The Department of Conservation has revealed the opening date for a replacement suspension bridge spanning a whopping 189m across the Hooker River.
DOC said the eagerly anticipated new suspension bridge at Aoraki Mount Cook National Park would open to the public at 3pm on Tuesday, July 28, following a private event and blessing from mana whenua.
The track up the Hooker Valley was the one of the most popular day hikes in the country, and attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
The bridge cost $4.85 million, and was estimated to bring around $167 million in revenue to the Mackenzie District over the next 10 years.
The new bridge would replace a much smaller one which closed last April after rainfall and storms caused riverbank erosion.
Aoraki/Mount Cook District Operations Manager Sally Jones said the longest suspension bridge in New Zealand marked an "impressive feat of engineering and construction skill".
“The completion of this project is a significant milestone for Aoraki and a testament to the dedication, skill and commitment of everyone who has helped make this happen,” she said.
Jones said construction of the new bridge began in August 2025, and teams had worked in the sub-alpine environment battling 180km/h winds and multiple un-seasonal snowfalls.
The engineer and architect behind the unique bridge design, Dan Crocker of DC Structures Studio, said he "can't wait to see people crossing it".
"It’s not just the longest suspension bridge in New Zealand; it’s the longest single span footbridge of any kind in the country. Getting the opportunity to design a bridge like this in one of our most iconic locations was an amazing experience," he said.
Jones said while the views on the track were "awe inspiring", it was important for people to remember the winter conditions at Aoraki at this time of year.
“The reality at this time of year is that the track can be very icy and it can also be extremely cold. People need to be prepared for sub-alpine conditions. You need good solid walking boots or shoes, warm winter clothing, hats and gloves," she said.
"The weather and the environment can be brutal. The best part of the day in winter is often around late morning to mid-afternoon when the sun has warmed things up a bit."
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