Top Things to do in Mackenzie District
Top Hotels in Mackenzie District
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What to do and see in Mackenzie District, South Island: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups
Discover the best top things to do in Mackenzie District, New Zealand including Cycle Journeys, Tekapo Jet, Hooker Valley Track, Mackenzie Alpine Horse Trekking, Aoraki/Mt. Cook, Gem Alpaca Stud, The Jollie Biker, Lakeland Explorer, Mackenzie Gateway Tours, Lake Tekapo.
Restaurants in Mackenzie District
1. Cycle Journeys
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 70 reviews
Cycle Journeys provides self-guided cycle tour packages and services on the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. Services include bike hire, shuttles, luggage transfers and packaged trips. Cycle Journeys provides a full range of trail services, to ensure you have a great trail experience.
2. Tekapo Jet
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
Without question, Tekapo Jet is the most spectacular way to view the captivating beauty of Lake Tekapo. Your magical journey with us starts from Pines Beach on the southern shores of the lake. From there, you will head up the lake and around Motuariki Island. You will be treated to gorgeous views of ancient glacial valleys and remote high country sheep stations in the distance.
3. Hooker Valley Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,041 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Falsendrach - Auckland Central, New Zealand
We did the Hooker Valley trail in May, just after NZ dropped to Covid Alert Level 2. It was a great time to do it with the lack of tourists around. Because of the popularity the Hooker Trail is usually very busy, sometimes with so many people on the trail you feel like you're walking in a queue. Parking can be an issue if you're arriving later in the day and you sometimes have to park on the access road and walk 15-20mins to the trail start. With the current Covid international travel restrictions though there's few tourists and it's not hard to get a space in the carpark. Wonderfully though this time it felt virtually empty. Sure, we ran into other people but only about 60-70 rather than the 1000+ you'd expect. The trail is about 90mins each way, culminating at Hooker Lake. Do allow extra time as we happily spent an hour playing at the frozen-over lake skipping stones & throwing sheets of ice around. As far as reward vs effort goes, the Hooker Valley trail is one of the best short tracks you can do as it's wide, mostly flat, taking you over three suspension bridges that offer gorgeous views of turbulent pale azure water rushing underneath, majestic hills sweeping up on either side and Mt Cook/Aoraki as a stunning backdrop. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes as the trail is mostly rock, & switch out to boots in colder/wetter weather. Layers are essential & you'll find that coming back in the afternoon it's quite a bit cooler once the sun has dipped behind the peaks. And on that note, bring a torch or headlamp if you're setting off within 4 hours of sunset. There are some toilets about two thirds the way along the track but they aren't great. You should definitely pack some hand sanitiser & a roll of toilet paper in case they run out (they frequently do). At the height of the tourist seasons there's usually a queue.
4. Mackenzie Alpine Horse Trekking
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 148 reviews
Enjoy a fabulous horse trek in the Mackenzie with views of the Southern Alps, lakes and high country sheep stations. Suitable for beginners, choose from our beautiful 1,2 or 3.5 hr treks
Reviewed By Jareda_0496
Had an awesome time riding with my partner with an awesome guide we did the 1 hour trek and was a great track to ride from awesome views up high along the hills right down to a splash in the lake 100% recommend will definitely be back
5. Aoraki/Mt. Cook
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 532 reviews
Reviewed By BradJill - Hong Kong, China
Mount Cook also referred locally by its Maori name of Aoraki is the highest mountain in New Zealand and the darling of the Southern Alps range on South Island. It dominates the peaks of the Mount Cook National Park and can be viewed well from both sides of the mountain range. We recently spent some time around Mount Cook National Park enjoying views of Aoraki from numerous hiking areas and trails. Most enjoyable was probably at Lake Hooker, a beautiful reflection lake made up of melt water from Hooker Glacier located a short distance from the Mount Cook Village. A similar impressive view of Mount Cook can be found at Lake Matheson, another famous reflection lake near the Fox Glacier Village on the west side of the range. There is a very good Visitor Centre in the Mount Cook Village with quality displays and historic accounts of mountaineering and general exploration of Mount Cook and fellow peaks in the area. You can also learn quite a bit about hiking and other activities related to visits to Mount Cook on the DOC National Park website. This is well worth spending some time researching before making trips to the area.
