog miss, not fulfilled of your trip. It is a mind blowing view from any place, the road trip is awesome and refreshing journey. The picture you will be taken will not present how beautiful the serenity is. Just be there, spend some time, be quiet, make your own way, stop somewhere and breathe.

Wonderful, soring mountains, glacier and native bush walks. Can be busy, but tracks are well built for the numbers. Take your time to soak or all in. DOC information centre worth a visit for informative display.

The Aoraki/Mt Cook NP Visitors Center is one of the best I have ever explored. I have a particular interest in exploration, trekking, and history of those activities. If you do too, it is well worth an hour or so of your time. Mt Cook has been a proving ground for great mountaineers and the center documents many of those who passed through. The presentations on rescues was fascinating too. It was also the first I've seen that gives props to the first women explorers. First females, essentially climbing in dresses, had great stories.

This tourist center is worth a visit for everyone. It showcases the history, development and construction process of Mt. Cook, as well as the protection of the mountain's environment and wildlife.

While we were watching the movie (which is very interesting!), we essentially got kicked out of the building at 11:30AM by the tenant, because it’s here lunch hour!!!! So my understanding is that no matter how many people are in there (we must have been about 20 or more, the parking is full), she emptied the building so she can have here lunch. I’m fine with people taking a break, don’t get me wrong, but isn’t there a better way to treat visitors who drove hours to get there? This is an internationally famous area, with loads of visitors year round! While the video explains how proud the Kiwis are about Aoraki Mount Cook, a Kiwi kicked if out of the visitor center! Now, this being said, if you can get in when it’s open, it’s beautiful in there, great book shop and exhibitions. But here we are in the car, watching groups after groups get turned around at the door!!

Free visitor center with loads of information on Mount Cook and Tasman Glacier. We were planning on visiting the famed Hooker Valley trail but its closed again. This visitor center will keep you occupied for at least 15 mins if you are keen on history and geography. Highly recommend!

Really loved this boat ride/tour. Good boats, seemed pretty new. Terrific guide/boat driver he was very good really, gave us heaps of info and drove the boat well. Sorry I have forgotten his name I think he was American. Saw lots of ice bergs in the lake and even touched them. Definitely do this if you go to Mt Cook

Unforgettable Adventure on Ice! The Glacier Explorer tour was an incredible experience! Cruising among icebergs on the Tasman Lake, right next to the glacier face, was surreal. The guides were knowledgeable and friendly, making it fun and educational. A once-in-a-lifetime chance to get up close to a glacier – absolutely worth it!

Well organised and significant care factor throughout, we initially had to cancel due to poor weather and were put in a wait list, they had a cancellation on a following day and we were called straight away. Ben was an excellent guide and shared lots of interesting facts and made the tour. Icebergs and scenery were amazing, highly recommend to anyone visiting for a unique experience.

Worth a visit Need to hike before reaching the boarding point and hike back after that Need to leave the bags then wear safety vest. Safety briefing on the boat. Informative and educational tour about the glaciers. Get to go up close and also taste the glaciers Our guide was awesome, he would rotate the boat to ensure everyone had good views, also helped us to take photos Windy and cooling when boat is speeding.

Ben our guide was top notch. Super knowledgeable and funny. Didn’t want the experience to end. 5 stars! - from your Scotland crew 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Great experience it's a must do if your in the area, bit of a hike from the car park to the boats.

They cancelled our tour 15 minutes before the scheduled start so driving 2.5 hours here was unfortunate. Understand that the weather is not in their control but still frustrating. Refund want a issue but a bit 'oh well' otherwise. Yes, spectacular views abound, so the place is probably worth a visit regardless.

The museum is dedicated to Sir Edmund Hillary while he was in Aoraki training in preparation for his ascent on Everest. It also has the 1st glacier landing plane located there. Awesome 👌

This is attached to the hermitage hotel it has a large shop selling hiking gear but quite expensive it has very few general items. The cafe on the first floor is welcome after the hiking but can get very crowded when the tours return. There is a small museum

My wife is really interested in Sir Edmund Hillary and we were really interested in visiting the museum. Don't bother. Most of the museum talks above the alpine centre and area itself. Yes, I find that somewhat interesting, but paying $25 per adult I thought I'd get more. Get a free month on Netflix and watch some documentaries instead.

