Queenstown: Mount Cook Small Group Scenic Day Tour

About This Experience

This small-group day trip gives you the drive from Queenstown to Aoraki/Mount Cook, a set of photo stops on the way, and 2.5 to 3 hours in the national park to spend as you like. It suits travelers who want to see New Zealand's highest mountain, at 3,724 m, without driving about 12 hours of mountain highway themselves. A local guide does the driving and fills the road time with stories about the land and the people who settled it.

The route runs through the Kawarau Gorge and along Lake Dunstan, over Lindis Pass for a photo stop, then pauses for 30 minutes in Omarama for coffee and a bathroom break. A 10-minute stop at Lake Pūkaki gives you the long view up the lake to the Southern Alps. On the way home you stop for 15 minutes at High Country Salmon and 10 minutes at Jackson Orchards, where you can buy fruit and local snacks.

At Mount Cook the time is yours. You can take a short alpine walk, start along the Hooker Valley Track, or sit with a coffee and the mountain view. The full Hooker Valley Track is 10 km return, and DOC estimates about 3 hours of walking, so reaching Hooker Lake inside the free time needs a brisk, steady pace. Walks are self-guided, and the guide does not walk with you.

If you want more than a walk, you can add a scenic flight or a glacier hike at Mount Cook at extra cost. To confirm a flight, the operator needs every guest's name and weight when you book. Lunch is not included, though there are several chances to buy food along the way, and snacks and water are provided in the minibus. Families should give children's ages on the booking so the right seats are ready.

Highlights

• Choose your own time at Mount Cook: a short alpine walk, part or all of the Hooker Valley Track, or simply the mountain view
• Option to add a scenic flight or glacier hike at Mount Cook for an extra charge
• 10-minute photo stop at Lake Pūkaki, looking up the lake to Aoraki/Mount Cook (3,724 m)
• Photo stop at Lindis Pass on the high road between Central Otago and the Mackenzie Basin
• 30-minute break in Omarama for coffee and food
• High Country Salmon (15 minutes) and Jackson Orchards (10 minutes) on the drive home

What's Included

• ✓ Pickup and drop-off at 28 locations, mostly Queenstown hotels, plus Frankton Terminus and Cromwell
• ✓ Guided small-group tour with commentary from your local guide
• ✓ 2.5 to 3 hours of free time in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
• ✓ Snacks, with water available on board
• ✓ Booster seat for children aged 7 and younger

Not Included

• Optional activities at Mount Cook, such as scenic flights and glacier hikes
• Lunch (several chances to buy food along the way)
• Guided walks: all walks are self-guided
• Child safety seats, which are available to rent

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes with grippy soles
• Rain gear
• Sunglasses, sun hat and sunscreen
• Warm layers for changeable weather
• Money for lunch and any optional activities

Good to Know & Caveats

• New Zealand weather is unpredictable at any time of year. You will be warm inside the minibus, but dress for all seasons and wear shoes that cope with a bit of mud.
• Give the ages of any children on the booking.
• The listing includes a booster seat for children 7 and under but also lists child safety seats as a paid rental, so confirm which your child needs when you book.
• If you add a scenic flight, provide every guest's name and weight; the operator needs these to confirm the flight.
• The full Hooker Valley Track takes about 3 hours return by DOC's estimate, so with 2.5 to 3 hours free you may need to turn back before Hooker Lake.
• Drones, non-folding wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Meeting Point

Pickup is included from 28 locations, mostly central Queenstown and Frankton hotels plus Frankton Terminus and the Cromwell Fruit Sculpture; choose yours when booking. Drop-off is at the same set of locations.