Mackenzie District: Lakes, Trails and Culture

In the Mackenzie District, experiences range from cultural history and trails by the water to guided activities. Lake Tekapo, Twizel and Fairlie each offer different ways to explore the area. If you’re looking for a holiday rental, you can start by considering which of these experiences you’d like to shape your stay.

Cultural history in Lake Tekapo

The Church of the Good Shepherd opened in 1935 and was the first church built in the Mackenzie Basin. It has Category 1 Historic Place status. An unusual window frames a view of the surrounding lake and mountains. The church is private and not open to the public.

Trails and scenery at Lake Tekapo

On the eastern shore of Lake Tekapo, also known as Takapō, Takapō Regional Park covers 165 hectares. The park has 24 kilometres of cycling and walking trails, as well as a dog park. It combines trails for walking and cycling with a dedicated space for dogs.

In the wider region, the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve encompasses Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. These places give a sense of the reserve’s scale, which extends beyond individual locations in the Mackenzie District.

Cycling and walking around Twizel

The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail passes through Twizel and is divided into nine sections. On the alternative route from Takapō, or Lake Tekapo, to Twizel, the trail crosses the Pūkaki Flats before reaching Twizel. The route provides a direct link between these two places and the landscape of the flats.

Twizel also offers a range of walking options: the loop around the town is accessible year-round, while the Twizel River Trail follows the river and has picnic areas and swimming spots. The loop goes around Twizel, while the river, rest areas and swimming spots shape the character of the River Trail.

Water and guided experiences

The shallow waters of Lake Ruataniwha make it a family favourite for swimming and relaxing. The lake is also used for sailing, canoeing and windsurfing. Lake Tekapo and the Tekapo Hydro Canal offer fishing for trout and salmon.

In Fairlie, Alpine Alpacas Fairlie offers guided farm tours with alpacas, llamas, sheep and horses; visitors can feed the animals by hand. Back Country Trout is also based in Fairlie and offers guided sight-fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout. The operator picks guests up from their accommodation.

Canterbury as the wider region

Canterbury stretches from the Pacific coast in the east to the Southern Alps in the west. The Canterbury Plains are also among the region’s scenic highlights, and outdoor adventures can be found on its rivers and in its mountains. This regional perspective extends beyond the Mackenzie District.

One example in Canterbury is Kura Tāwhiti/Castle Hill in the Waimakariri Basin. The site is of particular significance to Ngāi Tahu and Ngāi Tūāhuriri. The Kura Tāwhiti Access Track passes through a culturally and ecologically significant landscape of towering limestone formations. It starts at the Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti car park; no booking is required.

Choosing a base for your holiday rental

When looking for a holiday rental in the Mackenzie District, the experiences you want can help you choose a base: Lake Tekapo combines cultural history with a regional park, Twizel is known for its cycling and walking trails, and Fairlie offers guided farm tours and fishing. This helps you tailor your search to the activities that matter to you during your stay.

Explore more places

Explore more places in the Mackenzie District: Lake Tekapo, Twizel, Mt Cook, Fairlie, Burkes Pass, Kimbell and Albury.

Explore more destinations: Ashburton District.

For the wider travel overview: Canterbury.