Save yourself $25 and just don't bother with this. Vaguely interesting yes but at the end of the day it is poorly presented and isn't much more than a small collection of books and photos. So much more could be done to present the story of this man in an amazing way. Until then save yourself the money

We were only visitors for a short stay. Haven't made good use of this centre. You can get information here and can also buy supplies for the climbing the snow mountains. There' s also a museum and movie to watch. It's a pity that we didn't have time to enjoy all these. Hope I can stay a few days here next time when I came.

A great perspective o the history of the nz Alps and sir Edmund Hilary.

Tourist trap. You spend there 20 minutes for $25. Mount Cook National Park visitor centre nearby is much better and free.

Booked thr GYG. Thanks helicopter line for the awesome experience on the Heli Hike on 24th Sept 11am (really thankful for the good weather too). We had 2 guides with us and they were both very informative and caring. Appreciate the smooth heli ride too.

Kia ora, Thanks for your arrangement that I DO enjoyed the activity. I never see such magnificent views , that is more than awesome. Emma from Alpine Guides is really a thoughtful and professional instructor,Scott and Andy are also with kindness to inspire me up, that did release me from nervous mode. I hope we can meet up again. Sincerely, Helen

Honestly, the experience itself was decent, but the reason I’m rating three stars is I can’t help but feel like this was a bit of a tourist trap… and I left feeling slightly cheated. For about $1000 per person you get taken on a very short helicopter ride to do a 100m “hike” on Tasman Glacier. The hike isn’t really a hike, more a very short walk to two “caves” in the glacier. One of the caves was completely man made with pickaxes - which isn’t what this company advertises. The ice caves themselves look NOTHING like they do in the photos on the website - in reality they are very small and barely enough for one person. They’re not even really “caves” at all, more like just small holes in the ice that the guides carve out seats in If this experience were half the price it was I would still say it was overpriced. You are not going to get the grand meters tall ice walls they show you in the brochure Our guides on the other hand were great, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic - which is the reason I did not give two stars. If you’re debating doing this trip because of the high price, I’d say skip it and save your money - there’s so much other great stuff to spend your money on in the South Island Also, guys, for $1000 it would be nice if you supplied boots in all sizes - I had to wear boots that were nearly two sizes too big. What are we doing here?

Simply amazing glacial walk experience with the best guide one would ever wish for - Narly. He seems to be a bit of a local legend having been up Mt Cook 45 times and even Everest! Extremely insightful experience which shows the real dynamic nature of glaciers.

Had a great flight of 55minutes. Sam was a very friendly pilot, he could tell us a lot about what we were seeing and the entire flight went super smooth. There was almost no wind so he joked it was quite easy to give us this wonderful flight but still I think he was very experienced and I felt absolutely safe.

Our guide, Carey, was amazing and watches over our safety really closely. He’s very engaging and made all of our comfortable from the beginning. High recommend this tour to view the tasman glacier as you’ll be in good hands.

Went helihiking with Brian. Great hike, easy and interesting. Brian really knows his stuff. Made the walk back to Glenntanner an incredible experience.

Lake Pukaki is perfectly positioned at the foot of Southern Alps. The scenery around will blow your mind away. We might have seen such pictures as the backdrop of calendars during my childhood. But never imagined such a beautiful place. The area is famous for Salmon & salmon farms too. This aquamarine colour due to the glacial flour will leave you mesmerized.

Pale water holds the mountain's gaze, A sheet of ice, in sunlit haze. The Southern Alps, in jagged crown, Reflect their snow on water down. The air is thin, the light is gold, A silence ancient, grand, and old. Upon the shore, the tussocks sigh, Beneath a vast and endless sky. Lake Pukaki, a turquoise gleam, The color of a waking dream. It drinks the melt from Tasman's feet, A glacial, breathtaking retreat.

Lake located on the road to Mt Aorangi, lake has some spectacular views and lookouts galore. Can see clear around the valley on a nice day.

It’s so beautiful here! You also can see Mount Cook in the distance.

Our coach passed beautiful Lake Pukaki on the way to Mount Cook, which became visible from quite a distance. The entire lake is an almost perfect and consistent aquamarine, from the glacial runoff silt.

