Discover one of the shortest walks in the Mount Cook National Park which offers spectacular views of the Mueller Glacier moraine wall and Aoraki.
If you’re after a shorter hike in the Mount Cook National Park, then the Kea Point 3 km return hike is a great option. This is an easy yet rewarding hike that is much less trafficked than the Hooker Valley track.
The viewpoint offers unique views of the Mueller glacial lake and moraine, as well as Mount Cook and Mount Sefton.
How to Get to the Kea Point Track
The Kea Point Track starts from Mount Cook National Park, just near the White Horse Hill Camp Site. This is the same area where you can start the Hooker Valley Track, Sealy Tarns Track, and the Mueller Hut hike.
Location: Trail to Kea Point
The best way to get to the Mount Cook National Park hiking area is to drive yourself. There is a large car park here where you can leave your car for free. That being said, this car park can get very busy in peak season, so plan to arrive early.
Alternatively, you can walk from Mount Cook Town however this will add an extra 1 km to the route.
My Experience on the Kea Point Track
- Hike Distance & Duration: 3 km in 1-2 hours
- Elevation: 180 m total gain
- Difficulty: Easy
We followed signs from the White Horse Hill campsite after we parked our car. The clearly marked Kea Point track leads slowly into the subalpine shrub. After about 10 minutes, the trail splits.
The left fork leads onto the Sealy Tarns Track and the Mueller Hut Route. We continued on the right, following signs to Kea Point.
The trail then began to climb gently through grassland and low scrub. Before we knew it we had arrived at the Kea Point Lookout.
Once we had snapped some epic shots we headed back to the carpark via the same trail.
Tip: The track is known to become icy/slippery during the winter!
About the Kea Point Lookout
The wooden viewing platform at Kea Point offers expansive views of the Footstool, the Hooker Valley, the Mueller Glacier Lake and Moraine, Mount Sefton, and Aoraki/Mount Cook.
The name "Kea Point" comes from the Kea bird, an intelligent and cheeky native alpine parrot native to the Mount Cook National Park, and can often be spotted on the track.
Tip: Do NOT feed the birds!
Quick Tips For The Hike
Below I've also included some quick tips to help you plan a day of hiking in the Mount Cook National Park.
- Check Mount Cook National Park weather updates
- Notify somebody of your intentions (DOC)
- Keep your pack light
What To Pack For Kea Point Track
Here are some things to pack for the hike.
- Water bottle
- Head Torch (always just as a precaution)
- Muesli Bar or other Trail snacks
- Sturdy boots or trail runners
- Rain Jacket
- Camera
Tip: Weather can change rapidly. I've experienced snow, rain, and wind along the park's tracks, so it's best to be prepared!
I hope that you enjoyed this quick guide to hiking Kea Point Mount Cook National Park.
If you're looking for more hikes and things to do in the area, check out the list of articles and guides below.
- 36 Amazing Places to Visit in the South Island - my most comprehensive travel guide that is useful to help you find the best places to visit on your trip to the South Island
- Top Things to Do in Queenstown: Explore Queenstown's top hikes, epic adrenaline activities, and hidden gems.
- South Island's Best Hikes: I hiked over 50 trails in New Zealand. Here's my curated list of the most breathtaking hikes across New Zealand's South Island.
- Arthur's Pass Travel Guide: Dive into the heart of Arthur's Pass with my guide to the best places to visit.
- Best Mount Cook National Park Hikes: A hiking guide to the most scenic trails beneath Mount Cook.
- Best Views of Mount Cook: Discover the top spots to witness New Zealand's Aoraki peak in all its glory.
- Epic Things to do at Milford Sound: Explore 21 unique ideas get inspired to visit Milford Sound!
- Catlins' Hidden Gems: Uncover the Catlins' best-kept secrets, from waterfalls to wild coastlines.
- Accommodation Resources: Plan where to stay in Queenstown and discover the amazing Tekapo Lake Hotels.
