Tasman Glacier

New Zealand’s Longest Glacier

Lying long and deep in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is the incredible Haupapa/Tasman Glacier, a terminal ice structure that is the biggest of its kind in New Zealand.

This magnificent glacier is the largest of several in the region that flows towards the Mackenzie Basin from the Southern Alps. With a depth of over 600m, and stretching for 27km, seeing the ever-changing face of the glacier is a once in a life time experience. There are many different ways to see and experience this spectacular glacier.

Settled in its own terminal lake, the 300-500-year-old ice shelf is slowly tearing away, depositing icebergs of all shapes and sizes in to the water. The lake is one of only a few in the world that contains icebergs.

Eventually the glacier will retreat entirely, and the lake will reach its maximum size. In 1973, there was no terminal lake at all, and by 2008 it had grown to 7kms in length.

The upper areas of the glacier are covered with snow, and taking scenic helicopter flight which lands on the top of the glacier is a truly magical experience.