Definitely worth a couple of visits! You can get even closer to the mountains when you drive towards Mount Cook. The lake is an endless body of turquoise blue. There is plenty of parking available. Toilet facilities are not the best though.

Beautiful place to have look on Mount Cook. It gives beautiful look with several other mountains. It's very big and spread in large area till Mount cook.. Drive along with this lake gives you a very sceneric beauty. Even if you wanna dark star view. Than it's a best place to see. By going more along with lake (not on main road) side road. You can get good spot which will give a broad view of sky and definitely you will get too many stars and planets (satellites too if you lucky enough).

Loved stopping by this lavender farm after visiting mount cook. Their ice cream was very delicious, I highly recommend the lavender vanilla but you can’t go wrong with any of the flavors. I wish I could give more than 5 stars. About 2 and a half hours after leaving the farm, we found out my husband lost his phone. We messaged the owners of the lavender farm a couple hours after closing and they searched for his phone and found it. His phone had the majority of our reservations and we’d be so lost without it. I’m very thankful the owners took their time after closing to find our phone. Definitely visit the farm and support these folks.

Lavender Alpine Mount cook road in New Zealand is a delightful destination with something for everyone.Mount cook road Alpine Lavender one of the largest certified organic lavender farms in the Southern Hemisphere. The highlight is their wide variety of unique and flavorful ice creams, sure to please every taste bud. The farm itself is stunning, with vast lavender fields offering a serene and picturesque setting. They also have excellent seating arrangements, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy the view. There’s plenty of parking available, and the friendly staff ensure a welcoming experience. Highly recommended for a sweet treat and a peaceful day out.

This is a great place. Walk around and relax! Click a few pictures! We found this lovely Lavendar farm and shop! The surroundings are absolutely beautiful. And there are lavender flavoured ice cream! Not to mention products made with Lavendar oils etc.

First time visit. It was drizzling when we reached, but it certainly didn’t dampen our spirits when enjoying the delicious lavender ice cream. We were also allowed by the owner to explore the lavender farm for free (due to the “miserable weather” in her words; normal charge is NZ$5). We also bought a set of 3 Lavender oils (NZ$81). Would visit again when travelling between Mount Cook and other areas such as Lake Tekapo, Twizel and Queenstown.

Amazing lavender field located on the road to Mt. Cook. This place is so good to have a small rest and relax. You can enter this place by paying a small fee of $5. There are a lot of lavender products available to purchase at the office. Also, there is a ice cream truck which sells a many flavoured ice cream including lavender. Inside the field you can sit and relax on the chairs placed between the plants. Also, there are a few bikes you can ride between the lavenders. The place has a great view too.

Must go place in New Zealand, and if you’re on the way to mt cook. The most beautiful lavender farm I have ever seen and because it is 600 meters below the sea level so you still can see this in January ☺️ feeling blessed with this scenic spot.

This is such a hidden gem! We found this lovely Lavendar farm and shop! The surroundings are absolutely beautiful. And there are lavender flavoured ice cream! Not to mention products made with Lavendar oils etc.

Honestly, should be a 4.5 star Sashimi is fresh and neatly packed with chopsticks and soy sauce and wasabi. Smoked salmon tastes good when eaten with sandwich. The view is great, but can be hot in the afternoon. Small shop but serves it's purpose well as a pit stop. Many tourists, toilet is clean.

Like many other tourists, we visited this place. Sashimi was nice and fresh. It seems prices are always increasing. 100gm for $15. 500gm large was $53. I also tried the hot smoked salmon to try. Prices are better than High Country Salmon if you want to only try sashimi only.

When you come to Mount Cook, you must try the salmon sashimi here. This shop is more suitable for takeaway or a simple meal. There’s only one table inside, but there are several outdoor tables where you can enjoy delicious food by the riverside while admiring the scenery and the distant Mount Cook.

The salmon was super delicious and incredibly crunchy, with a perfectly balanced taste. We came back twice! The sashimi is genuinely unbeatable. It was quite windy to sit outside, and finding an empty spot inside this small shop was a challenge. With better weather, the experience would be completely perfect.

