[2025 Mount Cook Village Stay] Travel Guide for Hermitage (Updated Mar)

"People should stay in a place without a ceiling" This is the first impression New Zealand gave me, embracing nature infinitely. 🏔️The snow-capped mountains, blue lakes and rolling mountains make this place perfect for a long journey. . February in New Zealand happens to be summer in the southern hemisphere☀️, which is the best month to escape the winter in the northern hemisphere. Let me introduce the preparations before the trip in detail: . 🇳🇿 Visa: E-visa, the application materials are simple, you can DIY it yourself! If the family travels together, the whole family can apply with one account. The average visa issuance date is about 30 days, so it is recommended to apply as early as possible and leave two months of margin. . ✈️Air tickets: It is recommended to buy Chinese airlines for international flights. Air New Zealand's direct flights to Shanghai are often rescheduled and cancelled for unknown reasons. It is difficult to communicate with the customer service hotline. I chose China Eastern Airlines, which flies directly from Shanghai to Auckland. I departed in the early morning and arrived in Auckland at 4pm local time. The time was perfect, and the departure time did not take up much daytime. There are two choices for flights within New Zealand: low-cost airline Jetstar and Air New Zealand. Friends who want to choose Jetstar should remember to buy checked baggage directly. Jetstar can check in 19KG of baggage, while Air New Zealand can check in 23KG. I suggest you fly directly to Air New Zealand, as the seats there will be better. . 🚗Itinerary: My itinerary is 9 days, not a special forces itinerary! The main purpose is to enjoy the beautiful scenery and chill and have fun. 🛬【Day1】Fly from Shanghai to Auckland and stay at VOCO Hotel I highly recommend VOCO Hotel. The Italian restaurant on the first floor is great. The freshly baked pizza 🍕 and burrata cheese are both worth a try. The hotel is right next to the Space Needle, which can be seen from the room, and it is only a 5-minute walk from Queen Street for shopping. 🛍️【Day 2】Shopping in Auckland, Victoria Hill Shopping on Queen Street, or you can take a taxi to New Market where there are more brands. In the afternoon, you can take a taxi to Mount Victoria on the other side of the city and overlook the entire Auckland from a distance. For dinner, I recommend Angus Steak House, a steakhouse that has been open for fifty years. 🚗【Day3】Fly from Auckland to Queenstown, drive to Mt Cook Remember to choose a full-size SUV when renting a car. The mountain road is rugged and difficult to drive, and it is right-hand drive. We chose a Toyota Land Cruiser. The scenery along the way is so beautiful! We stayed in a mountain view room at The Hermitage Hotel at night. It was the most worthwhile hotel on this trip, and all the photos we took were great. 🥾【Day4】Hike to Mt Cook and drive to Wanaka There are three classic hiking routes to choose from. Bring a jacket in case of rain. 🌳【Day5】Wanaka, drive to Queenstown Check in the loneliest tree in the world. 🏔️【Day6-9】Queenstown Must stay at Kamana Lakehouse, and another must-go project is Onsen Hot Spring♨️, the scenery is so beautiful that it makes you cry😭

(My thoughts and feelings depend on my personal experience. Everyone's feelings are different. I just share them.) 📍 The Hermitage Hotel Buffet 💰Dinner time: $79 for adults Deliciousness🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 🏮My first experience with all-you-can-eat in New Zealand was at Mount Cook. It was a good experience to eat at the foot of Mount Cook, but the view outside the window was not very impressive. Meals: There are not many choices of dishes, maybe the main focus is on the atmosphere, but the ingredients are not sloppy. The steaks and lamb chops were juicy, the fish was cooked well, and the pasta was truly amazing, but it's worth coming here just for the experience. The price/performance ratio is not high The speed at which the service staff collects your plates is also quite good. Environmental hygiene🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗 Service attitude🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 Willingness to visit again🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑 #Local travel #Good place for parents and children #familytravel #beaches #romanticgetaway

