- Where to find: Canterbury 7999, New Zealand;
- Website: doc.govt.nz;
- Phone : +64 3-435 1186
The main decoration of the New Zealand South Island is the National Park "Mount Cook" or, as it is also called, Aoraki.
History of the Park's foundation
The National Park includes several reserves, organized at the end of the XIX century to protect and preserve rare plant species and unique landscapes of local places. The village of Aoraki and Mount Cook were part of the National Park in 1953.
The territory of the National Park "Mountain Cook" is about 700 square kilometers, an impressive part of which (40%) covers the Tasman glacier.
The mountains continue to grow
Noteworthy is the fact that this place is considered a mountain park of New Zealand . Nothing surprising, because 20 mountain peaks, whose height exceeds three thousand meters above sea level, are located in the Aoraki National Park.
The most visited place of the Park and at the same time its symbol is the highest mountain of the country - Mount Cook (3753 meters). Less well-known mountain peaks: Tasman, Hicks, Sefton, Elli de Beaumont.
Scientists note the annual growth of New Zealand's mountains on average by 5 millimeters. This is due to the youth of the natural formations and their unfinished formation.
In 1953, the National Park "Mount Cook" became an object of UNESCO's world heritage.
Plant and Animal Kingdom of Aoraki National Park
The Aoraki National Park is inextricably linked to the cultural and natural site of Teo Wahipunamu, of which it is a part. Therefore, the exhibits of this living museum have become natural values.
The vegetative world of the Park is represented by alpine exhibits, the most widespread are mountain lilies, alpine buttercup, mountain daisies, wild Spaniard, haystack grass. There are almost no trees in the National Park "Mount Kuka", as most of its territory is located above their growth line.
The fauna is represented by kae birds, alpine parrots, wagtails, skates. Inhabit and larger representatives of the fauna: chamois, Himalayan tar, deer, which allowed hunting.
Active rest in Aoraki National Park
Annually climbers from different countries of the world come to the National Park "Mountain Cook" in New Zealand, to compete in agility and the ability to conquer mountain peaks, and just perfect rest. On the territory of the Park are organized hiking routes of various levels of complexity. For beginners, it is better to choose a one-day trip Bowen Bush walk, Glencoe Walk, and for experienced tourists, a serious climb, calculated for several days along the route of the Cross Cross Passing, is quite suitable. Skiing is not less popular.
In addition, helicopter flights are required that open picturesque views of the "Mount Cook", reserves, glaciers.
It is interesting
According to the data of the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, the height of Cook's Hill is 3764 meters. Surprisingly, this is not a mistake. The matter is that in 1991 snow, ice, rock came down from the peak, why the height of the mountain decreased by 10 meters.
Despite the fact that the mountain bears the name of James Cook, its discoverer is Abel Tasman, who arrived in these places in 1642.
Peter Jackson (director of the movie "The Lord of the Rings") invented Mount Caradras, the prototype of which is Mount Cook.
Helpful information
The park is open for tourists all year round, every day. Visits are not charged, which is undoubtedly nice. If you go to Aoraki Park to hunt, specify the time when the season opens.
How to get to the sights?
Next to the National Park is the village of Mount Cook Village, where tourists are most often accommodated. Near the village, a small local airport is broken up, to which tourists from different parts of New Zealand arrive to visit the park. Air transport is the best choice if you decide to visit the National Park "Mount Cook".
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