If you follow us on Instagram, you know how excited we get over seeing new places! But Mount Cook National Park is the kind of place that takes our breath away every single time we visit. It’s the perfect location for an adventure elopement, offering stunning scenery, incredible experiences, and so much more.

Even our favourite photos don’t do this magical place justice. And the highest pitches of our voices can’t reach how our hearts feel about this beautiful location! It may be hard to express how wonderful Mount Cook National Park is through words and images alone, but we’ll do our best in this blog post. We want rad couples just like YOU to know how amazing it is to elope here. There is so much to do and see. It is truly a choose-your-own-adventure experience that you can keep coming back to. So, even after you elope, you’ll want to start planning your next holiday!

Let’s dive in and discover everything Mount Cook National Park has to offer adventurous couples in love.

Where is Mount Cook National Park?

What is officially known as Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is located in the central part of the South Island of New Zealand. Mount Cook Village sits within the park, and Twizel is the nearest town.

Fun fact: Standing at 3,754 meters (12,316 feet), Mount Cook is the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Another fun fact: Sir Edmund Hillary (a famous mountaineer) used Mount Cook as his climbing training ground before he conquered Mount Everest!

How to Get to Mount Cook National Park

There may be only one way in and out of the park, but it’s one of the most beautiful drives you’ll ever take! But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. Assuming you’re flying in from overseas, the nearest international airport is Queenstown Airport, a three-hour drive from Mount Cook National Park. And, like we said, the drive down Highway 80 is incredible. Even for locals like us!

Imagine this scenario: You’re driving and see looming mountains in the distance. They’re gorgeous, of course, but that’s not even the awe-inspiring moment! As you turn, Lake Pukaki comes into view, and everything becomes unreal. The blue lake literally reflects in the sky. Now you know you’re in for a treat!

Why An Elopement Adventure in Mount Cook National Park? We’re Glad You Asked!

Where do we even start?! Okay, I (Sirjana) want to start by saying that this is where Ben and I eloped, so there’s obviously some emotional significance for us. But photographing other couples at this location is still such an amazing experience, which always shows through in the photos!

Some other epic reasons you’ll LOVE planning your adventure elopement in Mount Cook National Park:

A Variety of Landscapes: Here you get pristine blue lakes, patches of forest, bare rocks, year-round snow-capped mountains, and long, winding roads that make for excellent drone photos.

Beauty Even in Bad Weather: Even when the weather isn’t picture-perfect, we can keep shooting, which is excellent! For example, Mount Cook has a couple of valleys where we can take photos and won’t be exposed to the elements.

Vast and Remote: The park is so huge that we can find remote places to take photos even during busy times. So you can count on plenty of privacy to take in the moment.

Incredible Backdrops: Do you want to fly in on a helicopter? You’re in for a treat! The helicopter options are quite unlike any other place because you can have glacier landings or have Mt. Cook as your backdrop. There are icescapes too!

Accessible for All: It’s great for people of all hiking abilities and very accessible regardless of your skill level. You’ll get epic scenery whether you do zero climbing or scale the heights. It’s like Jurassic Park vibes at every point.

Incredible Night Photos: Mount Cook National Park is in the Dark Sky Reserve, so you’ll get the best night photos in New Zealand. Period. Full stop. Being in the Dark Sky Reserve means there’s no light pollution from street or shop lights, so viewing the stars is much easier and clearer. It’s like looking at a billion diamonds sparkling against black velvet.

Where to Stay in Mount Cook National Park

We make sure the accommodations our couples experience are always perfection. In fact, before making suggestions, we’ll work with you to discover your vibe and what you’ll feel most comfortable staying in. That being said, here are some of our favourite places to rest your head in Mount Cook National Park:

Twizel: We suggest this town because it’s away from the crowds in Lake Tekapo. There are some amazing Airbnbs here that provide starry nights and tranquil sleep. The other benefit is that it’s midway between Lake Tekapo and Mt. Cook, so it doesn’t feel like a chore if you’re driving back at night. OH! And it’s near Lake Pukaki, which is where we started our elopement day – and for a reason! Lake Pukaki’s colour is basically like blue Gatorade. It’s crystal clear, super intense, and a total must-see!!

Lake Tekapo: There are not as many amazing Airbnb options in this town, but they do exist. We recommend Lake Tekapo to couples who want to be less remote and around more civilization. You’ll also find a greater variety of restaurants here.

Hermitage Hotel: Hermitage Hotel gives you an all-inclusive experience that puts you right on the doorstep of Mt. Cook. Our top tip: book a room on the top floor. You’ll have a room-sized window with the mountain as your view. Just imagine: You pull back the curtains in the morning, and you’re greeted by the sun shining its beams on Mt. Cook like a fire god! The view is so powerful that even if you’re anxious or scared, it will melt it all away. (We know from experience!) Also, the food here is SO GOOD, which is a blessing because no restaurants are open in the area past 6 p.m. The hotel’s kitchen and bar are the only places available. Lucky you!

