Travel Guide of Mount Aspiring National Park in New Zealand by Influencers and Travelers

Mount Aspiring National Park is in the Southern Alps of the South Island of New Zealand, north of Fiordland National Park, situated in Otago and Westland regions. The park forms part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site.

Pictures and Stories of Mount Aspiring National Park from Influencers

17 pictures of Mount Aspiring National Park from Aleks Dahlberg, Will Turner, Cassie Matias and other travelers

Plan your trip in Mount Aspiring National Park with AI 🤖 🗺

Roadtrips.ai is a AI powered trip planner that you can use to generate a customized trip itinerary for any destination in New Zealand in just one click

Just write your activities preferences, budget and number of days travelling and our artificial intelligence will do the rest for you

👉 Use the AI Trip Planner

How to visit Mount Aspiring National Park ?

To get to Mount Aspiring National Park, you can fly into Queenstown International Airport and rent a car or take a bus to nearby towns like Wanaka, which is about an hour's drive from the park. Alternatively, you can fly into Christchurch and drive approximately 4.5 hours to reach the park.

Before embarking on your journey, be sure to book some essential experiences in advance. For instance, if you wish to hike the popular Routeburn Track or other Great Walks in the park, it is necessary to reserve huts and campsites early, especially during peak season (November-April). Additionally, guided tours, such as heli-hiking, glacier walks, or jet boat rides, should be booked in advance to secure your spot.

The costs associated with visiting Mount Aspiring National Park can vary depending on your chosen activities and accommodations. Park entry itself is free, but you'll need to pay fees for huts and campsites on multi-day hikes, which can range from NZD 15-130 per night. Guided tours and adventure activities can cost anywhere from NZD 100-500, depending on the experience.

Some of the best things to do in Mount Aspiring National Park include trekking the Routeburn Track, exploring the Rob Roy Glacier Track, and visiting the Blue Pools. For adventure seekers, consider taking a thrilling jet boat ride on the Matukituki River or trying your hand at mountaineering with a guided alpine climb.

When it comes to dining, Wanaka offers plenty of options to suit all tastes. For delicious local cuisine, visit Kika, a contemporary restaurant with a focus on fresh ingredients and creative dishes. For a more casual dining experience, stop by Red Star Burger Bar for mouthwatering gourmet burgers.

As for accommodations, consider staying at Wanaka Homestead Lodge and Cottages, which offers a range of cozy rooms and self-contained cottages within a short distance from the park. Alternatively, you can stay at the eco-friendly Oasis Yurt Lodge, which provides unique and comfortable yurt accommodations.

Off the beaten path:

For an unusual travel experience, consider visiting the Siberia Valley, a remote and picturesque area accessible only by a combination of hiking, jet boating, and/or flying. The Siberia Experience offers an unforgettable adventure, starting with a scenic flight into the valley, followed by a 3-hour hike through native beech forests, and concluding with an exhilarating jet boat ride back to civilization. This unique excursion allows you to explore the park's pristine wilderness and immerse yourself in its natural beauty.

   Book your Travel Experience at Mount Aspiring National Park

  Map of Mount Aspiring National Park

View Mount Aspiring National Park on a map with the the closest popular places nearby

   More Travel spots to explore around Mount Aspiring National Park

Click on the pictures to learn more about the places and to get directions

Discover more travel spots to explore around Mount Aspiring National Park

  ❄️ Glacial landform spots     ⛰️ Hill station spots     ❄️ Glacier spots     ⛰️ Hill spots     ⛰️ Mountain range spots     🏞️ Reservoir spots     ⛰️ Cliff spots     ⛰️ Summit spots     🌲 Ecoregion spots  

Learn More about Mount Aspiring National Park

Mount Aspiring National Park is located on New Zealand's South Island and is part of the area known as Te Wahipounamu, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It extends for about 86 miles (140 kilometers) along the glacier line of the Southern Alps region. The park was established in 1964 and was gradually expanded to cover an area of 877,000 acres (355,000 hectares). It is a splendid mixture of wild and isolated territory, high mountains and beautiful rivers. It is a destination for hiking enthusiasts, there are many hikes available, the choice is yours. The Routeburn Track to walk for a few days, the Rob Roy Glacier Track for a few hours, and many others, in all cases you will see beautiful landscapes with waterfalls, glaciers and green vegetation. ​​There are other activities you can do to discover the vastness of the park, such as jet boating on the Wilkin and Makarora Rivers, a helicopter ride or if you're in the mood for a day of adventure, take a canyoneering tour on Mount Aspiring. It's an adrenaline-filled trip of breathtaking natural beauty, with rappelling, a 30-foot (10 meters) jump, slides and swimming to challenge yourself in the most beautiful environment. These hikes are recommended for experienced people, the trails are not very well-marked, so it is imperative to have a GPS, a map or a guide with you in order not to get lost in this very large park. There are no huts, campgrounds or hotels in the area, but you can camp in the wilderness and be immersed in the scenery if you are doing a several day hike. This destination is the ideal place to get away from everyday life and be in contact with nature. You will challenge yourself through unsuspected activities, each one as fun as the next.

Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Mount Aspiring National Park

How long should I take to visit Mount Aspiring National Park?

Doing the whole hike takes between 2 and 4 days, depending on breaks, your abilities etc, it is a very immersive experience in contact with nature.

Is it free to visit Mount Aspiring National Park?

Indeed, the visit to Mount Aspiring is free, however, if you stay in a tent for the night, there are additional fees.

​​Can I camp anywhere in the Mount Aspiring National Park or are there specific areas?

There are many huts for hikers along the main trails, there are also defined camping areas, so you can't pitch your tent anywhere.

   Where to Stay near Mount Aspiring National Park

Popular destinations near Mount Aspiring National Park

Disover the best Instagram Spots around Mount Aspiring National Park here

Glaciers of New Zealand

  29 km (17.8 miles) away from Mount Aspiring National Park

New Zealand contains many glaciers, mostly located near the Main Divide of the Southern Alps in the South Island. They are classed as mid-latitude mountain glaciers. There are eighteen small glaciers in the North Island on Mount Ruapehu.

  Travel guide of Glaciers of New Zealand

#Hill station picture of Glaciers of New Zealand near Mount Aspiring National Park

Read the travel guide

Mount Aspiring

  32 km (19.7 miles) away from Mount Aspiring National Park

Mount Aspiring College is a state coeducational secondary school located in Wanaka, New Zealand. It was founded in 1986 after the division of Wanaka Area School into separate primary and secondary schools.

  Travel guide of Mount Aspiring

#Glacial landform picture of Mount Aspiring near Mount Aspiring National Park

Read the travel guide

#Glacial landform picture of Mount Aspiring near Mount Aspiring National Park

Read the travel guide

#Hill station picture of Mount Aspiring near Mount Aspiring National Park

Read the travel guide

   Book Flights to Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand

• Share This Travel Guide