Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
4
About
Designed to educate and entertain, the centre features a spectacular state-of-the-art 3D movie, New Zealand's first full dome digital Planetarium and Museum which documents the pioneering heart of the region and features the impressive Hillary Gallery. The cafe and bar area offers indoor and outdoor seating and floor to ceiling mountain views.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
5 within 5 kms
Attractions
13 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Jibby9Lakes Entrance, Australia286 contributionsGreat for those interested in the great achieverGreat content and you even get to watch a movie at your leisure. Well worth it if you already have an interest in Sir Edmund Hillary but if you've never heard of him, then perhaps do your homework before you go in. Great photos and paraphernalia from his famous treks.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten November 7, 2023
- dbl201Palm Beach, Australia69 contributionsWe love Mount Cook, New Zealand at its Best!We've been there before some years ago with some American friends and the four of us revisited it again. This place is fabulous, great scenery, interesting visit to the Edmond Hillary Museum. The planetarium session was a bit disappointing, partly because we could hardly hear the script read by a young man (without much enthusiasm in my view). At the alpine centre, the food was good, plenty of choices and the staff generally very kind. Accommodation was excellent at the Aoraki Motel, well appointed cabins and friendly owner.Visited November 2023Travelled with friendsWritten November 26, 2023
- JHMTTLWoodbine, Maryland1,795 contributionsSir Edmund Hillary Alpine CentreThe Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre is located in the Mt. Cook Hermitage Hotel. It consists of displays of the life of Sir Edmund Hillary as well as other explorers. The equipment is primitive compared to current options. I encourage you to take take your time and watch the two short movies. Sir Edmund Hillary climbed the local mountains to develop his skills before conquering Mt. Everest.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten March 15, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
622 reviews
Excellent
248
Very good
211
Average
95
Poor
41
Terrible
27
Rachel D
6 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
The 3D film was not showing when we visited today, nor is it running (we were told) for the next week or so due to technical issues. We didn’t learn this until after we’d already paid full price for tickets. When we asked where we could see the film and why it was full price if it wasn’t showing, we were told that the price paid was for the “museum,” and that the film was something that normally came free with the museum ticket—not part of the museum itself. Utter rubbish, as the museum advertises itself as having a state of the art 3D film experience. The “museum” is just a room of picture panels from Hilary’s life and about the history of the hotel. I can’t believe they had the audacity to charge so much without telling us the film wasn’t running, and to not even apologize or offer a refund when we complained. Seems like a money-grabbing venture for the hotel using Hilary’s name and fame for financial gain.
Written February 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trent C
Wellington, New Zealand31 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
This place feels a little corporate- using Hillary’s image to sell souvenirs to tourists.
That said, it has some interesting artefacts - restores tractors from polar expeditions, a ski plane, and a vintage truck. These make it worthwhile.
That said, it has some interesting artefacts - restores tractors from polar expeditions, a ski plane, and a vintage truck. These make it worthwhile.
Written July 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kiwifreespirits
Auckland, New Zealand113 contributions
Feb 2021
We visited this exhibition on our last visit a few years ago and wanted to have another look . We again really enjoyed looking at the memorabilia on display . It is much more than an exhibition on Sir Edmund Hilary as important as this undoubtedly is . Even in respect of Sir Ed it is a reminder of his Antartic adventures and achievements which understandably tend to be overshadowed by the legend of Everest .There is excellent information on other notable mountaineers and also the very interesting history of Mt Cook Airlines and the the Mt Cook area including developement over the years . Well worth a visit . Last time we also watched the excellent film in the theaterette but skipped it this time. Not sure how often the fil runs at the moment as unusual times with less visitors about
Written March 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris H
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
Save your money and look at most of it from the cafe! We thought we would attend the museum and with prices being high we thought we were in for an experience. We spent maximum of 20mins inside looking at pics which were good but could have seen them from the electronic display outside, movie was already going so missed that and the projector in main area wasn’t on even though I tried to get it going.
