Where to stay when visiting Aoraki Mount Cook – We’ll help you choose the best location
If you’re planning a trip to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, one of the most stunning parts of Aotearoa New Zealand, you’re probably wondering where exactly you should stay.
That’s understandable, as there are a number of locations near the national park, each with their own pros and cons.
To help you decide the best spot for your stay, we’ve summarised the advantages and disadvantages of staying at Mount Cook Village, Glentanner, Lake Pukaki, Tekapo, and Twizel.
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Where to stay when visiting Aoraki Mt Cook
Mount Cook Village – Right in the national park
Advantages
Proximity & convenience
Mount Cook Village is the closest base to the amazing Mount Cook walks, including the iconic Hooker Valley Track.
There, you’ll also be well-located for activities like scenic heli flights and the glacier boat trip.
By staying at Mount Cook Village, you’ll maximise your time in the national park, minimise your time on the road, and you’ll be conveniently close if you need to make a last-minute change of plans due to weather.
Accessible by bus
The Intercity bus carries passengers into Mount Cook Village, so it is possible to get there without a rental car.
Scenic views
Mount Cook Village is the only location on this list that is literally in the national park.
As such, you’ll enjoy amazing views from many accommodations in the area.
It’s also part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, so the night skies are spectacular.
A reasonable range of accommodations
You’ll find a fair selections of accommodation options at the village – from (relative) budget to luxury.
Be warned though, even a ‘budget-friendly’ motel in Aoraki Mount Cook Village isn’t cheap.
Disadvantages
Limited services
Mount Cook Village offers fewer dining and shopping options compared to larger towns nearby.
The village does not have a supermarket, and the quality of the few eateries is often not up to the standard of other parts of New Zealand.
High costs
Accommodation and food in Mount Cook Village is generally more expensive due to its remote location and limited options.
Isolation
When you stay at Mount Cook Village, your stay will really be based around the national park.
That’s great if the weather is good, but if the weather is bad around the mountains, you might find yourself stuck – unless you’re willing to drive out of the village to somewhere like Tekapo.
Glentanner – Close but a little removed
Advantages
Proximity
Though not as close as Mount Cook Village, a stay at Glentanner will still have you to the village faster than a stay at Twizel or Tekapo.
The drive to Mount Cook Village is 22 km drive (which takes approximately 20 minutes).
Get more for your money
Glentanner, though basic, offers much better value for money than Mount Cook Village.
Disadvantages
Limited services
Like at Mount Cook Village, food options are limited in Glentanner.
They have an on-site cafe but we recommend you plan to self-cater in the kitchen there.
Limited activities
Glentanner really is just a place to spend the night, so you’ll need to travel away from your accommodation for activities.
I wasn’t sure if this was an advantage or disadvantage, so I’ve included it here for you to decide…
Though the Intercity bus stops at Glentanner, onward transport is challenging. So though it’s accessible by long-distance bus, we recommend having a rental car to make the most of Aoraki Mount Cook.
Lake Pukaki – A memorable stay at Lakestone Lodge
Advantages
Top notch personal service
If you’re looking for personal service, memorable views and the most delicious food, Lakestone Lodge is a destination accommodation provider on the road between Aoraki Mount Cook and Tekapo.
It’s the type of accommodation that’s worth going out of your way for!
Relative Proximity
If you’re not staying at Mount Cook Village or Glentanner, Lakestone Lodge, on the shores of Lake Pukaki, is the next closest option.
It is a 60 km drive (about 45 minutes) from the village.
Disadvantages
You’ll need your own car
Though the Intercity bus drives past, it is not an official stop, nor is there one nearby.
Shuttles are also available upon request.
However, as Lakestone Lodge is a destination accommodation, it’s much easier to get there using your rental car.
Tekapo – A picturesque alternative with great facilities
Advantages
Scenic beauty
Though it doesn’t have views of the national park, Tekapo is one of the most picturesque places in New Zealand. Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd are both very popular with photographers.
Best for stargazing
Tekapo is also part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, making it great for stargazing.
As an added bonus though, you’ll have four different companies to choose from, allowing you to stargaze however you like.
Our top picks are Chameleon Stargazing and Silver River – both of which are available at a discount to you as an NZTT member!
Amenities
You’ll find more dining and shopping options in Tekapo than at Mount Cook Village.
In fact, Tekapo has some very good restaurants and a well-equipped Four Square supermarket.
It also has a great hot pool complex called Tekapo Springs (which offers ice skating in the winter and an inflatable waterslide in the summer) and other activities including a petting farm, hunting, fishing, 4WD tours and horse riding.
Accommodation Variety
Tekapo offers a wider range of accommodation types, often at more competitive prices than you’ll find at Mount Cook Village.
Choose from campgrounds and holiday homes, to more traditional hotels.
Suitable for non-drivers
If you’re travelling in Aotearoa New Zealand by public transport, Tekapo is a suitable base.
The Intercity bus runs to Tekapo, and a shuttle service is available to then take you in and out of Aoraki Mount Cook.
However, as with all locations on this list, it’s easier to have your own rental car.
Disadvantages
Distance
Tekapo is approximately 100 km from Mount Cook Village. It takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to make this drive.
However, half of the drive is alongside Lake Pukaki, and looking out to the national park, so it’s not a hardship, by any means.
It is, however, less convenient if you’re planning to visit Mount Cook across a number of days, or if you’re planning for an early start for your scenic heli flight or heli hike.
It can feel like a ‘touristy’ town
Word has spread about how beautiful Lake Tekapo is, so this small town can quickly feel quite crowded and ‘touristy’ – particularly in peak season.
Twizel – A more local experience
Advantages
Relative Proximity by road
Twizel is closer to Mount Cook than Tekapo.
It is approximately 65 km from the village, and takes about 50 minutes to drive in.
Amenities
Like Tekapo, Twizel offers a good range of services, including supermarkets, cafes and restaurants.
It also has more accommodation options than Mount Cook Village, almost always at lower prices. In fact, Twizel often has the most affordable accommodation of anywhere on this list.
Mountain Chalets Motel.
Be aware though, both Twizel and Tekapo are small towns by international standards.
Quieter
Twizel is generally quieter than Tekapo, offering a more relaxed atmosphere.
It tends to attract more local travellers, while Tekapo can be more ‘touristy’ (but beautiful).
Disadvantages
Distance
Just like Tekapo, if you choose to stay in Twizel, you’ll still need to drive yourself to Aoraki Mount Cook to do the walks and activities there.
This can be somewhat inconvenient for hikers wanting immediate access to the national park.
Less scenic
While the area around Twizel is still beautiful, it doesn’t offer the same immediate lake or mountain views as Mount Cook Village or Lake Tekapo.
No guided stargazing
Although still good, the stargazing conditions are still great in Twizel, they don’t have a guided stargazing experience.
Fewer tourist activities
Twizel does not have as many planned activities and attractions for tourists, so if you stay there, chances are, you’ll be driving elsewhere during the day.
More difficult for non-drivers
Though the Intercity bus runs to Twizel, travelling on to Aoraki Mount Cook is challenging.
Because of this, we recommend Twizel for travellers with a rental car.
Which is best for you?
Unsurprisingly, there’s no right or wrong answer here.
By weighing the factors we’ve shared, you can decide on the best place to base yourself, depending on your preferences for proximity, amenities, accommodation variety and general vibe.
Happy travel planning!
