A Mountain Legend. Aoraki/Mount Cook Is New Zealand’s highest mountain, and is sacred to the Ngal Tahu tribe. Legend has it that the mountain and its companion peaks were formed when a boy named Aoraki and his three brothers came down from the heavens to visit Papatuanuku (Earth Mother) in a canoe. The canoe flipped and the brothers climbed onto the overturned boat; eventually the wind turned them to stone. The canoe became South Island; Aoraki, the tallest brother, became Mount Cook; the rest became the Southern Alps.
Walks from Mount Cook Village. There are several good, well-signposted walking tracks in the vicinity of Mount Cook Village. They are suitable for people who do not have any climbing experience.
Kea Point and Governors Bush are short walks that focus on the park’s vegetation and birdlife. Longer walks include the Sealy Tarns, Hooker Valley and Red Tarns tracks. Although these tracks are well marked, the ground is rough in places and it is advisable to wear stout shoes or boots and to carry a walking stick. A warm sweater or Jacket is needed for places exposed to the wind, even during summer.
Brochures on the walks, with descriptions and walking times, are available at the visitor centre in the village.