Mount Cook Village Travel Guide I. Destination Overview Mount Cook Village is located in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in the central South Island of New Zealand. It's one of New Zealand's most popular natural scenic destinations. Home to Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest peak in Oceania (3,755 meters), as well as magnificent glaciers, lakes, and hiking trails, it's a paradise for outdoor and nature enthusiasts. II. Transportation Guide • Self-drive: Mount Cook Village is a popular self-drive destination. The drive from Christchurch takes approximately 4 hours; from Queenstown, it's about 3 hours and 10 minutes. The scenery along the way is picturesque, especially when passing Lake Pukaki, with its stunning turquoise waters. • Public Transportation: If you're not driving, you can take a long-distance bus. There are direct buses to Mount Cook Village from Queenstown or Christchurch, but they are less frequent, so booking in advance is recommended. III. Accommodation Recommendations • The Hermitage Hotel: This is the most famous accommodation option in Mount Cook Village. Built against the mountain, the hotel is well-equipped, and almost every room offers magnificent views of Mount Cook. • Other Accommodation: There are also budget-friendly hotels and hostels in the village, suitable for travelers with different budgets. IV. Must-See Attractions and Activities 1. Hooker Valley Track • Overview: This is one of the most popular hiking trails in Mount Cook Village. The entire track is about 10 km (round trip) and relatively flat, making it suitable for the whole family. • Highlights: The trail crosses three swing bridges and ends at Hooker Lake, where you can see icebergs floating on the lake surface and enjoy stunning views of Mount Cook. • Time: Allow 3–5 hours, including time for photos and breaks. 2. Tasman Glacier • Helicopter Glacier Hike: Take a helicopter to land on the glacier and hike with a professional guide to experience the magnificence and mystery of the glacier. • Glacier Boat Tour: Take a boat tour on Tasman Glacier lake for a close-up view of the glacier. 3. Stargazing Tour • Overview: Mount Cook Village is located in a dark sky reserve with minimal light pollution, making it an excellent location for stargazing and astrophotography. • Best Time: 3–4 am in summer, 8–9 pm in autumn and winter. 4. Other Hiking Trails • Kea Point Lookout Track: Approximately 3 km long, taking 1–2 hours round trip, this track leads to a viewing platform for Muller Glacier. • Governors Bush Walk: A loop track, taking 1 hour round trip, offering views of the Wakefield Range and Mount Cook. 5. Aerial Sightseeing • Helicopter Tour: Take a helicopter tour for a panoramic view of Mount Cook. You can also choose to land on a glacier or snowy mountain. • Ski Plane: Combine a helicopter and ski plane experience for a thrilling adventure. V. Dining Recommendations • Mt Cook Alpine Salmon: On the way to Mount Cook Village, don't miss the salmon farm on the shores of Lake Pukaki. The salmon here is incredibly fresh. VI. Important Notes 1. Weather Changes: The weather in Mount Cook Village is unpredictable, and even in summer, you may encounter bad weather. It's recommended to bring waterproof and warm clothing. 2. Hiking Safety: Please follow the signs when hiking and do not stray from the trails. Some trails may have elevation changes, so choose a route based on your physical fitness. 3. Environmental Awareness: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a nature reserve. Please protect the environment and do not litter. VII. Best Time to Visit • Summer (December to February): Warm weather, ideal for hiking and outdoor activities, but it's the peak tourist season. • Autumn (March to May): Moderate temperatures, picturesque scenery, and the best season for stargazing. • Winter (June to August): Suitable for skiing and snow activities, but some trails may be closed. Summary Mount Cook Village is a place full of natural beauty. Whether you're hiking, stargazing, or taking a scenic flight, you'll be amazed by the magnificence of nature. It's recommended to spend at least 1–2 days here to fully experience the stunning scenery and activities.

