I’ve been lucky enough to have called the Mackenzie Region of New Zealand my home for several months. This is a spectacularly beautiful part of the country, full of stunning lakes and impressive mountain ranges. If you’re wondering how to plan your trip to the Mackenzie, this is the post for you. Here are the top places to visit in Mackenzie Country!

Where is the Mackenzie Region?

The Mackenzie is located in the center of the South Island of New Zealand, approximately a 2.5-hour drive south from Christchurch and a 2.5-hour drive north of Queenstown. Major hubs include Fairlie, Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook, and Twizel. If you’re traveling between Christchurch and Queenstown, you’ll pass through the Mackenzie if you take State Highway 8.

How to Get to the Mackenzie Region

Christchurch and Queenstown airports are the most convenient international airports for visiting the Mackenzie. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Like most places in New Zealand, it’s best to have a vehicle to explore the Mackenzie Region. Note that roads here can be extremely dangerous in winter – black ice is very prevalent, and I nearly died in a car accident here. Drive to conditions, drive cautiously, and drive slowly.

It’s possible to access the region without a vehicle thanks to the daily Intercity buses that run between Christchurch and Queenstown. The route follows SH8, the main highway in the Mackenzie, and it’s relatively easy to get to Fairlie, Lake Tekapo, or Twizel from these main transport hubs. However, you’ll need a vehicle or to hitchhike to get to most of the other highlights here.

What to See in the Mackenzie Region

Burkes Pass

This is a small village located halfway between Fairlie and Lake Tekapo. It’s easily noticeable from the road thanks to its wacky collection at Three Creeks of retro American memorabilia, classic cars, and a 1950s service station. It’s definitely worth a short stop to check out all the unique collectibles.

Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo

Situated on the shores of the magnificent Lake Tekapo, the Church of the Good Shepherd is one of the most photographed places in the country. It was originally built in 1935 as a memorial church to early settlers here, and still holds services for a variety of denominations. Be sure to walk around the lakefront here, and cross the bridge between the church and the town.

Tekapo Springs

Hot pools with epic mountain views? Sign me up! Tekapo Springs is a must-do when visiting Lake Tekapo – after tubing or ice skating, head for a relaxing soak in the hot pools. There are three outdoor hot pools here, the hottest of which is adults-only. I love the sauna and cold plunge pool, which is an extra cost to the hot pools ticket but well worth it. Spa services are available, too. The views from the pools over Lake Tekapo and the surrounding mountains are spectacular, especially at sunset.

Mount John Observatory

For an incredible viewpoint over Lake Tekapo, head up to Mount John Observatory. There’s a small cafe at the top along with 360-degree panoramas of the stunning scenery. While you can drive up, I recommend doing the circular hike up through the forest, which returns along the shore of Lake Tekapo. The walk is about 10km, and will take 2.5 to 3 hours. This is also an incredible spot for stargazing – Dark Sky Project in Lake Tekapo offers tours and experiences.

Cowans Hill Walkway

This short hike offers great views over Tekapo, without as much effort as going up to Mount John Observatory. It’s a fantastic way to escape the crowds – I saw just two other people on this walk! There’s a bench at the top of Cowans Hill, where you can relax with the beautiful panorama in front of you. I did the loop track, which returned along the lakeshore. The walk is just over 6km, and  took me 1.5 hours. You can park at the church, and start the trail on the other side of the highway.

Lake Macgregor and Lake Alexandrina

These are two lakes close to Lake Tekapo. Lake Macgregor is quite small – you can walk around the lake in under an hour. It’s a great place for birdwatchers. Lake Alexandrina is much larger, but still quiet compared to other spots in Tekapo. This lake is popular for fishing, and very peaceful as no motorboats or jetskis are allowed on the water. There’s a campsite at Lake Macgregor and another (larger) one at Lake Alexandrina.

Lake Pukaki

The views across Lake Pukaki are some of the best in New Zealand: a bright blue glacial lake, surrounded by mountains, with the highest peak in the country (Mount Cook) visible at the far end of the lakeshore. In poor weather, you might not be able to see Mount Cook itself, but it’s one place you can’t miss in the Mackenzie Region. There are a number of viewpoints along the road where you can pull over. Pin this spot on GoogleMaps – it’s my favorite viewpoint along the lake.

If the weather is nice and you’re wanting to swim, there’s a rocky beach area by the overnight campervan parking (use this pin on GoogleMaps). There’s a trail that runs along the southern shoreline of the lake – perfect for hiking with superb views!

