WILD ABOUT NEW ZEALAND - AORAKI MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK EPISODE GUIDE TO 17/9/13 Episode Three : Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, Wild About New Zealand Series Aired: Tuesday, September 17th, 8.30 on TV ONE By Gus Roxburgh The Wild About New Zealand Episode guides provide a simple overview for viewers on planning a trip to the National Park featured in the TV series. What can you visit? What is easily accessible? What needs more planning and preparation? Plus top tips on things to do in and around the National Parks. The guides are written by series presenter, Gus Roxburgh who spent 18 months on adventures – both big and small, in all our National Parks featured in the series. The information is designed to get New Zealanders to move from the inspiration of the TV series to action - and head out to explore our world renowned National Parks. Gus is presenter of the TV series, Wild About New Zealand, and principal author of the book of the series being published by Random House in October 2013 Content developed with Destination Mount Cook Mackenzie, Department of Conservation and Jasons Travel Media. For more information on the Aoraki – Mt Cook National Park please visit: Wild About New Zealand Travel Information Web Site: www.wildaboutnewzealand.co.nz 1 | Page Wild About New Zealand Episode Guide. WILD ABOUT NEW ZEALAND - AORAKI MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK EPISODE GUIDE TO 17/9/13 Episode Guide Sections : i. Essential Travel Information incl. Why You Should Visit, What is So Special, Getting There & 5 Top Things to Do ii. Expanded Itineraries incl. Gus’ Picks for 1, 2 and 4 Day Trips to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park AORAKI / MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK Swing bridge, Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park by The Hermitage ESSENTIAL AORAKI / MOUNT COOK TRAVEL INFORMATION Why You Should Visit and What is So Special Getting There Gus’ Top 5 Things to Do in Aoraki Mount Cook AS SEEN ON TELEVISION – WILD ABOUT NEW ZEALAND. Areas of Aoraki Mount Cook seen in the September 17th episode of Wild About New Zealand that can easily be visited (for marked locations you may need specialist equipment and experience and/or travel with an specialist guide): Aoraki Mount Cook National Park including: Mount John Observatory & McKenzie Basin Tasman Glacier ; skiing on Tasman Glacier & ski-plane tours Caroline Hut International Dark Sky Reserve Short walks near Hermitage Lake Tasman – Lake of Tasman Glacier 2 | Page Wild About New Zealand Episode Guide. WILD ABOUT NEW ZEALAND - AORAKI MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK EPISODE GUIDE TO 17/9/13 WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK By Gus Roxburgh New Zealand’s highest peak Aoraki/ Mount Cook gives its name to the pre-eminent alpine park in the Southern Alps. It has 23 peaks over 3000 meters and the longest glaciers in the land, and is where Sir Edmund Hillary practiced before setting off to conquer Mt Everest. The park offers challenges that range from extreme adventures to gentle valley walks. WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK The view has graced a thousand chocolate boxes, yet when you first see it from the eastern end of Lake Pukaki prepare to be amazed. As with other wonders of the world like the Grand Canyon and the Taj Mahal somehow the photos don’t begin to do it justice. Aoraki/Mt Cook is considered an ancestor by Ngai Tahu, and a noble one at that! This is a dynamic landscape shaped by uplift, erosion and the incessant westerlies that roar across these peaks. It was those winds that lifted our cameras in a lightweight glider to make a series of passes and loops a mere wingspan from the summit ridge of Aoraki – undoubtedly one of the highlights of the series. For visitors the sparkling ice of the country’s longest glacier, the 27 kilometre Tasman, is accessible thanks to a classic piece of Kiwi ingenuity. In 1955 Harry Wigley developed the first retractable ski system allowing planes to take off from Mt Cook airport and land safely on skis on the upper reaches of the glacier. Today Wrigley’s ski planes allow you to access a crystalline alpine Amphitheatre where you’ll be ringed by NZ’s highest peaks. Another unique option is a boat trip on the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake – a relatively new feature of the Park that is rapidly growing as climate change has its way with the glacier. You’ll float across glacier-fed cerulean waters amongst icebergs that fell as snow at the head of the glacier some 350 years when Abel Tasman sailed the coast of New Zealand. TOP FIVE – Gus’ Top Five Things to do in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park 1. Bus, walk then boat through icebergs on the Tasman Glacier lake. 2. Tramp up to Mueller Hut for an unparalleled 360-degree peek at the peaks. 