If you’ve got a taste for adventure, chances are New Zealand is already high on your list. And in the heart of the South Island, one mountain in particular has a pull like no other – Aoraki, or Mount Cook. At 3,724 metres, it’s the country’s tallest peak and an icon of the Southern Alps. Whether you’re gazing at it from the valley floor or seeing it up close on a hike, it’s one of those places that has a way of making you stop and really take in the moment.

The journey into Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is part of the experience. Driving through Mackenzie Country, the road winds past turquoise glacial lakes and rolling tussock plains before the mountains start to take over the skyline. By the time you reach the village at the base, the sheer scale of Aoraki dominates everything around it.

Once you’re here, there’s no shortage of ways to explore. For an easy and incredibly rewarding option, the Hooker Valley Track is a must. It’s a relatively flat three-hour return walk across swing bridges and alpine boardwalks, ending at a glacial lake with unbeatable views of Aoraki and the Hooker Glacier. If you’re after something shorter, the Kea Point Track is another good one for panoramic views.

If your adventurous side is calling, the park has plenty to offer. Glacier hiking, heli-skiing, or even trying your hand at mountaineering are all possibilities – though definitely best tackled with an experienced guide. Taking to the skies in a scenic flight is another unforgettable way to see the landscape, with snowy ridgelines, glaciers, and icefalls stretching out in every direction.

After a day outdoors, you’ll be ready to refuel. The Hermitage Hotel is a classic spot for dinner with views that do justice to the location. There are also cosy cafés and lodges serving hearty meals – exactly what you want after a few hours in the alpine air.

Then, when night falls, the park offers something else entirely. Aoraki sits within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the best places on the planet for stargazing. With no light pollution for miles, the night sky here feels impossibly close – a canopy of stars and constellations that has to be seen to be believed.

Whether you come for the hiking, the big alpine adventures, or simply to sit and take in the mountain views, Aoraki has a way of leaving its mark. It’s the kind of place you carry with you long after you’ve left – and the kind of place that makes you start planning when you can come back.