A day in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park as a wheelchair user.

Location

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is simply stunning, offering a wide range of walking tracks for all levels of experience. These tracks vary in length, from short walks to multi-day tramps, with accommodations available in Department of Conservation (DoC) huts along the way. We had heard that the start of the popular Hooker Valley Track is accessible with an all-terrain wheelchair, so we were eager to see how far we could go before encountering any barriers.

Finlay and I were traveling to the national park for the day from Twizel, a 50-minute drive away. Earlier, we had visited the NZ Alpine Lavender Farm, where we fully immersed ourselves in everything lavender. We used the power chair at the farm and considered doing the same for the Hooker Valley track. However, I decided against it because the track terrain was mostly gravel. Since the power chair can lose traction on gradients, it seemed more appropriate to use the all-terrain wheelchair. This meant I needed to find someone to assist with a two-person lift and transfer. The car park was also gravel, making it difficult to use our Molift transit mobile hoist.

I began getting Finlay out of the van and positioned correctly for a safe transfer. The Hooker Valley Track is a popular destination, so it wasn’t hard to find someone willing to help. A kind German couple walked by and were more than happy to lend a hand.

Accessible toilets are available at the start of the track at the White Horse Hill Campground. Another accessible toilet is located at the end of the three-hour walk down to the glacial lake, but we knew we wouldn’t reach that point due to the steps along the way.

A large map is available that shows your location, key points along the trail, and the estimated times to reach each destination.

The trail starts off relatively flat, with manageable gradients that allowed me to push Finlay in his all-terrain chair. It was nice to meet people along the way who were eager to help with pushing. Although I didn’t need the assistance, I welcomed it, as did Finlay. It allowed us to chat comfortably without him having to strain his neck to look at me.

On this trip, it was clear that Finlay was struggling to keep himself sitting upright. The heat made him especially tired, and although I had applied plenty of sunscreen, he insisted on not wearing a hat. I also had difficulty keeping Finlay’s legs secured in the footwell; a towel I placed there kept slipping out. We have since resolved these issues by purchasing accessories for the Hippocampe all-terrain wheelchair: an umbrella for shade, netting to fill the gap between the seat and footwell (where Finlay’s feet kept slipping), and a Stabilo Seating System for better support in the chair. We didn’t have these items on this trip, but I’m looking forward to sharing our experience with them. On this day, Finlay was hot, tired, and uncomfortable, but he brightened up when others on the trail joined us along the way.

We reached the first viewing platform before the gradient and steps became too steep for me to manage pushing. The incredible views were well worth the effort.

From our vantage point, we could clearly see the valley below and where the trail would have taken us. If we had been able to navigate the initial series of steps, the trail might have led us all the way through. The tramper in me looks forward to returning someday to experience the entire trail.

Mount Cook Visitor Information Centre

After our walk to the first lookout point on the Hooker Valley Track, we decided to find somewhere for lunch. We discovered an accessible bar and restaurant right next to the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre. Feeling refreshed afterward, we explored the information centre, which turned out to be a treasure trove of mountaineering history. The centre was also highly accessible, with excellent parking right out front for our large van. It was a relief to say goodbye to gravel and hello to smooth, sealed tarmac.

When you first arrive at the entrance of the information centre, your attention is immediately drawn to the window with its stunning view of Aoraki Mount Cook.

We found it easy to move around inside the Information Centre, with all the exhibits fully accessible.

This information centre had so much to learn and read about that it felt more like a museum. The souvenir shop gave us a laugh when we spotted portable toilet kits—something we’d never use, but they certainly got us thinking!

After exploring the first floor, I saw the steps leading down to the lower level. To our delight, we also noticed a lift. You could either take the winding ramp outside to the gardens below or use the lift. However, each hinged door required someone to open it to allow a wheelchair user through.

We decided to try both routes just for fun! It was great to have two accessible options to choose from.

Once outside, we continued to follow the stories of the early pioneers. This place is full of monumental adventures to read and absorb.

The visitor centre is definitely worth a visit, and the drive back to Twizel is simply stunning.

Further Reading

• A visit with a powerchair to the NZ Alpine Lavendar Farm, near Twizel