Where to Find Cheap Accommodation in Mt Cook
Aoraki Mt Cook is definitely more about the stunning alpine destination than it is about where you stay. With that in mind, stick to your travel budget by staying in budget accommodation in Mt Cook! From backpacker dorms to private ensuite rooms, there is at least something for every traveller; just note that accommodation providers are limited. Be sure to book your spot early, no matter the season, to avoid having to pay more to stay somewhere else.
For more cheap accommodation in Mt Cook, as well as budget tips, see The Guide to Mt Cook on a Budget.
1. Mt Cook Lodge & Motels
Offering a range of accommodation types, the Mt Cook Lodge & Motels has a few budget rooms in the mix. Book a bed in a four-bed dorm or enjoy your own space in one of the standard double/twin rooms, either with a view or without for a cheaper rate. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms. There is a small communal kitchen hidden upstairs, should you want to save money by making your own meals. See more accommodation like this in the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Mt Cook.
Check Mt Cook Lodge & Motels out:
© Mt Cook Lodge and Motel2. Glentanner Park Centre
Offering affordable units, a backpacker dorm and camping sites, Glentanner Park Centre is a worthy budget accommodation option just a 35-minute drive from Mt Cook Village. Stay on the shores of Lake Pukaki in either the 10-bed dormitory or in your own space of a basic unit, using the communal kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities of the holiday park. They also have self-contained units, should you want all the essentials at your fingertips. Note that the holiday park has seasonal rates, so you’ll find it cheaper in winter (May to September). See more stays like this in the 8 Best Family Accommodations in Mt Cook.
Check Glentanner Park Centre out:
- Glentanner Park Centre on Booking.com
- Glentanner Park Centre on Trip.com
- Glentanner Park Centre on Expedia
© Glentanner Park Centre3. Mount Cook Station
Get the New Zealand high country experience at Mount Cook Station. Certainly off the beaten track on the east side of Lake Pukaki and the Tasman River (opposite side to Mt Cook Village, which is 1h30mins away by road), you’re in for quite a unique Mt Cook experience. The cheapest accommodations here are the “Station Huts”, away from the main homestead and with a communal bathroom and kitchen. Note that there is limited phone reception and that you may need snow chains to reach the station in winter. For more couple-friendly options, check out the 5 Best Romantic Accommodations in Mt Cook.
Check Mount Cook Station out:
© Mount Cook Station Shearers Quarters Lodge4. High Country Lodge, Motels & Backpackers (Twizel)
As we have exhausted our cheap accommodation in the immediate Mt Cook area, that leaves you with some of the budget offerings in Twizel, a 50-minute drive away from Mt Cook Village. High Country Lodge does a bit of everything when it comes to budget accommodation. There are blocks with backpacker dorms and private rooms with shared bathrooms and ensuites, blocks with self-contained motel units including a kitchenette, and holiday homes. Guests have access to spacious lawn areas and a huge communal dining room with a small kitchen (get in there quick if you’re visiting in the high season)! See more like this in the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Twizel.
Check High Country Lodge out:
© High Country Lodge, Motels & Backpackers5. Twizel Holiday Park (Twizel)
Another budget option in Twizel near Mt Cook, Twizel Holiday Park offers private twin rooms with shared facilities, ensuite cabins, self-contained apartments and, of course, camping sites for your campervan or tent. There is a communal kitchen for campers which is basic and requires your own cooking utensils. Those staying in the cabins have a better-equipped kitchen with an oven, stovetop, all the utensils and everything you’d expect. The holiday park also hires out bikes for guests.
Check Twizel Holiday Park out:
© Twizel Holiday Park[CLOSED] YHA Mt Cook
Book your bed quickly for this popular backpacker hostel in the heart of Mt Cook Village. The solar-powered lodge has a log cabin design with a welcoming fire in the lounge. After preparing dinner in the fully-equipped communal kitchen and dining area, retreat to either one of the shared dorm rooms or private double, twin, triple or quadruple rooms, all with shared bathroom facilities. Additional facilities include a sauna, electric vehicle charging, 5GB of free WiFi per day and an outdoor barbecue area with awesome mountain views.
More Budget Accommodations in Mt Cook
That’s it for our list of the best cheap budget accommodations in Mt Cook, but it’s by no means the end of our expert travel advice! Check out these articles for more inspiration for your trip:
- 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Mt Cook
- 5 Best Motels in Mt Cook
- 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Mt Cook
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Guide to Mt Cook on a Budget.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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