Things to do in Mackenzie Country
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Alpine Springs & Spa
The Alpine Springs & Spa is open all year round with hot pools scattered amid quickly growing native trees. Private pools and saunas ($24 per hour) are also available, and spa packages start at $80. ‘Skate and Soak’ combo deals are available, and there’s a good cafe for coffee and cake, or a snack and something stronger.
reviewed
-
Discovery Tours
Discovery Tours is based in Twizel and operates guided, small-group tours around the Mackenzie Country and Aoraki/Mt Cook, including hiking and helibiking, plus a popular two-hour tour (adult/child $75/40) to the site of the Pelennor battlefield in the Lord of the Rings movies. You can even get to charge around like a mad thing wearing LOTR replica gear. A shorter one-hour LOTR tour (adult/child $30/5) is also available.
reviewed
-
Poppies Cafe
The versatile Poppies is a classy addition to the Twizel dining scene. Lunch showcases lighter meals like Thai beef salad, and dinner is a slightly more formal experience with steak frites and venison escalope. Excellent pizzas ($17 to $24) occupy a tasty middle ground. Where possible, organic and locally sourced produce is used. You’ll find Poppies on the outskirts of town near the Mackenzie Country Inn.
reviewed
-
Astro Café
This tiny, glass-walled pavilion atop Mt John has insanely spectacular 360-degree views across the entire Mackenzie Basin. Quite possibly one of the best locations on the planet for a cafe, and the coffee and cake is pretty good, too. On our latest visit they’d branched out into fresh ham-off-the-bone sandwiches. After dark the cafe becomes the location for astrophotography with local photographer Fraser Gunn.
reviewed
-
A
Pepe’s
With large booths and walls decorated with skiing paraphernalia, the rustic Pepe’s is a cosy little place with good pizza and pasta. Some of the names are a bit naff (Vinnie’s Venison or Spag Bol Bada Bing, anyone?), but the dishes are tasty, and later at night it becomes a good spot for a few quiet ones.
reviewed
-
B
Reflections
Grab an outdoor table with views to the lake – try and look past the minigolf course – then select from a decent menu that includes roasted venison or baked Mt Cook salmon. Lunchtime offerings are more casual (burgers and salads) and next door is the town’s pub for more nocturnal action.
reviewed
-
C
Kohan
The decor’s a bit ho-hum, but you should be gazing at the lake and mountains outside anyway. The Japanese food is actually among the South Island’s best, and with a salmon farm just up the road, you just know the sashimi is ultrafresh. Lunch specials are good value.
reviewed
-
Jasmine Thai Café
Thailand comes to Twizel and the zesty and zingy flavours of your favourite South East Asian beach have travelled well to get this far inland. It’s BYO (bring your own), so grab a few cold beers from the Four Square supermarket to ease the authentic heat.
reviewed
-
Grappa Lounge
Right next door to Shawty’s, its newly opened Grappa Lounge is a little slice of cosmopolitan cocktail heaven that might have you staying up later than you planned. In summer there’s occasional live music and DJs.
reviewed
-
D
Air Safaris
Does 50-minute ‘Grand Traverse’ flights over Mt Cook and its glaciers (adult/child $295/195), taking you up the Tasman Glacier, over the upper part of the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, and by Mts Cook, Tasman and Elie de Beaumont. A similar flight goes from Glentanner Park, but with higher prices (adult/child $340/240).
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Shawty’s Café
Cool beats and craft microbrews create a mood that’s surprisingly sophisticated for Twizel. Big breakfasts and gourmet pizzas ($12 to $25) are a good way to start and end an active day amid the surrounding alpine vistas.
reviewed
-
Helicopter Line
Helicopter Line flies over the Mt Cook region from a helipad beside Mackenzie Country Inn. Sightseeing flights last from 25 minutes ($220) to 60 minutes ($525) and include a snow landing.
reviewed
-
E
Church of the Good Shepherd
The diminutive, picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd beside the lake was built of stone and oak in 1935 and is a favourite for weddings given its postcard-perfect setting.
reviewed
-
F
Tekapo Helicopters
Has five options, from a 25-minute flight ($195) to a 70-minute trip taking in Mt Cook and Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers ($500). All flights include icefield landings and views of Mt Cook.
reviewed
-
Lake Tekapo Winter Park
At the western edge of the lake, the Lake Tekapo Winter Park features a year-round skating rink and a winter mini-snow slope for gentle snow-tubing action.
reviewed
-
Hunter’s Cafe & Bar
An airy space with generous mains of local produce (salmon from nearby Lake Benmore or rib-eye steak), as well as cheaper bar snacks. Later at night it morphs into a pub.
reviewed
-
G
Bakery
Pick up supplies at the Four Square supermarket and the nearby bakery
reviewed
-
H
