At 3,754m Mount Cook (its Maori name is Aoraki) is New Zealand's highest mountain. It towers above a splendid cast of massive snow-clad peaks that make up Mount Cook National Park. Nudging one side of Mt Cook is the mighty Tasman Glacier, a 30km giant and one of the longest outside the Himalayas.

Mount Cook village is an easy five-hour drive from Christchurch. We recommend visitors take the route from Christchurch to Fairlie, gateway to the Mackenzie Country. From here the road passes through a land of lakes, vast open spaces and golden, tussock-covered hills rolling towards the towering Southern Alps.

On the way you will pass turquoise glacial lakes such as Lake Tekapo, on whose shores is the stone Church of the Good Shepherd, which has a spectacular view of the Southern Alps framed by its altar window.

the route from Christchurch to Fairlie, gateway to the Mackenzie Country. From here the road passes through a land of lakes, vast open spaces and golden, tussock-covered hills rolling towards the towering Southern Alps.

Mt Cook is served by a range of coach/bus Operators and Air New Zealand Link air services to and from Christchurch and Queenstown.