6. Gem Alpaca Stud
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 144 reviews
Gem Alpaca Stud is situated on the main highway from Christchurch to Queenstown - perfectly placed for your stop over. Come on in and feed, touch and meet our Alpaca, Llama & sheep. Get your up close photos with our beautiful animals. Large covered veranda and outdoor seating with our farm shop open 7 days featuring a huge range of alpaca products. We also now have refreshments, ice creams, coffee and cold drinks. Farm Visits daily 11am, 1pm and 3pm $25.00 per adult, $15 per child, children 5 and under are FREE. PLEASE NOTE: No public toilets on site. please use facilities in the township just 1 minutes drive away.
Reviewed By taniat358
This farm + tour was amaze-balls!! We highly highly recommend this place. Lovely staff, lovely shop selling souvenirs and alpaca related goodies. The tour was amazing, the guide was very informative walking us through the different Alpaca sections, giving us food we can feed them. She knew the name of every Alpaca, and they were all so friendly and super cute. You got up right close to them all. Loved our experience. You even get wellies to wear so your own shoes stay clean. Towards the end of the tour, the guide also gave us top tips of what to see and do during our South Island road trip! We did this tour in Jan 2020, we got there for the last tour (think about 4pm), and we were lucky enough to be the only ones in the group, so felt like we had a private tour. Loved it. THX U, we had a great time!!!
7. The Jollie Biker
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 38 reviews
An exceptionally fun and friendly Cycle Tour Company operating on the scenic Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail. Providing personal care where you are never just a number. Specialists in group and tailor made tours for 4 or more; from 1 and 2-days to our 4 day Alpine Lakes tour and the full 8-day Alps2Ocean tour. Bike hire and tour itineraries. From Mt Cook, Lake Tekapo, Twizel, Omarama and Oamaru, we'll look after your cycling needs. We do all the work so you have all the fun. Look forward to meeting you soon.
Reviewed By kyd469 - Hamilton, New Zealand
Fantastic ride with awesome organization and daily support from the Jollie Biker (esp Shell and Jude) Good bikes, good accommodation and food Stunning views Can’t fault them.
8. Lakeland Explorer
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Come and enjoy our amazing outdoors of The Mackenzie Region. Cycling, Scenic Tours, Stargazing. BIKE HIRE with maps for exploring. Available at TWIZEL Information Centre and Mackenzie Country Hotel Twizel. CYCLE TRIPS with spectacular scenery on The Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail. A2O DAY-TRIPPER LAKE PUKAKI A2O DAY-TRIPPER LAKE OHAU Includes equipment, transport to best locations and our back up support. A2O WEEKENDER, A2O LONG WEEKENDER A2O WEEK AWAY Multi-day trips Includes accommodation, meals, equipment, transport, luggage transfer, our back up support. SCENIC TOURS - 2 hrs, 1/2 day, full day Customised to suit you. Attractions and activities TWIZEL, Mackenzie and Aoraki-Mt Cook. STARGAZING - Night Sky Tour Twizel A unique and amazing experience near Twizel. One of the few best places in the world to view the stars.
9. Mackenzie Gateway Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
just let us know where you are wanting to go and what you want to see and we will work with you to make that perfect trip for you . Other options for you are as listed Ski shuttle service up to ski fields, rate per person. Transfers - from town to town , airports to towns etc , price per person Charters - a fix rate per day or half day ( ideal for work do's or etc
Reviewed By Wiolkan25
Amazing tour with Luke! He really knows what he is doing and know all amazing spots in New Zealand Highly recommend!
10. Lake Tekapo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,629 reviews
Reviewed By Travelove58
Lake Tekapo is very similar to the many other lakes we have seen in South Island- they are all amazingly beautiful, so tranquil & so stunning. The lakes here are usually a part of the just as awesome mountains. An added attraction here is an old antiquated nice church. The feeling is just great, strolling along the beach & admiring the awesome views in front. In the morning, the sun rising from the back of the mountains shines against towards the sea & creates a stunning blanket of white rays.