Best Airbnbs Around Mount Cook National Park

Here are a few standout Airbnbs perfect for your adventure elopement:

• Menards NZ (Twizel): This funky, award-winning eco-sanctuary is located on a glacial landform 530m above sea level at the base of the Ben Ōhau mountain range. The wood-fired tub is perfectly placed for soaking under the sparkling stars of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. An added benefit: no chemicals are used on the property.
• Ashley Mackenzie Villa (Lake Pukaki): This villa features ample light, a great backdrop for getting ready, and a hot tub where you can end the elopement journey under the stars. Let’s not forget the stunning views you’ll look at as you lie in bed together and say, “Is this our life?!” You’ll also get to enjoy a three-course meal each day, including a nibbles platter prepared by their private chef and brought to your villa for private dining.
• Stargazer’s Luxury Retreat (Lake Tekapo): Lakeside views, outdoor hot tub, indoor fire, and a rain shower for two? Yes, please!
• Skylark Cabin (Twizel): This private cabin provides luxury under the stars. Enjoy breakfast in the landscaped garden and dinner by the indoor fire. Then slip into the outdoor tub and watch the universe expand before you.

When to Elope to Mount Cook National Park

As far as we’re concerned, ANYTIME is a good time to elope at Mount Cook National Park! We will always welcome you with open hearts and open arms. But we want to give you a heads-up on what to expect regarding seasons – particularly summer versus winter:

• Summer (December to February): The days are long, with the sun not setting until 10 p.m. in some parts of the country. The grass is golden, and the air is warm. During this time of year, we often get really beautiful photos in the lupin fields with the sun shining down. And seeing the icebergs floating like giants in the glacier lake is always majestic.
• Winter (June to August): Days are shorter, with more chances for bad weather. But some people love being surrounded by snow! Plus, you can book a cozy Airbnb with a fireplace, which makes it magical. For our winter couples, we’ll start the session by the fire while they sip their coffee and snow falls outside the window. Then we’ll venture out to a couple really romantic places.

How to Get Married in Mount Cook National Park

There are two ways to plan your adventure elopement in Mount Cook National Park:

1. Emotional Ceremony: This is the way to go if you want a day full of anticipation, excitement, and surprises. It’s much more intimate, as a celebrant won’t be present – only the four of us. And you won’t have to plan a thing. Instead, you’ll leave everything to us. All you have to do is show up and let love (and us!) guide you.
2. Legal Ceremony: The day will still be exciting, but a few more formalities will take place. You’ll hire a celebrant to take care of the paperwork. And we’ll need to provide them with the exact location, time, and other info they need to make the union possible. So a little less surprise is involved, but it will still be just as beautiful.

Places of Interest and Things to Do in Mount Cook National Park

Even though you’ll be here to elope, we encourage you to take advantage of your time and enjoy everything the park has to offer. Here are our personal favourites:

• Hooker Valley Track: Like all the places we’ve mentioned, Hooker Valley is a gorgeous town that offers couples plenty of sites and sounds to explore. But what makes this location stand out is the Hooker Valley Track hiking trail. The track takes around three hours to complete, although you’re welcome to take longer if you want to stop and enjoy the stunning views along the way. The trail starts at the White Horse Hill camping area and leads through the valley, passing by several suspension bridges and offering views of the surrounding mountains, glaciers, and streams. The track ends at Hooker Lake, where you’ll see inspiring views of Mount Cook.\ And just know, you DO NOT have to be fitness enthusiasts to enjoy this hike! It welcomes all levels of adventure seekers. And it provides a variety of beautiful backdrops for photos. If we’re with you, we can even stop along the way and have a picnic!
• Lake Tekapo: The quaint but buzzing town of Lake Tekapo is located on the shores of the turquoise-coloured lake by the same name. You’ll find more shops and restaurants than in other locations around Mount Cook. And there are lots of fun things to do. Stroll along the lakefront promenade, visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, and enjoy the stunning views from the top of Mount John Observatory (a crowd favourite!).
• Lake Pukaki: Lake Pukaki is another breathtakingly beautiful lake renowned for its stunning blue colour caused by the meltwater from the surrounding glaciers. The lake is also home to several fish species, including salmon and trout. IMHO – you must try the salmon!! Catch your own or have someone do the work for you. And then just enjoy eating freshly caught and prepared fish. Yum! You can also take in the stunning views from the lake’s shore or go hiking, biking, or skiing in the nearby mountains. Additionally, the lake provides a perfect backdrop for stargazing, and the nearby Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is a must-visit for starry-eyed lovers.
• Tasman Glacier View Track: From photos, the Tasman Glacier may seem like no big deal. It’s just a glacier, right? But this is something you have to see in person. At 23.5 km in length (14.6 miles), it’s the largest glacier in New Zealand! Guided tours allow you to explore the glacier and its surrounding landscape, including ice caves, crevasses, and stunning ice formations. If you want to get really up close and personal, take a boat tour on the Tasman Glacier Lake to get near the glacier’s face, which is constantly carving icebergs. It’s truly spectacular.

Adventure Awaits: Let’s Plan Your Elopement!

We just love this place so much, and we find that many people who inquire about our photos end up asking about Mount Cook. It really has a way of pulling you in and, once you’re there, embracing you in its beauty. 

So, how do we make this Mount Cook elopement happen? First, send us a note, so we know you’re interested. Then we’ll be well on our way to creating a customised itinerary based on your love story and vibe. We can’t wait to see what magic unfolds!