New Zealand is blessed with some of the most incredible landscapes and sites in the world, many of which are so significant that they are encapsulated under the protection of a national park. There are 14 national parks in New Zealand that are managed by the Department of Conservation, which is charged with ensuring the protection of natural and historic heritage.

One of these impressive and picturesque places in New Zealand, located in the South Island, is the Mt Aspiring National Park. Established in 1964, it was the tenth place to be secured as a national park. Located at the southern tip of the Southern Alps, and directly west of Lake Wanaka, the park is approximately 3,500 square kilometers in size.

There is a wonderful variety of things to do and see at Mt Aspiring, and they are outlined below:

snow based activities

Of course, snow is a major attraction for all who visit this part of the country. The local ski field has skiing for levels and abilities, and if you like adventure, you can choose to go heli-skiing, where you push your limits and seek a bit of excitement, or you can just do a bit of snowman building or have a snowball fight. There is easy access to the ski slope from your Lake Wanaka accommodation.

Outdoors

If you love to get outdoors, the park has numerous trails and recreational areas to explore, have a picnic, and take in some of the incredible scenery. You can also do rock climbing and rappelling. Don’t forget to pack a camera so you can capture some of the stunning views.

Hiking

Mt Aspiring is home to some wonderful walking trails, the best known of which is The Routeburn Track. It is 32 kilometers long and the traverse generally starts on the Queenstown side of the Southern Alps and ends on the Te Anau side. There are shelters and cabins along the route and camping is permitted, however unless it is an emergency it is essential to book accommodation along the route due to its popularity.

water based activities

While the alpine lakes are a bit cold for swimming, you can still enjoy the region’s rivers and lakes by kayaking, canoeing, and jet skiing, or by taking a thrill-seeking ride on a jet boat. Plus, if one of New Zealand’s favorite pastimes appeals to you, then a day of fishing might well be on your ‘to do’ list, and you’ll be able to enjoy cooking up your freshly caught bounty at your Lake Wanaka accommodation.