The Tasman Glacier is a must-do if you are visiting Aoraki National Park. The 23 km glacier is the longest glacier in New Zealand, and is 600 m deep at its deepest point, Tasman lake is 2 km long and growing as the glacier recedes. Gaze up the valley at the incredible glacier, surrounded by steep mountain cliff sides, glacial moraine, and the beautiful teal blue glacial lake. You may also be lucky enough to see the glacier calving or see icebergs floating downstream.

A short 20 minute walk from the carpark will take you to a viewing point. There is another track that will take you to the lakeshore. This is a beautiful perspective of the scale of the valley where you get up close to the lakes and some of the ice bergs!

If these viewpoints aren’t enough, you can get up close personal to Tasman Glacier with a scenic flight, or boat tour.

Remember: The glacier is regularly calving, watch for any large waves caused by ice falling off the glacier.

Personal tip: I also recommend taking a short detour to the Blue Lakes (which are actually green…?)

Pronunciation: Aoraki - ow-raa-kee

For more info, listen to Episode 029 / 054 / 079 of the Aotearoa Adventures podcast.