Check out the Tasman Glacier from the lookout - it's awesome
The Tasman Glacier lookout walk has breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the Tasman Glacier.
As you get closer to the lake, you’ll get to (hopefully!) see actual icebergs floating in the lake’s glacial waters. The walk track is well-maintained and is awesome for photos and enjoying the natural beauty of the area.
Quick Facts about this walk
- Location: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is in the Southern Alps of New Zealand’s South Island
- Time needed: It’s generally around 40 mins round trip
- Distance: 0.7 km, not too far
- Difficulty: Easy to medium and family-friendly
- Bikes allowed: No
- Route: Double back
- Elevation: 800m
- Wet Feet: No
- Toilets: Yes
- Dogs: No
- Mobile Coverage: Yes
Summary points about this walk
Full description of the walk - Tasman Glacier Lake Lookout
Access: The walk to Tasman Glacier Lake is easily found from the main road in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. The walk is well-marked and maintained. The track splits in two, you can also do the longer Tasman Lake Track as a second walk.
It is a very dusty and rough 7.5km drive to the Tasman Lake car park from the main road, then a little rocky climb to the lookout.
We saw people boating around Tasman Lake. The views were pretty good. We were packed in like sardines at the lookout and the racket the people were making spoiled the day, so we took off back to the truck for some peace and quiet and a hot coffee. It might now be so busy these days with less people around.
Area & Track History
Mt Cook National Park is a 70,111 hectare Park. The Southern Alps was set up as a reserve in 1885, but it was not recognised as a national park until 1953.
Mt Cook National Park has an average rainfall of 4000 mm a year, 149 days of rain per year, 1528 hours of sunshine per year and a temperature of around -10° C to 30°.
The first people to try and climb Mount Cook, were an Irishman and two Swiss men in 1882, but it took three kiwis to reach the summit of Mt Cook in 1894.
There are about 40 species of birds in Mt Cook National Park, and you will know about the mountain parrot or better known as the Kea.
As you walk up to the Hooker Glacier and look at the water flowing past you, think about that hot shower and hot meal you had last night. The electricity came from this water after it flowed into one of the largest hydro storage lakes in the south island, Lake Pukaki. The Tasman, Murchison and Mueller glaciers also flow into this lake.
Photos from our walk to Tasman Glacier Lake
More of our walks nearby in Mt Cook
Hooker Valley Track, Mount Cook
Tasman Lake Track
