The Governors Bush Walk is one of the few walks that leads you through a forest as opposed to the native bush and low-lying vegetation of the region.

From the public shelter, you can either follow the path along the road and then head up the Governors Bush walk from where the path divides with the Red Tarns track or you can immediately start your ascent from the public shelter. Since it is a loop track, you’ll get to enjoy everything the walk offers either way. 

Make your way uphill through the thick forest. The steps on the walk are spread apart and you will find tree roots underfoot amongst the graveled path. The climb is steady and leads to a ridge from which you can easily overlook Mount Wakefield and Mount Cook. The ridge is flat, which has allowed a bench to be placed at the top of the track. Continuing along after the ridge, you will make your way back down using more wide-spread steps. 

From the side of the track that connects to the Red Tarns track, you will even be able to hear the rushing stream in the distance.

Quick Facts about this walk

  • Location: Mt Cook, South Island, New Zealand
  • Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour walk
  • Distance: 1.5 km
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Bikes allowed: No
  • Route: Loop
  • Elevation: 100m
  • Wet Feet: Yes, after snow or heavy rain
  • Toilets: There are toilets at the public shelter, which is the start of the walk.
  • Dogs: No, dogs are not allowed in the Mount Cook National Park
  • Mobile Coverage: Yes, very good
  • Last Updated: April, 2020

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Summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

The walk is easy and offers views of the mountains and the valley. There is a bench at the top of the hike, which is also about the halfway point, where you can rest and enjoy said views.

Track Quality

The track is maintained and cared for by the Department of Conservation. The track is well-gravelled.

Hazards

Steps and zigzags

Transport

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is only accessible by car or tour buses including GreatSights, Clark’s and the Cook Connection. There is no public transportation within the National Park.

Water

The public shelter has drinkable tap water.

Driving Instructions

The start of the walk is at the public shelter, which has a carpark.

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

The Hermitage hotel offers a buffet restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel also has an a la carte restaurant for dinner, and a cafe that runs from 8:30am to 4:30pm. There is also a gift shop and museum in the hotel. The Mount Cook Lodge and Motels has a pub and grill that opens at 3pm and serves food until 10pm. The Old Mountaineer’s Cafe runs from 10am to 7:30pm but shuts between 3:30pm and 5:00pm. These are all within 0 to 15 minutes’ walk from the start of the walk.

Area & Trail History

The national park and its famous mountain gets its name from Maori legend. Aoraki and his three brothers, the sons of Rakinui, the Sky father, set out on a discovery of the Earth Mother in their canoe. The canoe was struck by a reef. The brothers climbed onto the top of the canoe and they froze and turned to stone. The South Island of New Zealand represents the canoe, while the brothers are the Southern Alps—the tallest being Aoraki (Mount Cook). European settlers changed the name of the mountain from Aoraki to Mount Cook, but the mountain was once more renamed Aoraki Mount Cook to acknowledge its Maori heritage. The mountain has also been climbed by Sir Edmund Hillary, who went on to climb Mount Everest. The Governors Bush Walk itself does not have any significant history.

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