Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

Live Like a Local!

The Inside Scoop on the Best Places to Eat, Drink, Play & Stay in Aoraki/Mt Cook.

Live Like a Local - Aoraki/Mount Cook

Izzie is a proud Cantabrian, who was schooled in Christchurch. Formerly a Guide on the Routeburn and Milford Tracks (NZ Great Walks), she’s joined our Mount Cook Ski Planes team in our operations department. Izzie combines a passion for the environment and the outdoors with a love of people.

restaurant

Eat

When Izzie’s feeling peckish her go-to dining choice is a Fairlie Bakehouse Pie! These hand-made treats (which are easily a meal) are available from the The Sir Edmund Hillary Café & Bar.

wine

Drink

After a long day at work, Izzie’s favourite place to grab a drink is Chamois Bar & Grill. With a pool table, jukebox and a sports screen she always manages to keep herself entertained.

sunset

Explore

In her spare time Izzie loves making the most of what the Mt Cook National Park has to offer. With stunning walks galore, she doesn’t find herself short of options. Her favourite is the Sealy Tarns Track which rises 600m from the village. She sometimes even spots a few local Kea’s – New Zealand’s native bird and the world’s only alpine parrot.

mountain

Must Do

It wouldn’t be a trip to Aoraki/Mt Cook without experiencing a Mt Cook Ski Planes and Helicopter flight! Izzie’s favourite is the Ultimate Alpine Experience which combines a flight in a helicopter and a ski plane. Book your experience here! Issie is also excitedly anticipating the opening of Skydive Mount Cook in September.

house

Stay

Izzie recommends the Aoraki Court Motel. This Motel offers modern rooms and mountain views in an apartment style complex. It’s the top rated accommodation on Google. If you’re watching the pennies, Izzie recommends YHA Aoraki/Mt Cook.

family

For the Kids

Izzie says try the Tasman River Walk that will take you to the Tasman Terminal Lake. Once you’ve seen it from above, you’ll be amazed at the size of the icebergs. This track is family friendly (suitable for pushchairs) and is flat and well maintained – suitable for little legs.