Mackenzie Country

Need to know ...

The Mackenzie Country is a spectacularly beautiful region of blue glacial lakes and tussock-clad hills. Iconic Aoraki Mount Cook, the tallest mountain in Australasia, watches over the area and you can get up-close with a visit to Mount Cook Village. In winter, the Mackenzie is the centre of a skiing and snowboarding region that features several ski areas within easy reach.

Main Centres

Fairlie – northern gateway to the Mackenzie, amidst rolling green farmland.
Lake Tekapo – pretty lakeside village in the heart of Mackenzie, well known for its Church of the Good Shepherd.
Mount Cook Village – alpine village, base for expeditions to Aoraki Mount Cook.
Twizel – southern Mackenzie country town, within easy reach of lakes and rivers.

Getting There

By Air – Christchurch Airport services the region with domestic and international flights.
By Road – 2 hours, 30 minutes from Christchurch to Fairlie, 5 hours from Christchurch to Mt Cook. Coaches provide regular services.

Getting Around

Rent a car for maximum flexibility, but beware of icy roads in winter. Coach and shuttle services make getting between towns easy.

Eating Out

Exclusive

Panorama Restaurant (Hermitage Hotel, Mt Cook Village, t +64 3 435 1809) – award-winning cuisine and stunning views.

Casual

The Old Mountaineers Café and Bar (Larch Gr, Mt Cook Village, t +64 3 435 1890) – great meals, an open fire and fantastic views.
Kohan Restaurant (SH8, Lake Tekapo, t +64 3 680 6688) – Japanese cuisine and great views.
Mackenzie Country Inn (Ostler Rd, Twizel, t +64 3 435 0869) – southern hospitality. Godley Resort (SH8, Lake Tekapo, t +64 3 680 6848).
Eat Deli & Bar (76 Main St, Fairlie, t +64 3 685 6275) – excellent selection of healthy deli-style food.
Poppies Café (Benmore Pl, Twizel, t +64 3 435 0848) – popular café with good food and outside dining.
Shawty’s Café, Restaurant & Bar (Market Pl, Twizel, t +64 3 435 3155) – delicious cuisine (including gourmet pizzas) and great atmosphere.

Where to Drink

Stylish Bar

Snowline Bar (Hermitage Hotel, Mt Cook Village, t +64 3 435 1809).
Hunters Café & Bar (2 Market Pl, Twizel, t +64 3 435 0303) – café and bar with a great selection of meals and wines.

Sights

The Church of the Good Shepherd, a quaint stone church standing alone at the edge of Lake Tekapo, is picture-perfect whether you’re looking across the lake as you approach on SH8 from Fairlie or gazing at Mt Cook through the perfect frame of the altar window.
New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook, stands 3754 metres tall. The mountain’s Maori name – Aoraki – means ‘Cloud Piercer’.

The lakes of the Mackenzie Country are renowned for their astonishing turquoise-blue colour. Glaciers in the headwaters grind rock into fine dust that’s washed downriver. Suspended in the water these particles create the colour.

Action

Climbing in Mt Cook National Park is a challenge even for the experienced – we recommend that you take a guided tour.
Heli-skiing or boarding on the Tasman Glacier is an utterly unforgettable adventure.

Relax

Indulge in a glass of wine or a beer while you dwell on the awesome views of Mt Cook from the historic Hermitage.
Visit a salmon farm and taste the freshest salmon you’ve ever experienced.

THE experience

Take a guided walk in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, a breath-taking place of ice and rock – glaciers cover 40% of the area and there are 19 peaks over 3,000m high.