4 minute read
Twizel Must Do's
Ben Ōhau Peak Walk
Give yourself at least six hours to summit and return via Greta Stream. At the top are views of the Mackenzie Region and its four lakes: Ōhau, Pūkaki, Benmore and man-made Lake Ruataniwha.
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Lake Ruataniwha, credit Jack Austin
Twizel River Trail
This takes four hours to walk or two to bike and passes some uncrowded swimming holes.
Cycling
Parts of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail travel through Twizel so cyclists can easily sample a section or two of the route. Several companies in Twizel hire bikes and e-bikes and provide pick-ups and drop-offs.
Water Rides
Operating from the Lake Ruataniwha Holiday Park from September to May, rent anything from transparent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards to swan-shaped pedal boats and water bikes!
Ski Fields
Twizel is well positioned for three excellent ski fields. Mt Dobson and Roundhill Ski Area are a 90-minute drive away; Ōhau Snow Fields is 45 minutes from town.
High Country Salmon Farm
See how salmon is farmed, feed the fish and catch your own.
Ruataniwha Conservation Park
This playground for outdoor enthusiasts has walks and bike tracks, fishing, climbing, 4WD and hunting opportunities alongside DOC campsites and huts.
The Musterers Hut
A cosy spot with food, gift shop and mini-golf.
Red Cat Biplane Flights
If a flight in an open cockpit biplane isn’t on your bucket-list, it should be!
Skydive
Jump out of a plane with Skydive Mt Cook, arguably one of the most scenic sky dives in Aotearoa.
Fishing
Enjoy an abundance of lakes, canals and rivers on Twizel’s doorstep, all flush with fish. Licences, gear and guides are all available in town.
Resurrection Distillery
This unique distillery focuses on making hand-crafted, small batch runs of white whisky and fragrant botanical gin, just 8kms outside of Twizel.
Twizel, credit Jack Austin
Lake Ohaū Must Do's
Ōhau Ski Fields
It’s not the largest ski field in Aotearoa, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in stunning scenery – the views across Lake Ōhau are exceptional.
Lake Ōhau
Just as beautiful as the likes of Lake Tekapō but far less known, Lake Ōhau is a vision of pristine blue water and snowy mountains. Make the effort and you’ll likely enjoy the lake alone.
Lake Pukāki Must Do's
Lake Pūkaki
There simply isn’t a bad Lake Pūkaki vista. However, both Lake Pūkaki Lookout and Peter’s Lookout provide two of the best, stretching as far as Aoraki Mt Cook on a clear day.
Hovercrafting
It’s not every day you get to zip across vibrant blue waters on a hovercraft, but in Lake Pūkaki, these short, one-hour excursions soak up the best of the region’s Southern Alp views.
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon
Sit on the southern banks of Lake Pūkaki, pop into the lakefront shop and café for well-priced fresh salmon. Eat fresh sashimi by the lake, or stock up the chilly bin for later.
Short Walks
On a fine day, the 360-degree views from the one-hour Pūkaki Kettle Bowl Track are unbeatable, or if you’re after something even shorter, the Marker Bay Track is just 20 minutes.
New Zealand Alpine Lavender Farm
Come and sit on a throne set amidst the vines so you can sit and inhale the aroma. Lavender-based ice creams are blue-hued and delicious and there’s even lavender yoga.
