Mount Cook Village

Aoraki / Mount Cook, often referred to as Mount Cook Village, is located within New Zealand's Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park at the end of State Highway 80, only 15km south of the summit of the country's highest mountain, also called Aoraki / Mount Cook, in the Southern Alps.Being situated inside a National Park, it is not possible to own property in Mount Cook Village, however, because of the year-round operation of the hotel and motels, the village has a small permanent population of around 250. All buildings and facilities operate on concessions and leases from the government. The village has no grocery stores apart from a small in-hotel convenience store. The nearest supermarket is away in Twizel, the closest town. There is a self-service petrol pump behind the hotel complex, however the fuel price reflects the remote location.Mount Cook Village operates a small school with a roll as low as a dozen children, the only school in New Zealand inside a national park.TourismMount Cook Village caters to a steady flow of around 250,000 visitors per year with a wide range of facilities and accommodation.An international style hotel, The Hermitage the name of which dates back to the original hotel built in 1884, is the only prominent larger building in the village and a popular location, especially for international tourists. The Hermitage is sometimes used as an alternative name for the settlement. The hotel also owns and operates chalets and a lodge & motel with options ranging from backpacker accommodation through to family units.