Salmon that melts in your mouth like butter… and the most stunning views of Mount Cook! You’ll definitely want to make a stop here. Located next to the i-site. Plenty of parking for all vehicle types, and clean public toilets. This is a great place for a leisurely picnic, coffee or a quick snack on the banks of Lake Pukaki. There are picnic tables along the water front, and a picture perfect spot for noteworthy Instagram posts. The Salmon Shop has the cleanest sashimi I’ve ever tasted. So deliciously melt-in-your-mouth. It was the best I’ve ever had. They have small containers with about 10 to 12 pieces for $15, served with wasabi and soy. Their smoked salmon dip is $15 each or 20% off if you buy two (which we did). This was a beautiful treat we enjoyed later at sunset paired with a lovely crisp glass of Pinot Gris. They also sold fresh caviar and wasabi, different cuts of salmon, crackers and some great condiments that pair beautifully. You could also purchase cold drinks, filter coffee, tea, and a yummy hot “lemon honey and ginger” drink (which was so good we came back for seconds). This was great for soothing my partner’s sore throat he’d been struggling with. A small section of the shop had upmarket tourist souvenirs which were far better than many of the junky things you might find at the usual tourist shop. Whether you’re a salmon lover or not I definitely recommend a stop here. The view alone is worth Gold, and I’m sure you’ll be a sashimi convert once you’ve tried this most delicious treat!

Fresh salmon and with the best view to eat at. I would recommend if you are in the area. People had also brought their own noodles to eat with salmon. Which I thought was a great idea

Fresh salmon sashimi that are cut too small. Very nice view around the place (scenery is not part of the shop, is free). Quite expensive, $15 for 100g (1 small box). Place is often crowded but they serve very fast.

A lovely centre with teachers committed to high quality teaching and learning for all tamariki. The teachers have created a space where the tamariki can explore within an environment that caters for all age groups and are warm and welcoming to whanau as well.

My grandchildren love this place and all of the staff! Especially Nana Barbara.

Since so many good reviews we make a special trip here to try. We have ordered the fresh salmon, some sushi's to try it. Salmon meat tasted good the the cut is thicker comparing to other restaurants. We tried the chicken sushi, personally find it is not that great. The indoor sitting area is not too big so could sit outside especially in warm day.

An absolute must visit! I am glad I came here. There is a sashimi and smoked salmon section with other goods like tea pots, souvenirs and then there is a cafe which overlooks the salmon farm. They have sashimi that tastes buttery and rich and smoked salmon with various flavours (really liked it). Inside the cafe they also serve sushi. If you go outside on the deck there are pellets that you can feed the young salmon. Overall, very pleasant experience. Staff were friendly and helpful. Thank you to the young lady in the fish shop and deli, you were helpful and also thank you to the tall young guy in the cafe.

Popped here for dinner whilst staying in twizel! There is a mix of preprepared food and menu items - seating is all self service! The food was very tasty we got a few things to share! The salmon was all very tasty! Only issue we had was my dad wanted a well done steak which they only cook their steak to be medium rare.

Had dinner at High Country Salmon near Twizel — great experience overall! The salmon sashimi was fresh, tender, and full of flavour. The chowder was a little on the salty side, but the ingredients tasted very fresh. The fries were perfectly cooked — crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. A nice spot to enjoy good salmon dishes with a lovely atmosphere by the water.

Unfortunately, this restaurant did not meet my expectations. While the salmon was fresh, the sushi itself was cold and tasted as though it had been pre-prepared. I ordered the cooked salmon sushi and the pork belly, but neither dish was enjoyable. The view is decent, but overall, the experience did not justify the visit. I do not plan on returning.

It is different that you order and pay for your food. You then find your own seats and they deliver you with the food. We ordered platter for two. Nice presentation but if you are there for the salmon, order salmon sushi or sashimi only which we should have done. We stayed at Mount Cook Hermitage and this Salmon restaurant would be the closest at 60 km away. Also it is 3km from Twizel, a small village from Mount Cook that you can get reasonable priced food.