Pukaki Kettlehole Track

If you’re after a short walk with phenomenal views of Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook, head to the Pukaki Kettlehole Track. This is a short 4km walk which will take about 1 hour. From the designated car park, head across the fields to the ridge overlooking the lake. The kettlehole was formed by a melting glacier, and it’s a unique formation to see – the trail loops around the hole itself.

Hooker Valley Track

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a must-visit destination not just in the Mackenzie Region, but in all of New Zealand. It’s home to the highest mountain in the country: Mount Cook, which is 3,724 meters high. If you’re visiting the Mackenzie, you’ll likely be coming here!

There are a number of epic hikes and spots to visit around Mount Cook. The Hooker Valley Track is one of my favorite walks in the country. It’s 10km and will take 3 to 4 hours to complete, and includes swing bridges, boardwalks, and phenomenal views of Mount Cook from the glacial Hooker Lake. I’ve done this walk twice, in two very different seasons, and loved it both times!

Sealy Tarns

Sealy Tarns is another great hike, if you can cope with the 2,000 stairs up to get there! Add on a detour to Kea Point as you descend down from Sealy Tarns – the walk is approximately 7.5km, and took me about 3.5 hours (including Kea Point). For a real challenge, carry on from Sealy Tarns up to Mueller Hut – this is one of the most beautiful mountain huts in New Zealand. You’ll need to book your overnight stay in advance on the DOC website.

Tasman Glacier

Tasman Glacier is another scenic area in Mount Cook, with insane mountain views. Head up to Tasman Glacier Viewpoint, which is just a 15-minute hike from the car park. I definitely recommend hiking out to the River Viewpoint – continue along the ridge to jetty. There’s a hill near the jetty with impressive views over the glacier. I loved seeing all the icebergs in the river when I went!

Red Tarns

If you’re wanting to escape the crowds in Mount Cook, this is a perfect choice. Starting from the picnic shelter on Bowen Drive, the trail climbs steeply up the hillside – there are a lot of steps, you’ve been warned! But the reward is a picture-perfect view of Mount Cook Village and the peak itself, with two small ponds completing the postcard-worthy view. I saw just a handful of other people on the trail, which was a relief compared to the crowds on the other Mount Cook tracks! Red Tarns is a 4.5km hike, which took me just under 2 hours.

Twizel

Of course, I have a lot of love for Twizel, as it’s where I’ve been living in New Zealand! This is a small town in the Mackenzie Region, well located off SH8. There are two Four Square supermarkets, two gas stations, and a smattering of cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops. There are some nice walks you can do around the town too, such as the Twizel Walkway or the Twizel River Loop. It’s is a great base for seeing more of the area, thanks to its central location!

Ohau Bridge (Old Iron Bridge)

This is an old bridge, just outside the center of Twizel. It was built in 1889, but hasn’t carried major traffic since the state highway was realigned in the 1970s. It’s a popular spot for swimming in summer – I absolutely loved it!

Lake Ruataniwha

Lake Ruataniwha is a man-made lake in the Mackenzie Basin, formed in the late 1970s as part of the hydroelectric project. The lake is a bright blue/turquoise color, and hosts several major rowing events each year. It’s a popular local spot for swimming and watersports – the shallow lagoon is perfect for all ages. This is my favorite swim spot in Twizel!

High Country Salmon

If you’re after a true farm-to-table experience, head to High Country Salmon. This family-owned salmon farm offers super-fresh salmon from the glacial waters of the Mackenzie Region. The cafe is a floating dock, with a view of the farm itself and tasty options for sushi and sashimi. You can usually feed the fish – or book the Catch-A-Fish experience and catch your own salmon! There’s also an on-site shop.

Peace Ring

The Lord of the Rings movies were filmed all around New Zealand – and one of the most famous scenes was filmed right outside Twizel! The epic final battle in Return of the King, Battle of Pelennor Fields, was filmed in the Mackenzie Region; 1700 people were involved in filming over 32 days. Outside of town, a local landowner has installed a sculpture of a ring on their private property, with views out over the landscape where the movies were filmed. Dean is lovely and so hospitable in sharing this part of his land. He now has his own website for the Peace Ring, with up-to-date information for visiting; it’s best to call in advance. Check out the GoogleMaps pin for the location of the Peace Ring.

Lake Ohau

Lake Ohau doesn’t see nearly as many visitors as Lake Pukaki or Lake Tekapo, but it’s a beautiful part of Mackenzie Country to visit. Surrounded by mountains, there are a number of walks near the shoreline. It’s a great place for swimming in the warmer months – Lake Ohau sees barely any of the crowds of the other more popular lakes! In winter, the Ohau Ski Fields are a great choice for skiing in the area.

