Twizel is Mackenzie Country's largest town in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. Although it's the largest town in Mackenzie Country, it's well-visited as it's the closest decently-sized town near Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.

Understand

The town of Twizel emerged as a workers' settlement during the construction of hydroelectric power stations in the Waitaki River region. Today the town's industry is on tourism. It's not just the nearby Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park that attracts visitors, it's also the nearby glacial lakes and reservoirs such as Lake Ruataniwha and Lake Benmore, which are popular with water sports enthusiasts, especially rowers.

Visitor information

• newzealand.com

Get in

Although 1 Pukaki Airport (TWZ  ^IATA) is nearby, it is only used by charter flights as of Feb 2024.

The easiest way to get in otherwise is via State Highway 8, the only highway passing through the town. It is about 60 km southwest of Lake Tekapo and 30 km north of Omarama. The road is very much in good condition with a 100 km/h limit the entire way with little to no narrow bridges.

See

• 1 Lake Ruataniwha View Point, 2609 Twizel-Omarama Road, Glenbrook. A very serene roadside lookout a few kilometres to the south of Twizel. (updated Feb 2024)
• Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park – about an hour north, which Twizel acts as a gateway to.

Do

• Twizel River Trail. An easygoing 12-km trail (one way) along the Twizel River – it takes 4 hours on foot and 2 hours on a mountain bike. (updated Feb 2024)

Eat

• 1 FishTail Restaurant and Bar, 12c Market Pl, ☏ +64 3 435 0323. Indian restaurant with fusion. (updated Feb 2024)
• 2 Jasmine Thai Restaurant, 1 Market Pl, ☏ +64 3 435 3232. A Thai restaurant that seemingly punches above its weight considering its location. Has all the essentials of a Thai restaurant and isn't too expensive or fancy. (updated Feb 2024)
• 3 Mint Folk & Co, 4 Market Pl, ☏ +64 3 435 3155. Ordinary Kiwi restaurant. (updated Feb 2024)

Sleep

• 1 High Country Lodge and Backpackers, 23 Mackenzie Dr, ☏ +64 3 435 0671, info@highcountrylodge.co.nz. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. (updated Feb 2024)
• 2 Mackenzie Lodge, 227 MacKenzie Dr. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 10AM. (updated Feb 2024)

Go next

Assuming you'd have already visited Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, the next obvious choices would be Lake Tekapo to the north and Omarama to the south.

Routes via Twizel

Cromwell ← Omarama ←	SW  NE	→ Lake Tekapo → Timaru
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park ← Glentanner ←	N  S	→ END