Written July 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shelley M
Albany, New Zealand905 contributions
Nov 2022
Was a bit disappointed as not that much information about Sir Ed. The cafe was roped off so we could get anything and it was pretty small with not a lot to see. The information centre has more information. Paid $20 each to enter.
Written November 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maureen W
3 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Walked into the museum and almost instantly saw a film where a small boy was being horribly beaten. There may be some context to this but it so unnerved me we left after 15 minutes and it’s bothered me since. There needs to be a warning or a specific room so the unexpecting person is not shocked. Or better yet edit that horror out.
Written March 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dbl201
Palm Beach, Australia69 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
We've been there before some years ago with some American friends and the four of us revisited it again. This place is fabulous, great scenery, interesting visit to the Edmond Hillary Museum. The planetarium session was a bit disappointing, partly because we could hardly hear the script read by a young man (without much enthusiasm in my view).
At the alpine centre, the food was good, plenty of choices and the staff generally very kind. Accommodation was excellent at the Aoraki Motel, well appointed cabins and friendly owner.
At the alpine centre, the food was good, plenty of choices and the staff generally very kind. Accommodation was excellent at the Aoraki Motel, well appointed cabins and friendly owner.
Written November 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
米老鼠
Christchurch, New Zealand34 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
It's a small museum plus a theater playing documentary about Sir Edmund Hillary. Good experience and to know this great Kiwi. Super friendly staff and she is very helpful, i rate her 5 stars. Well done.
是一个非常小的博物馆和中等大小的电影放映室。播放第一个等上珠穆朗玛的人的一些纪录片。非常友善的员工，感谢你
是一个非常小的博物馆和中等大小的电影放映室。播放第一个等上珠穆朗玛的人的一些纪录片。非常友善的员工，感谢你
Written July 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue2ieq
Auckland, New Zealand13 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
Exorbitant price for what is there! We were told it would take 30 to 40 mins to make our way around.... we were done in 10. Happy to pay ... but not more than $10. I've been to far better museums for way less money. Very frustrated!
Written April 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jibby9
Lakes Entrance, Australia286 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Great content and you even get to watch a movie at your leisure. Well worth it if you already have an interest in Sir Edmund Hillary but if you've never heard of him, then perhaps do your homework before you go in. Great photos and paraphernalia from his famous treks.
Written November 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi ..I'm struggling to find a link to book a stargazing tour here ? All the links keep taking ne to book a room at the hermitage hotle which is sold out for my dates ? How did you book the stargazing ? Many thanks, J
Written September 6, 2017
It's not something you should book until you get there due to weather. We always book the stargazing tour once we have arrived in the village and know what the weather is going to be like as it's no use booking that particular tour if it's going to be cloudy. We booked through the hotel.
Written September 18, 2017
How much time should we allow for touring the Alpine Centre?
Written July 1, 2017
We will be in Mt Cook on Friday 21st April. How crowded will it be?
Written April 10, 2017
After Easter is really the start of the low season, apart from the school holidays, but unless it is raining most people will be outside walking and the Centre is unlikely to be too crowded. I last went in high season on a rainy day & it wasn't full even then. It is quite a small space however.
Written April 10, 2017
Hi, I'm planning to visit New Zealand for the first time and I think I will be on South Island between Earth Day and Astronomy Day (22 to 29 April 2017). Which is the best road to drive in the dark sky reserve if I want to observe the night skies on a road trip from Abel Tasman National Park to Queenstown?
Written September 5, 2016
Hi, I have photographed at Lake Pukaki recently and its amazing, just from the dam wall, the whole sky is filled with more stars than you would ever see in city areas.
Out of Wanaka and Queenstown townships are also great.
If you look up Aurora Australis forecast when you are there you may score an Aurora as well, keep in mind its usually only visible using a camera using a long exposure.
Written September 7, 2016
Showing results 1-4 of 4
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing