Jump in the car and head for the highlands this spring. Mackenzie District is just two hours’ drive away from Christchurch, and it’s a whole ‘nother world of scenery and adventure.
From hiking to flight-seeing, discover an extensive range of outdoor activities in a stunning natural landscape of jewel-blue lakes and soaring mountain peaks. The stuff of postcards, this is home to New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook, and a national park punctuated with ice-white glaciers.
Fairlie will be your first stop and gateway to the district. This unassuming small town is set amid rolling green farmland and is home to some of the best pies in the country at the Fairlie Bakehouse.
Head through Burkes Pass and up to Tekapo (or Takapō), the cultural centre of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. This is a great little town for springboarding adventures. Home to the Church of the Good Shepherd, it’s also one of the country’s most famous and scenic wedding locations.
Aoraki Mount Cook Village has the feeling of a historic Alpine hamlet, with a couple of stunning accommodation options and a plethora of nearby hikes and guided adventures. This will be your base for exploring Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
Twizel and Ōhau are the other main regional towns, each with its share of picturesque mountain scenery and lake-based activities.
DINE & IMBIBE
Alpine Restaurant at Aoraki Mount Cook give you widescreen views of the Southern Alps. Mackenzies Bar & Grill is perfect for a drink and dinner overlooking Lake Tekapo, and Blue Lake Eatery & Bar is another top eating spot in town. For an under-the-radar experience, try Kohan Restaurant with its authentic Japanese menu. Carnegies Restaurant & Bar in Fairlie is a woodfired Kiwi cuisine destination. Mint Folk & Co in Twizel is a great destination for craft beer and cocktails. When it comes to cafés, the best in the district are The Greedy Cow in Tekapo; and Poppies Café and Hydro Café in Twizel. Maybe the best café view in Aotearoa can be found at Astro Café smack bang on top of Mount John.
REST YOUR HEAD
The Hermitage and Aoraki Alpine Lodge are both excellent hotels located in the middle of Aoraki Mount Cook Village, right next to all the guided adventure activities you could ask for. Peppers Bluewater Resort is the traditional luxury accommodation in Tekapo, and Galaxy Boutique Hotel is a favourite if you can manage to secure a room. There are more options opening every year in this popular town, and keep an eye out for the upcoming lakefront five-star hotel, currently in development. Luxury lodges Lakestone Lodge and Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat are both on the shores of the massive Lake Pukaki, while the exclusive Matuka Lodge is just outside of Twizel.
TAKE IN THE SIGHTS
It’s hard to go past Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, home to the country’s highest mountains and the longest glaciers. Take a scenic flight or a guided expedition. Been there done that on the Hooker Valley Track? Climb the Stairway to Heaven up to the reflective tarns or do an overnighter up to Mueller Hut and Mount Olliver. Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo are both beautiful spots with literally hundreds of photogenic vantage points. Head up to the observatory at Mount John for panoramic views – you can take the short and sharp walking track straight up the hill behind the hot pools, or the scenic route that meanders around the lakeside and farmland. A little further from the main highway, the summit of Ben Ōhau is a decent day walk on the Greta Track with incredible views of the Southern Alps.
GET INVOLVED
There is absolutely no limit to the hiking tracks and backcountry on-foot adventures available – ask at your accommodation or drop in at an i-SITE for pointers. And Mackenzie District may be most famous for its night skies – make the most of the International Dark Sky Reserve with a guided tour in Tekapo, or a night soak at Tekapo Springs hot pools. Pro tip: take the gravel road around the eastern side of the lake for wicked night sky photography opportunities away from the crowds.