Admire Aoraki Mt Cook and the Magnificent Mackenzie District
- Jesse Holmes
- Oct 3, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 13, 2025
Nau Mai, Haere Mai
Welcome to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park!
This week we depart Ōtautahi Christchurch and head inland towards what we believe (albeit biasedly!) is one of the South Island’s most beautiful destinations, Aoraki Mt Cook. But don’t take our word for it, located in the stunning Mackenzie district, come along and experience it for yourself! Although our Mt Cook Day Tours might have the earliest starts, you will not be disappointed aboard this visually stunning trip south.
As the sun rises and glows over the city (a special highlight in itself), pick ups for our famous Mt Cook Day Tours occur between 6:15am and 6:40am, before leaving the central city by 7:00am. We then travel south to Geraldine; the gateway town between Christchurch and Mt Cook. While it only serves as a toilet stop on our tours, Geraldine is an idyllic town rich in history. The Waihī River, which flows through the township, was a known site of mahinga kai, or food gathering place, for local Ngāi Tahu iwi. Rock paintings and Māori archaeological sites are also located nearby at Kakahu. However, as European influence arrived, land was purchased from the Māori for sheep farming and forestry, with the timber from a large variety of trees in local Talbot Forest attracting early settlers to the area. Nowadays, agriculture and tourism are Geraldine’s primary products.
Continuing inland, our next stop is Fairlie, a buzzing hub for skiers and snowboarders in the winter months. If you are travelling with us on a tour or transfer from Christchurch and Tekapo, to Mt Cook and beyond, this is where we will pick up your pre-ordered lunch from the famous Fairlie Bakehouse and you will be able to enjoy some of their delicious kai (food), that they make with love. While pies are not part of our lunch order, they produce around 2,500 of them everyday!
In the centre of Fairlie, you’ll find a statue of James Mackenzie, who this region is named after and is a local hero…of sorts. After immigrating from Scotland to Australia and then New Zealand in the 1800s, he was caught stealing about 1,000 sheep from a station (allegedly, he claims that he had a deed of sale) but managed to escape. He then travelled about 160km (99 miles) until he was caught in Lyttleton and charged with a 5 five year prison sentence. However, he managed to escape twice, but was caught within three days each time and then finally clasped in irons and closely monitored. After only nine months he was released because of issues that were found in his inquiry and trial. In his determined honour, the Mackenzie basin was named after him, which is where you’ll be travelling through next.
Departing Fairlie you’ll travel through Burke’s Pass towards Tekapo. This drive is about 30 minutes, and if it’s a nice day, we recommend having your cameras ready as you round the final bend for a spectacular first look of Lake Tekapo. Known for its vibrant, milky turquoise water, the lake’s unique colour is the result of finely ground glacial silt, or "rock flour," suspended in the meltwater. The particles scatter light, reflecting the blue and green wavelengths that give the lake its signature hue. Our guide will allow plenty of time for you to take photos of the stunning scenery and at the famous Church of the Good Shepherd. Whether it’s spring and the lupins are out, or it's winter and the area is covered in a thick blanket of white snow, this is a New Zealand ‘must-do’! Near the church you will also see a statue of a dog; this is Friday, the loyal friend of the infamous James Mackenzie. Rumour has it that he continued to drive the sheep even after his master's arrest, and gave the authorities a lot of trouble trying to capture him!
For those interested in staying in Tekapo overnight, we also offer 1 way transfers and can organise a stargazing adventure for you on the night of your stay in this internationally renowned Dark Sky Reserve. Recognized by the International Dark Sky Association, following a detailed application made by the Aoraki Mackenzie Starlight Working Party, its formation was the first in the Southern Hemisphere and the first to be declared with gold tier status; the highest that can be accorded. Already in Lake Tekapo? No worries! We also offer Mt Cook Day Tours from Tekapo, and will pick you up on the way through.
From here we will make our way to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park via Lake Pukaki. If time permits, our guide will stop here so that you can take more photos of this stunning glacial fed lake before arriving at the day’s focal destination. One thing is for sure on this tour; your camera feed will be packed with incredible photos by the end of the day!
As the highest mountain in Aotearoa at 3724m, Mt Cook is a part of our Southern Alps (Kā Tiritiri o te Moana), which you probably flew over if you arrived in Christchurch or Queenstown by plane. In pūrākau (Māori oral history), Aoraki is believed to translate to ‘Cloud piercer’ and was a voyager with his brothers. It tells of the brothers’ waka (canoe) tipping over, and as they stood on it, the cold wind turned them to stone. Aoraki - being the tallest brother - became the highest mountain in the Southern Alps, with his brothers and their upturned waka forming the rest of the South Island; Te Waipounamu. As such, Aoraki is one of the most sacred ancestors for local iwi.
The mountain itself is our nation's highest peak with high levels of glaciation and rapidly changing weather, yet it remains a popular and well-loved challenge for mountaineers. The first reported ascent was in the 1880s, with the first completed ascent a decade later. Of course, our very own Sir Edmund Hillary also made the trek up to the top of this mountain before his famous ascent to the top of Mt Everest in 1953. In nod to this incredible accomplishment, you can find a statue of him outside the Hermitage Hotel. The ridge he ascended was also renamed ‘Hillary Ridge’ in 2011.
Today, there are plenty of flatter tracks in the national park for you to enjoy after spending the morning travelling through the Mackenzie. We recommend the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint track, or the Hooker Valley. Both are suitable for people of all athletic ability, and take about an hour and half to two hours to walk. After all, what better way to stretch your legs than a small trek through some of New Zealand's most beautiful sights? While we are not able to offer the Hooker Valley Track in its glory at this stage due to restoration of the second suspension bridge (the whole track is rescheduled to re-open in August 2026), the Viewpoint Track has become a popular alternative with spectacular views of Haupapa/Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s longest glacier.
If hiking isn’t your cup of tea, never fear! We also offer options from the air! For those after a once in a lifetime opportunity, our wonderful tour partners INFLITE offer a variety of scenic flight options in helicopters, ski planes, or both! Please ensure you contact us in advance if this is something you are interested in to ensure we reserve a time that works with our tour. Options range from 25 minutes to 55 minutes, with all departing from Mt Cook Airport. Our friendly guide will be on hand to assist with check-in before departure.
After exploring this stunning alpine region, you can choose to return with us to Ōtautahi Christchurch or Tekapo, stay in Mt Cook, or head further south to Queenstown. We also offer transfers from Queenstown to Mt Cook or Christchurch if you wish to take this tour in reverse.
Equally, if you’d like to take more time to experience the Mackenzie district, we can help arrange a multi-day tour that fits your budget and time frame. There’s plenty to explore in this area; we don’t think you’ll ever get bored with so much to see and do! Kevin certainly thinks so, with the park being an ideal environment for Kea. If you’re lucky, you’ll see him there! Otherwise, he can be found in his more famous home - Arthur’s Pass - , which we will introduce you to next week.
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