3. Walk the Hooker Valley Track towards Aoraki/ Mount Cook. 4. Take a guided tramp over Ball Pass to the West Coast. 5. Take a ski plane flight and ski the Tasman Glacier. More Information on Aoraki Mount Cook National Park: http://www.wildaboutnewzealand.co.nz/aoraki-mount-cook-national-park/ Department of Conservation: Aoraki Mount Cook page Destination Mount Cook Makenzie: http://www.mtcooknz.com/ Jasons Encounter Outdoor Adventure Guide: www.jasons.co.nz Gus is principal author of Wild About New Zealand – the book of the series being published by Random House in October 2013 EXPANDED TRAVEL INFORMATION 3 | Page Wild About New Zealand Episode Guide. WILD ABOUT NEW ZEALAND - AORAKI MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK EPISODE GUIDE TO 17/9/13 Expanded Itineraries One, Two and Four Day Suggested Itineraries. ONE DAY – Gus’ suggestions for those with one day The Sir Edmond Hillary Alpine Centre – has a state-of-the-art 3D movie that takes you on a breath taking journey among the peaks, the full dome planetarium takes you into the clear night skies above the peaks and the Museum and Gallery documents the history of the park and Hillary’s connection to it. There’s also time in your day for a walk around the village and end with a drink at the Hermitage watching the sunset on Mount Cook. More: http://www.hermitage.co.nz/en/the-sir-edmund-hillary-alpine-centre Sealy Tarns Track – a mini 2 hr mountain climb up from the village brings you a special place with stunning views of the Hooker Valley and the surrounding peaks. In summer the tarns (glacial lakes) are surrounded by a profusion of alpine flowers. Hooker Valley Track – is a great day out. As you move up the valley you are constantly inspired by the view of Mt Cook / Aoraki ahead. There are two swing bridge crossings of the Hooker River and some splendid sights as you push on as far as the Hooker Glacier lake. It takes an hour and a half each way. Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake Walk – only takes an hour and brings you to a point overlooking over the end of the Tasman Glacier and the beginning of the Tasman River. The lake has substantial glaciers and freezes over in the winter. Aoraki Mount Cook National Park by Tourism New Zealand 4 | Page Wild About New Zealand Episode Guide. WILD ABOUT NEW ZEALAND - AORAKI MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK EPISODE GUIDE TO 17/9/13 TWO DAYS – Gus’ suggestions for those with two days Ball Flat Route – picks its way alongside the Tasman Glacier as far as Ball Hut, where you can stay for a modest fee or camp if you book in. The walk is exhilarating, but care is needed, as the moraine wall can be unstable. It takes half a day to reach the hut which was once the base for a small ski area on the Ball glacier – which like many of the glaciers in the Park has now retreated and is now far above the hut. Ski the Tasman Glacier – fly in and land near the top of the glacier. Then get ready to take on the longest ski run in New Zealand. Your guide leads you through arches, overhangs and around crevasses in the most beautiful scenery imaginable. FOUR DAYS – Gus’ suggestions for those with four days Local Hero Mountain Climbing – is for reasonably fit people with little climbing experience. Guides take you to the top of 3 peaks over 2000m, close to Mount Cook village. During the ascents, learn a range of techniques and how to avoid difficulties. It’s all on foot, so travel costs are minimized. Takes 5-6 days. Ascents – if you are an experienced climber, Aoraki offers many serious routes and challenging peaks. There are climbing opportunities for all levels of experience. If you book a guide for a week, you can take advantage of the very best climbing opportunities on the days that you are there. More Information: For more information on the Aoraki – Mt Cook National Park please visit: Wild About New Zealand Travel Information Web Site Other Resources: Wild About New Zealand – Aoraki Mount Cook page Wild About New Zealand Partner Information & Media: Working with the Wild About New Zealand television series on TVNZ’s ONE are a number of partners responsible for important parts of the programme or related media: Wild About New Zealand Television Series on ONE. Tuesdays 8.30 pm starting September 3rd 2013. Gus Roxburgh - More information on Gus Roxburgh – presenter of the series. Department of Conservation National Park Information - DOC’s detailed information on each National Park NHNZ - the iconic New Zealand based production company who worked with TVNZ creating the TV series Wild About New Zealand Book - The book of the series published by Random House, October 2013 Wild About New Zealand Visitor Information - supporting web site offering visitor information and deals Jasons Encounter – New Zealand Outdoor Adventure Activity and Attractions Information Wild About New Zealand Outdoor Safety Videos - outdoor safety videos sponsored by Macpac 5 | Page Wild About New Zealand Episode Guide.