Mount Sefton, left and The Footstool, right, in the Mt Cook National Park. A climber found on the slopes of The Footstool has died. Photo: Jude Gillies

An Australian woman has died after falling 300 metres off a mountain in Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park on New Zealand's south island.

Mid-South Canterbury area commander Inspector Dave Gaskin said the 29-year-old woman was alive when a locator beacon was set off by members of a climbing party on the Eugene Glacier about 8.25am on Wednesday.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was sent from Christchurch to the area and airlifted the woman to the Aoraki Mount Cook Search and Rescue Base where she received medical treatment.

"Unfortunately she passed away a short time later," Inspector Gaskin said.

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The woman, whose family were still being notified of her death, was an experienced climber and was well-equipped. Weather conditions on the mountain were good, Inspector Gaskin said.

She had fallen 300 metres from near the top of the 2764-metre Footstool mountain peak onto the glacier.

"The other members of the climbing party have been airlifted back to Mt Cook village and are helping police piece together what led to the accident occurring," Gaskin said.

The woman's death had been referred to the coroner.

Police investigations have indicated the fall was an accident.

It was the second climbing death in the past month in the Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park.

Stephen Dowall, a South Canterbury-raised UN worker based in Myanmar, died after failing to reach the Empress Hut, at the head of the Hooker Glacier, in poor conditions in late November.

The 52-year-old was reported missing by his climbing companion, Wanaka's Rob Hawes, after the two were separated.

Inspector Gaskin said police urged those going climbing should carry a personal locator beacon so that help could be sent quickly in an emergency.

The woman's name is expected to released on Thursday after her family has been informed.

Stuff.co.nz