Aoraki/Mount Cook is one of the most picturesque national parks in all of New Zealand, with countless photo spots hidden around its stunning landscapes, every corner of this park offers unique photo opportunities.
In this blog post, we will guide you through some of the most breathtaking photo spots in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. From popular trails to hidden gems, each location offers a unique perspective of this beautiful region.
Photo Spots on the Hooker Valley Track
The most iconic trail in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, the Hooker Valley Track, is easily one of the most picturesque hikes in New Zealand. At only 5 km long, this trail is perfect for hikers of all skill levels and takes you through glacier carved valleys and over crystal-clear streams.
The highlight of this track is the panoramic views of Aoraki/Mount Cook, the tallest peak in New Zealand. The first 3 photo spots on our list are all from the Hooker Valley Track.
1. Wooden Boardwalks – Hooker Valley
The first photo spot along the Hooker Valley Track is about halfway through the hike, where there is a section of wooden boardwalks that make great leading lines below the mountain. Along this boardwalk are many great spots to get incredible photos with Mt Cook in the background.
2. 3rd Suspension Bridge- Hooker Valley
The second great photo spot is at the third suspension bridge towards the end of the hike. The bridge is positioned perfectly in front of Mt Cook, allowing for stunning shots of the mountain with the bridge in the foreground.
3. Hooker Glacier Lake – Hooker Valley
At the end of the walk, you’ll find Hooker Glacier Lake, where icebergs float in the turquoise glacial waters. This is the third photo spot, it’s an ideal location for landscape photography of the icebergs and Mt Cook in the background.
4. Sealy Tarn Viewpoint
Our personal favourite photo spot in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park has to be the Sealy Tarns Viewpoint. The view from the summit is breathtaking, with panoramic views of the entire national park, with snow-capped mountains and turquoise glacial rivers everywhere you look. The highlight of this viewpoint though, is the still tarn perfectly reflecting Mt Cook. It’s one of the most unique photo spots we have seen in this national park!
However, the incredible view does not come without a price. The journey up to the summit is challenging, with 2200 steep steps up the mountain and an elevation gain of 600m. It’s definitely a workout for the legs, but the view you get is worth every step!
5. Mueller Hut Viewpoint
The Mueller Hut Viewpoint offers breathtaking views of Mt Cook and the surrounding mountains, lakes and glacial rivers, and is one of the best viewpoints in the entire national park. The highlight of this spot is the option to stay overnight in the hut, to see the sunset and sunrise and a possible cloud inversion (if you’re lucky); which offers some of the best conditions for photography.
However, much like the Sealy Tarn Viewpoint, it does not come without a price. The route to Mueller Hut is the same as Sealy Tarn, but it continues up the mountain and past the tarn, sitting at 1805m. The hike to the hut takes roughly 4 hours one way, with over 1000m in elevation. It’s a challenging hike, but is well worth it for the best views in Mt Cook National Park.
6. Kea Point
Kea Point is an easy walk to a viewing platform looking towards the Mueller Glacier moraine wall. It offers beautiful views of Mount Sefton, The Footstool, Hooker valley, Mueller Glacier lake and Mt Cook.
Kea Point is especially great for using a telephoto lens to capture close up and macro photos, capturing the details and textures of the glaciers.
7. Peter’s Lookout
As you drive along the scenic Mount Cook Road, a stop at Peters Lookout is an absolute must. This viewpoint offers a breathtaking perspective of the road dramatically leading towards the majestic peak of Aoraki/Mount Cook.
The contrast between the winding road, the surrounding tussock-covered plains, and the towering mountains in the distance creates a striking composition that is perfect for capturing this iconic spot.
8. Tasmna Glacier Viewpoint
Tasman Glacier Viewpoint is a short and relatively easy walk leading you to a platform with breathtaking views over New Zealand’s largest glacier. This vantage point is perfect for wide-angle shots that capture this expansive glacial landscape, with its ice formations, surrounding peaks and turquoise water.
For a different perspective, head to the Tasman Glacier Lake, where you can sometimes see icebergs floating in the glacial waters. This spot is especially photogenic at sunset and sunrise.
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