Came after the hype and the place was busy with people when we got there. We had to line up for quite long for food orders. When it was our turn the server told us that their kitchen was closed as they had too many orders to make and couldn’t make new orders anymore. We were very disappointed of course as we came all the way to try their salmon and all we could get was anything ready at the counter. We got some sashimi and sushi for sharing. Honestly they tasted average though salmon was fresh. They had a pond behind the restaurant where you could feed the fishes in it. We quickly finished our lunch as the place was busy and people were waiting for seats. We then went over to the shop next to the restaurant to have a look at what they sell.

We were in a group of 4, so we had two cabins. Our experience was the most fabulous and exciting two night stay. We were greeted like family friends and found everything just beautiful. Laying in bed of an evening we were able to view endless satellites and shooting stars plus lucky enough for snow on the mountains right next to us and the gorgeous farm and wildlife animals. The food in town of an evening was fabulous and an easy five min drive. We would recommend this stay to all that are available to do so, Just Brilliant

Outstanding!!! This has been on my 'bucket' list for a long time and was worth the wait. We were lucky to have both clear skies and a thunder storm and both were spectacular with the glass roof and remote location. Service was terrific and they cater for coeliacs with breakfast. Highly recommend.

Look, it was a cloudy rainy night and we couldn’t see a single star but I would still 100% stay here again. You cannot control the weather and actually it was cool to hear the raindrops on the glass roof. Lovely spot. Exactly as advertised. Can’t wait to give it another shot on my next trip.

The place is truly magical. We spent a wonderful evening soaking in the hot tub under a starry night sky, losing track of time until 10 PM. It's an unparalleled way to connect with nature. We can't wait to return in autumn!

Very cool accommodation, super unique and definitely a highlight of our NZ trip. Got an awesome view of the stars and really enjoyed the hot tub + the property it’s on is beautiful!

The SkyScape accommodation was amazing. Even though we had cloudy conditions our entire stay, the room was still an oasis. We thoroughly enjoyed the soaking tub and complete remoteness with amazing views. The bed is super comfortable, bathroom and kitchen area were pristine. Twizel is a very small town so visitors should be prepared ahead for food options. The skyscape had all the essentials for breakfast and even mimosas! Its essential to arrive during the daylight to be sure an easy drive to find your room.

It was an excellent experience, we enjoyed the peace and the sound of nature in the room. The room is well equipped and provided an excellent vibes and coziness. Highly recommend it!! We love it very much!

One of the best place to experience glide. It was my first time and absolutely thrilled from the experience. Instructors are one the best skilled & very professional. I will definitely do it again.... Thanks to Phil & Sabrina for putting a smile on my face and heart

Fantastic experience! A 'must do' once in your lifetime at least! Very expensive for local retired 'kiwis' though. Gliding is sooo different from scenic plane flights though, yes you see the scenery..in fact more as there is no visual restrictions..but it's the feeling of quiet, calm & tranquility just gliding like a bird for half an hour..awesome 😍

A great experience gliding on Omarama, don't hesitate, just sigh up! My instructor Milan is a good pilot!

Unbelievably good. Modern, high performance gliders, great soaring environment, friendly staff, highly experienced instructors all in some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet

My pilot was fantastic and this was an experience I will not soon forget. The views were breathtaking and my pilots knowledge of the area made this so much more enjoyable! I will be back for the Mr Cook trip!

Pulled up on a whim, took the plunge was completely blown away by how awesome gliding is completely different from powered aircraft. The staff and pilot were great. The glider was a top of the line performance glider. Highly recommend worth the $$$

Amazing experience.. Very friendly staff and instructors

A lovely spot to spend a relaxing time in the hot tub whilst looking out over a little pond and enjoying the wildlife. Shame there aren't showers in the pods next to the hot tub (we were in 2) they may be in others though. We went straight after walking round the clay cliffs so a shower before we got in would have been great but I wasn't about to have one in the main building and run to the hot tub!

We came here as a stop by for our honeymoon, we had just come from a wet, cold, freezing Milford sounds which we had just spent $250 on a cruise. These hot tubs were God sent. This absolutely transformed our trip around, we would trade that $250 on the Milford cruise EVERYDAY. I cannot rate this place higher enough, the lovely lady we met while we were there on the 02/10 was amazing, engaging and supportive. The staff were exceptional. This will be a staple recommendation for when people ask us what to do on their South Island trips

Amazing hot tub & sauna! Private and peaceful, right next to a lovely pond with gorgeous view of the mountains. Perfect place to relax after a cold rainy day in Mt Cook. Very clean and well-maintained facilities. Highly recommended!

