Things to do in South Canterbury
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Old Mountaineers Café, Bar & Restaurant
Cosy in winter, with mountain views from outside tables in summer, this place delivers top-notch burgers, pizza, pasta and salad and is a good-value alternative to the eateries at the Hermitage. Linger to study the old black-and-white pics and mountaineering memorabilia. You might still be there for happy hour – actually two hours – when it kicks off at 5pm. Paid wi-fi access is also available.
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Mt Cook Salmon Farm
Some 15km west of Lake Tekapo along SH8 is the signposted turn-off to the Mt Cook Salmon Farm. The farm operates in a hydroelectric canal system and is 12km from the turn-off. A scenic drive along the canal has popular fishing spots and enjoys great views of Mt Cook. Stop at the farm to feed the fish, or pick up something smoked or fresh for dinner.
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Aigantighe Art Gallery
Aigantighe Art Gallery is one of the South Island’s largest public galleries, a 900-piece collection of NZ and European art from the previous four centuries set up in a 1908 mansion, and adorned externally by a sculpture garden (always open). The gallery’s Gaelic name means ‘at home’ and is pronounced ‘egg-and-tie’.
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South Canterbury Museum
South Canterbury Museum has historical and natural artefacts of the region. Hanging from the ceiling is a replica of the aeroplane designed and flown by local pioneer aviator and inventor Richard Pearse. Many believe his mildly successful attempts at manned flight came before the Wright brothers first flew in 1903.
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Chamois Bar
Chamois Bar is upstairs in Glencoe Lodge, 500m from the YHA, where it entertains with a pool table, big-screen TV, and the occasional live gig. It’s a good place to catch up over a burger or nachos with the international crew of mountain guides and travellers who call the village home during summer.
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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
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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
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Mount Cook Ski Planes
Mount Cook Ski Planes, based at Mt Cook Airport, offers 40-minute (adult/child $375/275) and 55-minute (adult/child $495/375) flights, both with snow landings. Flightseeing without a landing is a cheaper option; try the 25-minute Mini Tasman trip (adult/child $255/210).
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Ginger & Garlic
Timaru’s take on sophisticated food with a subtle Asian spin is showcased at this long-running local favourite. Standouts include calamari and prawn spring rolls, and honey-spice pork on sticky miso rice. The menu also includes dishes with a European and Middle Eastern influence.
reviewed
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Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
In late 2007, the new Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre opened just three weeks before the death of the man regarded as the greatest New Zealander of all time. His recorded commentary for the museum was only recorded a few months before he died in January 2008.
reviewed
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Mount Cook Mountains High Helicopter Flight
by Viator
The premier flight over this amazing alpine region with vast snowfields, glaciers and a spectacular view of New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook. Fly t…Not LP reviewed
from USD$303.77 -
Alpine Recreation
Alpine Recreation, based in Lake Tekapo, organises high-altitude guided treks in the area, as well as mountaineering courses and ski touring. The challenging three-day Ball Pass Trek between the Tasman and Hooker Valleys costs $650 (November to April only).
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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.
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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.
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Off the Rail Café
This funky licensed cafe is at the train station. Fire up the jukebox crammed with ’70s tunes, and sample Kiwi baked goodies and more contemporary globally influenced dishes. It’s open late for drinks and occasional live music on Saturday night.
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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
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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).
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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.
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Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden
Passionate rose buffs should visit the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden with more than 1000 romantic blooms set around arbours and water features. The finest display is from December to February.
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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
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Mount Cook Alpine Explorer Helicopter Flight
by Viator
Experience this magnificent alpine environment with a high scenic flight over the Ben Ohau mountains. Watch as the landscape changes from low rolling hills, bec…Not LP reviewed
from USD$224.59