Head to Lake Pukaki and encounter a fairyland on earth In Twizel, New Zealand, there is a place favored by nature—Lake Pukaki. It is like a dreamland hidden from the world, attracting every travel lover to check in. When you step into this magical place, the first thing that catches your eye is the stunning milky blue lake water, as if it has been enchanted, clear and deep, sparkling in the sunlight, exuding a charming luster, worthy of the reputation of "Milk Lake." In the distance, Mount Cook stands tall, with its snow-capped peaks and the blue lake water complementing each other, like a beautiful landscape painting. Driving along Highway 80, the scenery is everywhere, and every turn is an unexpected encounter with beautiful scenery. If you want to experience the charm of Lake Pukaki more deeply, you might as well choose to stay by the lake. The pastoral life of Braemar Station is quiet and leisurely, allowing you to start a beautiful day with the sound of birds; the luxurious experience of Lakestone Lodge and Lakeside Retreat allows you to enjoy the beautiful scenery while having ultimate comfort; Glentanner Motorhome Campground is full of wild fun, allowing you to get close to nature; the Hermitage Hotel at the foot of Mount Cook has an excellent location, with a view right outside the window; and the free camping site by the lake is a paradise for camping enthusiasts, where you can lie in a tent and gaze at the starry sky. In addition to enjoying the lake and mountain scenery, there are also rich outdoor activities waiting for you to experience. Beginners can choose the Hooker Valley Track, and feel the beauty of nature while walking leisurely; the challenging Mueller Hut Route is a paradise for experienced hikers, and the scenery along the way will definitely make you feel that all the hard work is worth it; explore the Tasman Glacier, witness the huge ice blocks falling from the glacier, and feel the magic of nature; take a helicopter tour, then embark on a glacier hike, and start an unforgettable adventure. Lake Pukaki, a must-visit check-in place in a lifetime, come here and leave your beautiful memories.

A must-see for glacier tours. Glaciers are a unique landscape that can only be seen in documentaries. In New Zealand, glaciers are even rarer, and low-altitude glaciers are even rarer to see. Here, you can have a glimpse of the glacier and feel the charm of the light blue ice. 🏔Why choose New Zealand’s glaciers? 1. A rare thing: Glaciers are a rare thing in our world. Even if you are used to seeing ice and snow in the north, the ice you see is ordinary white and transparent. New Zealand's low-altitude glaciers are the "giant pandas" of glaciers. There are very few countries with low-altitude glaciers. 2. Complete and unique: Unlike ordinary glaciers, New Zealand's low-altitude glaciers have not only experienced climate melting, forming unique rivers and rainforests, but also left behind a beautiful light blue sheen. This is a place of wonder. 3. Unusual landscape: On the west coast of New Zealand, you can see glaciers, rainforests, rivers and oceans all at once. This unique landscape can only be seen in New Zealand in the world. 【Recommended Glacier】❄ New Zealand has many glaciers, but there are differences between open and closed glaciers. Here, we recommend three representative glaciers for you: Fox Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier, and Tasman Glacier. 【Introduction to Glacier】🚗 Franz Josef GlacierFranz Josef Glacier Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier are only a few dozen kilometers apart. They are sister attractions to Fox Glacier. They are both very famous low-altitude glaciers in New Zealand. Fox GlacierFox Glacier The Fox Glacier is a miracle: it stretches from snow-capped mountains to temperate rainforest, although it also experienced melting due to climate, forming the Fox River. But it is very complete and more approachable because of the geography. Tasman Glacier Tasman Lake is formed by the melting of Tasman Glacier. Tasman Glacier Lake is one of the only glacial lakes in the world open to tourists. Tasman Glacier is one of the attractions in Mount Cook National Park. You have to go to Mount Cook first. Then check in at The Hermitage Hotel and take a cruise to join the glacier adventure and watch the glaciers. However, the operation time of Glacier Adventure is generally from September to May of the following year. You can only participate if it matches your travel time. If your travel time is from September to May and you happen to be going to Mount Cook, you can plan to go and see it!

Hotel 🏨Hermitage Hotel, restaurant view. We stayed at Mount Cook and planned to take a helicopter and hike the Tasman Glacier the next day, but unfortunately the clouds were too low so we cancelled it. We then went hiking on the Hooker Trail. 🚗Self-driving navigation & parking location: White Horse Hill Campsite Car Park 🧊The end point is hooker lake 🚶The whole journey is 10km+, 🕐about 3 hours The trail is mature and needs to cross 3 suspension bridges. The first suspension bridge takes about half an hour to go back and forth, and the second one takes more than an hour to go back and forth. There is a toilet about half an hour after the end point. It is recommended to finish outside. 👟: Remember to wear waterproof shoes in winter, as it will be difficult to walk after rain. A great experience!