New Zealand

The Mount Cook region is sometimes called the Mackenzie Country - it's the high inland basin beneath the Southern Alps and Aoraki/Mount Cook, south west of Christchurch.

At 3753m Mount Cook (its Maori name is Aoraki, meaning Cloud Piercer) is New Zealand's highest mountain. It towers above a splendid cast of massive snow-clad peaks that make up the Mount Cook National Park. Nudging one side of Mount 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 ( the Mackenzie Country is named for Jock MacKenzie, an infamous Scottish sheep rustler). 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. The Church of the Good Shepherd sits on its shores and has a spectacular and famous view of the Southern Alps framed by its altar window.

At Mount Cook Village you can experience high country life at its best. There's plenty to do within the village and surrounding areas - from glacier skiing in the winter to hiking and fishing in the summer. As well as awesome alpine scenery, Mount Cook can surprise you with some of the best cuisine you could possibly imagine.

Fairlie — gateway to the Mackenzie Country and Aoraki/Mount Cook

Lake Tekapo Village — scenic lakeside town on the shores of stunning turquoise-coloured Lake Tekapo

Mount Cook Village — Mount Cook National Park Headquarters

Twizel — southern Mackenzie country town, home to excellent sporting and fishing

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