Geraldine
Aoraki Mt Cook & Lake Pūkaki © Adobe Stock
Lake PŪKAKI
South Canterbury
Lake Pūkaki There simply isn’t a bad Lake Pūkaki vista. However, both Lake
Fairlie
Pūkaki Lookout and Peter’s Lookout provide two of the best, stretching as far as Aoraki Mt Cook on a clear day.
Aoraki
Hovercrafting It’s not every day you get to zip across vibrant blue waters on
Mt Cook
a hovercraft, but in Lake Pūkaki, these short, one-hour excursions soak up the best of the region’s Southern Alp views.
Lake TEkapō
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.
Twizel
Short Walks On a fine day, the 360-degree views from the one-hour Pūkaki
Timaru
Lake PŪKAKI
Geraldine
Kettle Bowl Track are unbeatable, or if you’re after something even shorter, the Marker Bay Track is just 20 minutes.
Lake ōhau
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.
Aoraki Fairlie
Mt Cook
Lake It's a compelling two-and-aLake TEkapōwize l Scenic Flights Ski plane or helicopter is a fantastic way to cover this great beautiful expanse in very little time. Check the Glentanner Park Centre and Mt Cook Airport for scenic flight options.
T
Lake PŪKAKI
Glacier Tours Across Tasman half-hour journey across Tasman Lake, cruising slowly by small boat to the melting ice face and within touching distance of stoic icebergs.
Hooker Valley Track One of au Lake ōhThe the park’s most popular walks, with
Ski the Tasman Glacier Yes, you
can ski New Zealand's largest glacier on two of the country's longest ski runs (green to blue grade). Led by expert alpine guides, you'll fly in by aircraft and explore fascinating ice caves, too.
Aoraki
swing bridges and Aoraki Mt Cook views, the Hooker Glacier terminal lake is your prize for a three-hour, mostly flat hike. From late spring to early summer, keep an eye out for
imate W oa k Mt Co
Twizel Lake ōhau
Waimate
ABOVE: Lake Ruataniwha, Twizel © Jack Austin
See Map Section - pages 109 to 122
Waimate
AORAKI MT COOK NATIONAL PARK With 140 mountain peaks poking more than 2000m into the sky and glaciers covering 40 percent of the park, this is an unforgettable place to visit. Aoraki Mt Cook Village is perfectly positioned to take advantage of it all.
the Aoraki Mt Cook buttercup – the world’s largest.
Tasman Glacier Vie Track Gain uninterrupted views across icy blue Tasman Glacier Lake. Likely frozen in winter and littered with icebergs come summer. One-hour return. Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre Understand the man behind the legend. Learn about the area's history, Hillary’s life-long achievements and stories from Mountain Rescue.
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.
Water Rides Operating from the
Twizel River Trail This takes four hours to walk or two to bike and passes some uncrowded swimming holes.
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.
Cycling Parts of the Alps 2 Ocean
High Country Salmon Farm See how salmon is farmed, feed the fish and catch your own.
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.
Lake Ruataniwha Holiday Park from September to May, rent anything from transparent kayaks and standup paddleboards to swan-shaped pedal boats and water bikes!
Ski Fields Twizel is well positioned
Ruataniwha Conservation Park This playground for outdoor enthusiasts has walks and bike tracks, fishing, climbing, 4WD and hunting opportunities alongside DOC campsites and huts.
Old Mountaineers Café The views from the vaulted floor-toceiling windows will leave you speechless. The food and drinks are also excellent but somewhat outdone by the backdrop. Glacier Kayaking Uncover ‘big berg country’ on a four to six-hour kayaking excursion. Get face-to-face with glistening icebergs and view the glacier terminal face from a safe distance. Bucket-list worthy.
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. Twizel Salmon & Wine Festival With a new venue at Lake Ruataniwha, enjoy boutique wines, craft beer and salmon. 2022 will mark the 17th festival, held on the last Saturday of February.
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