Mount Cook National Park

Twizel is the nearest town outside the Mount Cook National Park, an alpine park that is part of the South Westland World Heritage area. Over a third of the park is permanent snow and glacier ice. It has the world’s longest ski run, down the Tasman Glacier and Hooker Glacier. There are alpine walks you can do in the park including Hooker Valley Track that takes 3 hours and Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier view which is a 40 minutes return. The Park has the highest mountain in New Zealand, Mount Cook and is a popular tourist attraction.

Mackenzie Country

A natural habitat region of grass hill country, extending to the base of the Southern Alps. The region offers many peaceful lakes and rivers where you can enjoy excellent trout fishing. Geraldine is a small farming town nearby which is a popular stopping point for travellers on their way to Mackenzie County.

Kaka Visitor Hide

One of Twizel most central attractions is the Kaka Visitor Hide. The Kaki or black stilt is one of the rarest wading birds in the world, and the species has been subject to intensive conservation management since 1981. It is look upon by Maori as a taonga species – a living treasure. Visitors can take turns to view captive breeding birds from specially designed places.

Lake Benmore

A 75-sq km hydroelectric dam that has become a favourite boating destination. It is the largest man-made lake in New Zealand.

Twizel Information Centre

For more information and maps it’s a good idea to stop by the Twizel Information Centre located at the Twizel Events Centre. They can be contacted on (03) 435 3124.

Market Place

There is lots happening at the Market Place in Market lace Street, Twizel. There are fine restaurants, cafe, shopping centre and a supermarket.

upper waitaki hydro development scheme

Twizel was built in 1968 as a construction town for the Upper Waitaki hydroelectric development scheme. It was intended that the town would be removed once the hydro scheme was finished, however in 1983 the local people effectively fought to keep hold of the town, and began to take advantage of its closeness to excellent fishing and boating lakes, and to Mount Cook 61km away.

An important feature of the Upper Waitaki hydro development scheme is 58km of man-made canals, which bring together the resources of Lakes Tekapo, Pukaki and Ohau. The lakes created by the hydro scheme have become popular venues for water sports.

Lake Ruataniwha, a man-made lake just south of Twizel, is also popular for water sports such as sailing, water skiing and famous rowing events. It has an International standard rowing course and is the place of national rowing events every year. From Lake Ruataniwha, a preserved rear road leads to Lake Benmore, a 75-sq km hydroelectric dam that has also become a favourite boating destination.

Lake Benmore

View of Mount Cook from Twizel

One of Twizel most central attractions is the Kaka Visitor Hide. The Kaki or black stilt is one of the rarest wading birds in the world, and the species has been subject to intensive conservation management since 1981. It is look upon by M?ori as a taonga species – a living treasure. Visitors can take turns to view captive breeding birds from specially designed places.

black stilt - one of the rarest wading birds in the world

 
For more ideas on things to do in Twizel, click here.