drive from Te Anau > Mt Cook > CHC worth it?

Thanks for the tips - you were right about accom, we ended up booking Mount Cook Backpacker Lodge for a bit over $100, but accom in Twizel was also a similar price so I thought it'd be better to be closer to the mountain on our last night in NZ. I'll definitely be doing the Hooker Valley hike though sounds like a perfect way to end a beautifully scenic trip - so thanks for that!