Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park at a glance
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park surrounds the highest mountain in New Zealand, 3,724 m by the Hermitage's figure. Mount Cook Village is its base, at the end of State Highway 80, 55 km from the junction with SH8. The park is run by the Department of Conservation (DOC), and this site has no connection to DOC or the park.
The name is Aoraki / Mount Cook. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu links the double name to its Settlement and does not treat Aoraki as a plain tourist translation. The Hooker Valley is sacred to Ngāi Tahu. The park and the Mackenzie Basin also form a Dark Sky Reserve, designated in 2012 and covering 4,367 km² according to DarkSky International.
Visitor centre and park rules
Start at the DOC Visitor Centre in the village, then follow the rules below.
DOC Visitor Centre
It is at 1 Larch Grove in Mount Cook Village, open daily, and entry is free. Hours are 08:30–17:00 from October to April and 08:30–16:30 from May to September. It has information on tracks, mountain conditions and the intentions system for climbers and trampers.
Drones, pets and fire
Recreational drones are banned in the park, and commercial use on protected land needs a permit. Pets are not allowed. There is a permanent fire ban, including fireworks. Take your rubbish with you.
Kea and other wildlife
Kea are protected. Do not feed them, and keep your food out of their reach.
Lakes and glacier lakes
Do not walk on lakes, lake ice or icebergs. Moraines and glacier lakes are dangerous, and DOC warns of hypothermia. Do not eat plants: tutu is poisonous.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park tours
Scenic flights, glacier boat trips, stargazing and day trips to the park, with live prices and availability.
What costs money in the park
Prices as listed in 2026, in New Zealand dollars. They change.
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Park entry | – | No general entry ticket in the current DOC pages |
| White Horse Hill parking | NZ$2.50 per 30 min, up to NZ$25 per day | The first 20 minutes are free if you leave in that time; card only |
| Parking, arrive one day and leave the next | NZ$50 | Not a permit to sleep in the vehicle |
| Tasman Valley parking | Free | Car park for the Tasman Glacier View track |
| White Horse Hill campsite | Adults NZ$20 per night, children 5–17 NZ$10, under 5 free | Book online ahead; 2.5 km from the village |
| Mueller Hut | Adults NZ$50–62 per night | Depends on season and weekday |
| International Visitor Levy | NZ$100 | Paid with the visa or NZeTA request, if it applies; not a park ticket |
Parking cannot be reserved, and a permit does not guarantee a space. If you do not pay, DOC can issue a breach notice of NZ$75. The parking fee began as a pilot in December 2025, and on 2 July 2026 DOC decided to continue it. Do not rely on older guides that say it ends in June.
An access charge for international visitors is only a proposal. DOC consulted on it from June to August 2026 for four sites, including Aoraki/Mount Cook, and a bill was introduced on 7 May 2026. The law must take effect first. Treat the park as free to enter today, but do not assume it stays that way.
Walks in the park
The main tracks around the village and the Tasman Valley.
| Walk | Start | What DOC says |
|---|---|---|
| Hooker Valley Track | White Horse Hill | Three swing bridges; about 5 km one way from the DOC stages |
| Tasman Glacier View | Tasman Valley car park | 300 or more steps; 40 minutes return |
| Tasman Lake and River Track | Tasman Valley car park | 2.5 km, 50 minutes return |
| Kea Point | Village or White Horse Hill | View of Mount Sefton, Mueller Lake and Aoraki; 180 m of height gain over 3 km |
| Governors Bush | Public shelter, Bowen Drive | Forest walk with a view of Wakefield Ridge and Aoraki |
| Red Tarns | Public shelter, via Black Birch Stream | Steep steps, 300 m of climbing, a view over the village and valley |
| Sealy Tarns | Via the Kea Point Track | About 2,200 steps and 600 m of height gain |
| Mueller Hut | Via Sealy Tarns | Alpine route, not a maintained walking track |
The Mueller Hut route is for people with alpine experience, and avalanches are possible there. Ask the visitor centre about conditions before you go. If you are planning more of the island, the west coast has its own guide at Franz Josef Glacier, and Fiordland has a guide to Milford Sound.
Keep going
Pages for the next step of your plan.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park: frequently asked questions
Is there an entry fee for the national park?
The current DOC pages show no general entry charge. You pay for parking at White Horse Hill, huts, camping and commercial activities. The International Visitor Levy of NZ$100 is separate and is collected with the visa or NZeTA request. A separate access charge is only a proposal.
When is the DOC Visitor Centre open?
Every day, from 08:30 to 17:00 in October to April and from 08:30 to 16:30 in May to September. Entry is free, and the address is 1 Larch Grove.
Can I fly a drone in the park?
No. Recreational drones are banned, and commercial use on protected land needs a permit.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Pets are not allowed in the park.
Can I stay overnight in my car at the car park?
No. Parking overnight is not a permit to sleep in a vehicle, and camping in the car park is banned. The White Horse Hill campsite costs NZ$20 per adult per night and has to be booked online.
Is the national park the same as the Dark Sky Reserve?
Not quite. The reserve includes the park and the Mackenzie Basin and covers 4,367 km². DarkSky International lists it as designated in 2012. It is not a UNESCO title, and clear nights are never guaranteed. See Lake Tekapo for stargazing.