Mackenzie District
Aoraki/Mt. Cook
Mackenzie District
The Mackenzie District encompasses a large part of the Canterbury Region and includes mountains, lakes, rivers and glaciers. Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is located here. Home of the highest mountains and the longest glaciers in the country, it offers the towering peaks of Mount Aorakai and Mount Cook, and the Tasman and Hooker glaciers. The district has several lakes including beautiful Pukaki, Ruataniwha and Tekapo. The alpine town of Twizel is the largest settlement in the district, and Mount Cook Village provides services in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
Key activities in the Mackenzie District include mountain hiking, glacier viewing, skiing, and mountaineering. There are easier hikes such as the Mount Hooker Track and longer ones such as the Mueller Pass Hike. Due to the region’s clean and dry air and dark skies, stargazing is a popular activity. In fact, there are world class astronomical observatories located here.
Stay
The Hermitage, Mt. Cook
Mackenzie Country Hotel
The Hermitage
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Rick Garrett
I’m a Professional Travel Adviser with over 40 years of travel industry experience. The countries I specialize in include Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, French Polynesia (aka Tahiti), and the Cook Islands. I’ve made dozens of trips to the South Pacific so am able to provide you with first hand knowledge and experience while creating the custom itinerary that is perfect for YOU, and then take care of everything from A to Z, before, during and after your amazing Down Under adventure. Because the journeys I create for my clients are born out of my desire to share my authentic travel experiences, each one is unique, and designed to match your interests, tastes and budget.