I’ve spent most of my time in New Zealand living in Twizel, a small town in the Mackenzie region on the South Island. It’s a beautiful area, with so many good walks and hikes to do! As I haven’t had a car, I’ve done essentially every walk in Twizel that can be done without a vehicle – plus a few that are just a short drive away. Here are the best hikes in Twizel, New Zealand!

Twizel Walkway

This is a lovely, easy walk around the outskirts of Twizel. You can start the walk from a number of places – I typically start from near the highway and Ruataniwha Road. Follow the trail past Glen Lyons Road and into the fields, and walk along the river. Exit at North West Arch, and follow the path through the woodland. Continue on Ohau Road or Ostler Road, or cut through the golf course, to get back to the town center. There are signposts for this loop throughout the route.

Distance: 8km

Time: 1.5 to 2 hours

Twizel River Loop

For a long hike with no people, head for the Twizel River Loop! Starting at a designated car park along the State Highway 8 main road, this route follows the Twizel River through fields and farmland to the confluence with the Ohau River. The return is via the Ohau River Road, which admittedly isn’t that exciting. Stop at the Ohau River Bridge (an old iron bridge) before returning to the start point via the paths along the highway.

Distance: 26km

Time: 5.5 to 7 hours

Pukaki Flats

Wander through the landscapes just outside of Twizel on this walk through Pukaki Flats. There are beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, including Mount Cook in the distance! The start point has a small picnic area and car parking area, just outside of Twizel off SH8. While the walk itself isn’t that exciting, you can see for miles on this flat hike.

Distance: 14km (total)

Time: 3 hours (total)

For a longer hike, you can extend this and go all the way to the shores of Lake Pukaki. It’s easy to follow, as you can take the Alps to Ocean (A2O) bike trail through the forest and quarry to the Mount Cook Alpine Salmon Shop, on the shores of Lake Pukaki. This extended hike will be about 20km and take approximately 4.5 to 5 hours.

Lake Ruataniwha

Lake Ruataniwha is a man-made lake just a few minutes’ drive from Twizel. You can walk there directly from town, following Ostler Road – it’ll take just under half an hour. There’s a great loop you can walk along the lakeshore, passing the lagoon and picnic areas, before reaching the canal. The reflections in the water were just stunning here! Return via the boat ramp, either on Temple Drive or taking the footpath along SH8 highway.

Distance: 12km

Time: 2 to 2.5 hours

Pukaki Kettle Hole Track

This walk starts just a short drive down the road from Twizel, at the Pukaki Kettle Hole car park. The route passes through some fields (which will likely have livestock) before coming to the ridge overlooking the lake. The kettle hole was formed melting glacier ice – a large block of ice separated from the glacier and then melted, leaving the hole in the ground. The views over Lake Pukaki (and towards Mount Cook) on a good day are simply phenomenal. You can follow the trail around the kettle hole in a loop, then retrace your steps through the fields to get back to the car park. This is one of the best short walks around Twizel, and my top pick for a short walk around Lake Pukaki.

Distance: 4km

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Ben Ohau/Greta Track

This is the only walk in this post that I haven’t done myself! The starting point is about 20 minutes outside of Twizel – a car is definitely required to get here. The Greta Track is done as a loop; you can choose whether to start with the steep incline, or a more gradual, longer climb. Check the weather forecast beforehand, and come prepared with all the gear you need as this is a true mountain hike!

Distance: 17km

Time: 5.5 to 7 hours

Mount Cook: Hooker Valley Track

My favorite hike in Mount Cook is, without a doubt, the Hooker Valley Track. Follow the trail through the valley, past Mueller Lake and across swing bridges, to reach the glacial Hooker Lake with superb views of Mount Cook. It’s one of the most popular day hikes in New Zealand, so you’ll likely see other people on the trail regardless of when you go. While it’s almost an hour away from Twizel, it’s one hike in the Mackenzie Region that you simply cannot miss.

Distance: 11km

Time: 3 to 4 hours

Lake Tekapo: Mt John Observatory Loop

This fantastic trail, starting just behind Tekapo Springs, climbs up through the forest to Mt John Observatory. While you can drive up to the observatory, hiking up will mean you really earned those incredible views! The trail then descends gently down towards Lake Tekapo, with beautiful mountain and lake vistas all around. After reaching the lakeshore, follow the path back to Tekapo Springs.

Distance: 10km

Time: 2.5 to 3 hours

Planning Your Trip to Twizel

Twizel is a small town on the South Island, about halfway between Christchurch and Queenstown. While there is a (very small) local airport for charter flights, the most convenient major airport is Christchurch airport. Queenstown airport is another option. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. There are regular InterCity bus services to Twizel, as it’s on the main Christchurch/Queenstown route. While many of these walks are accessible on foot from Twizel town center, to go any further afield you’ll need your own vehicle. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Where to Stay in Twizel

There are a number of accommodation options in Twizel itself, as well as free and paid campsites. There is a great DOC free camp, suitable for non-self-contained vehicles, at Lake Poaka – just 10 minutes outside of Twizel. Note that there is no freedom camping allowed within the town center itself – you can find the sign and map denoting the area near the main Four Square supermarket. Twizel Holiday Park is a highly rated caravan park, with plenty of amenities as well as clean studios and cabins available. For accommodation in Twizel, here are a few recommendations:

• Budget: High Country Lodge and Backpackers – dorm rooms, privates, studios, and suites available along with a well-equipped communal kitchen
• Mid-range: Mountain Chalet Motels – cozy chalets with friendly staff in a convenient location
• Luxury: Matuka Lodge – beautiful rooms at a five-star property, with stunning mountain views and a private pond

Twizel is a great location for exploring the Mackenzie Region – there are so many incredible places that are easy to visit from here! If you’re wanting to explore more of the local area around Twizel itself, there are a number of good walks to keep you busy. I’ve truly loved my time here, and have loved my adventures around the town. I hope this post helps planning your visit to Twizel!

Have you visited Twizel or done any of these walks?

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