Top Things to do in Mackenzie District
Top Hotels in Mackenzie District
Top 10 Nature & Parks in Mackenzie District, South Island
Discover the best top things to do in Mackenzie District, New Zealand including Ski The Tasman, Hooker Valley Track, Gem Alpaca Stud, Mueller Hut Route, Lake Alexandrina, Glentanner Park, Lake Tekapo, Mueller Ridge, Mount Dobson Ski Area, Kea Point Track.
Restaurants in Mackenzie District
1. Ski The Tasman
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Ski The Tasman is an air-accessed adventure on to New Zealand’s longest glacier. Every fine winter day (July - September) Alpine Guides take small groups of skiers on this unique mountain journey. Operating only in Mount Cook National Park - there is nowhere else on Earth you can come on a daily ski plane-accessed ski day.If making turns amongst New Zealand's highest peaks isn’t enough, exploring incredible ice caves, seracs, and canyons makes Ski The Tasman truly unforgettable.
Reviewed By NeilLindyAnne - Christchurch, New Zealand
We had a spectacular day Skiing the Tasman Glacier with Alpine Guides on Aug 12th 2020 - The Walker Group ;-) . All 10 of us were blown away by the scale of the place. Our guide Lewis was great, very knowledgable about the mountains and the glacier. The weather could not have been better either. Didn't expect first tracks in very nice powder particularly on the 2nd run. Everyone should add this to their bucket list. You do not have to be an expert to ski this, intermediate skiers will handle it easily.
2. 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.
3. 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!!!
4. Mueller Hut Route
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.
Reviewed By Roadtrip_Fan_UK - Hong Kong, China
It's the scenery that will keep everyone going. The ascent is super steep but the views are truly breathtaking. I continued on to Mount Ollivier and got rewarded with a 360° panorama that was well worth the extra effort.
5. Lake Alexandrina
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By mebates00 - Belfast, United Kingdom
This is a beautiful lake in the Mackenzie district of S Island New Zealand. The autumn colours were spectacular! The lake is a severe location far from the ‘real world’ in terms of stillness solitude and calm. Visit if you can...just a short drive from Lake Tekapo!
6. Glentanner Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Soar over the Southern Alps, take in breathtaking views and walk a trail of High Country history on the Glentanner High Country Heli Hike. This guided tour grants exclusive access to private land on family-owned Glentanner Station, one of New Zealand’s most historic and iconic stations in one of the country’s most magnificent settings. The tour begins with an exhilarating helicopter flight to a high point on Glentanner Station. From the landing spot, the tour continues on foot with a walk down a picturesque farm track. The track descends gradually along alpine tarns and beneath towering peaks. Your guide will ensure plenty of stops for photography and will share stories of the station’s history, geological features, flora and fauna and present-day operations. The walk also includes a break at an historic private hut with a scrummy morning or afternoon tea provided. A reasonable level of mobility is required for the walk but a return flight from the landing site can also be arranged.
7. 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.
8. Mueller Ridge
9. Mount Dobson Ski Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Station de ski Mt Dobson Nouvel Zealand Le plaisir de la glisse avec et des grands espaces. Une station magique à dimension humaine...
10. Kea Point Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 192 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By NatalieA2138 - Rotorua, New Zealand
Spur of the moment decided to walk this track even though it was drizzling. It didn't matter the weather as the track is good and mostly well maintained, apart from a few loose boards on the boardwalk. It is an easy, short walk although as I started my walk from the Hermitage Hotel, it added 3km onto the walk. A must do walk for anyone visiting the Mt Cook area.