Nice wood heated hot tub experience. Pool very hot - added some cold water to adjust better for us- you can adjust the temp up or down. Pools are private and clothing optional. Pretty views over pond/ducks and to hills. You are given water to drink. You can buy drinks from them (full bar). No outside food or drink allowed. Private cold shower available at the tub or warm showers at main building for after. Towels are provided. The cold shower felt good though after getting so warm in tub. Really enjoyed our private hot tub experience.

AMAZING! Highly recommend a stop here if you're in the area. The tub was on the side of a lake with the snowy mountains in the distance, talk about views! Loved that the water is so fresh. Very cool the tubs are heated by fire too. The facilities were immaculate, very clean! Loved being able to jump out of the tub and have a fresh, cold shower, then hop back in the tub. Privacy was amazing, we had our own changing rooms. The staff were super friendly too, thanks!

My son and I popped in for a gorgeous 90min session two weeks ago. It had been a dream of mine to visit for at least a decade. I'm so glad we did! Such a beautiful experience - a nice hot tub with perfect post card views.. Thanks for having us. We'll be back next year 💛

Beautiful way to spend the morning, we booked the private sauna & Tub combo. Both hot and ready to go when we arrived. Cool shower outside the Sauna was great. A warm welcoming and clear instructions on arrival as well as towels to borrow which would be great for those passing through unprepared! A photo of the sauna as we struggled to find any online to show what kind of heater is used. Will definitely be back!

here you can drop by to have a meal, enjoy a coffee, and shop for souvenirs all in one place! they have a great variety of souvenirs to choose from. we’re glad we decided to make an impromptu stop here. the staff are friendly too.

Our breakfast/brunch spot after coming down from Mt Cook, which turned out to be a very good meal! 🏔️ firstly, the view out of the cafe was amazing, and it even came with a fireplace which attracted many diners to take photos with! There’s also several sheep out at the back of the cafe, though they aren’t fully engaged with us 🐑 ☕ coffee was alright, ordered the large one and shared it with my wife 🥞 the pancakes were amazing, opted for the yoghurt option with additional bacon and absolutely loved it - definitely helped that there’s a good amount of maple syrup, which made it sinful yet delicious. The fruits and yoghurt helped a little with the diet for sure though 🤤 Avocado toast was good as well, mushrooms was well flavoured and the portion was good enough to fill us up for hours. Definitely a good spot to stop by for a meal or just check out their shop!

A pit stop for us between Tekapo and Wanaka in the small town of Omarama but what a find. This place is excellent for a travel break if driving or if you are on a coach trip as many did. We ordered choc fudge cake and drinks …all were great. The selection of food available was very good and the brekkies served looked huge. Highly recommend plus if it’s a cold day they will probably have the open fire on the go!!

Super cute place that we stepped in while taking a break during our roadtrip. We were super surprised by the cute decor and the friendly atmosphere. We didn‘t try any of the food but there were some nice options available. The drinks (Mocca and Americano) were great. We also enjoyed strolling through the shops afterwards. The bathrooms were super clean and cozy as well. Would definitely come back!

Dont order the ramen and wanton soup. It cannot caompare to auckland nice food take away nz$15.5 wanyon soup. This place is good for resting before tekapo.

We stopped for coffee and the loo on the way to Queenstown. It has a lovely fireplace so on a dull rainy day it's a perfect stop. It's a bit big a "tour group" stoping place though, so not a cosy quiet atmosphere. Cofee was average but service was excellent.

This cafe was a lovely stop on our way up to Lake Pukaki with our 13 month old daughter. I especially love the fresh flowers they put up around the cafe when opening in the morning, it really adds a nice touch and shows they like to make it a nice experience for customers. Service was friendly, coffee and food came out quickly and we both enjoyed our meals. They have high chairs available for babies, great grab and go food options if you’re in a pinch and clean toilets. It’s attached to a lovely gift shop with leather goods, soaps, etc. If we have time we’ll likely come back for lunch on our way back from our day trip.