Ben Ohau & Greta Track

This distinct mountain peak overlooks Lake Ohau and the surrounding area in Twizel. If you’re up for a challenging hike, the Greta Track is a circular loop that climbs high above the lakeshore – you can do a short detour off the track to bag the true summit of the mountain. I recommend doing the loop clockwise, as the ascent is gentler and more exciting. Including hiking to the summit, the trail is 19.4km (and 1086 meters of elevation gain). It took me 6 hours. This was one of my favorite days in New Zealand, and I’m so glad I returned to Twizel so I could do this hike! The views over the landscapes of the Mackenzie Region were simply spectacular.

Clay Cliffs

The Clay Cliffs are a spectacular natural wonder located in Omarama, just at the edge of the Mackenzie Region. Tall pinnacles and ridges are separated by steep, narrow ravines. It’s so fun to explore around here! Note that the cliffs are accessed via a private (unsealed) road, and there is a $5 per person entry fee. It’s well worth a visit to gaze up at this geological phenomena!

Islands Lookout (Benmore Peninsula)

Lake Benmore is the largest artificial lake in New Zealand, created when the Benmore Dam was constructed in the 1960s. The lake is huge, and really popular for swimming, boating, fishing, and watersports. One of the best spots around the lake is Islands Lookout, on the Benmore Peninsula Track. This is a short hike (4km), which will take about 1-1.5 hours. The view from the lookout is stunning!

Planning Your Trip to the Mackenzie Region

The Mackenzie Region is easy to get to on the South Island of New Zealand, about halfway between the major hubs of Christchurch and Queenstown. 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. Check out these options for the best tours and activities around the area!

Where to Stay in the Mackenzie

Where you’ll want to stay on a visit here will depend on your itinerary, how many days you’re spending in this region, and your budget. Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo are popular choices. I’d also recommend Twizel as a budget-friendly base – accommodation is cheaper here than others towns, just because it’s a little less popular. Here are some places to stay in the region!

Lake Tekapo

• Budget: Haka House – clean, budget-friendly rooms with a well-equipped kitchen very close to the Intercity bus stop
• Mid-Range: The Mackenzie Suites – stunning lake views from these suites, studios, and apartments, along with welcoming staff
• Luxury: Grand Suites Lake Tekapo – spacious, luxe studios and apartments with modern furnishings

Mount Cook

• Budget: Haka House – comfortable rooms and excellent facilities, including free access to a sauna
• Mid-Range: Aoraki Court Motel – modern units with everything you need in a fantastic location
• Luxury: Hermitage Hotel – a luxury property, phenomenal views, and an on-site fine dining restaurant to boot

Twizel

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

Where to Camp in the Mackenzie

If you aren’t staying in accommodation on your trip to the Mackenzie Region, there’s a good number of campsite options! Where you can stay depends on whether you want to pay for access to facilities, and whether or not you’re in a self-contained vehicle to freedom camp. Here are some options for campsites around the area!

• Lake Poaka – my top choice for campsites in the area if you aren’t self-contained, a free DOC campground with toilets for non-self-contained vehicles
• White Horse Hill (Mount Cook) – a budget DOC campground in an unbeatable location in Mount Cook, toilets and sinks
• Glentanner Park – premium campground with full access to the facilities (toilets, showers, kitchen, lounge, BBQ) for unpowered and powered sites; incredible views towards Mount Cook
• Twizel Holiday Park – highly rated caravan park with a great location in Twizel (no unpowered sites available)

Freedom camping is allowed at the following campsites if you are in a self-contained vehicle:

• Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking – spectacular views of the lake and mountains
• Lake Wardell Rest Area Overnight Campervan Parking – a convenient stop along the state highway
• Lake Ruataniwha Reserve – a quieter option tucked away at the far end of Lake Ruataniwha
• Lake Ohau Freedom Camping – peaceful spots with great views along Lake Ohau

The Mackenzie Region is a beautiful part of New Zealand, and I feel so lucky that I live here. There’s so much to see here, from the impressive landscapes to awesome hikes and pretty swim spots. I hope this post helps planning a trip to the Mackenzie High Country!

Have you visited the Mackenzie Region? What were your favorite places?

You might also like my posts:

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Lord of the Rings Locations to Visit in New Zealand

The Best Day Hikes Around Queenstown, New Zealand

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