Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The DOC visitor centre (
Click here
)
is the best source of local information. The nearest
ATM and supermarket are in Twizel.
Getting There & Away
The village's small airport only serves aerial sightseeing companies. Some of these may
be willing to combine transport to the West Coast (ie Franz Josef) with a scenic flight,
but flights are heavily dependent on weather.
If you're driving, fill up at Lake Tekapo or Twizel. There is petrol at Mt Cook, but it's
expensive and involves summoning an attendant from the Hermitage (for a fee).
Tekapo ($35, 1½ hours) and Twizel ($25, one hour).
(from $67, 5¼ hours), Geraldine (from $38, three hours), Lake Tekapo, (from $30, 1½
hours), Cromwell (from $59, 2¾ hours) and Queenstown (from $64, four hours). They
stop at the YHA and the Hermitage, both of which handle bookings.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Twizel
POP 1140
It wasn't long ago that New Zealanders maligned Twizel. The forest-ringed town just
south of Lake Pukaki was built in 1968 to service construction of the nearby hydroelec-
tric power station, and was due to be abandoned in 1984 when the project was com-
pleted. Now Twizel's residents are having the last laugh as new lakeside subdivisions
have been built to take advantage of the area's relaxed lakes-and-mountains lifestyle. Ac-
commodation, eateries, petrol and groceries are all better value in Twizel than Mt Cook
Village.
Sights & Activities
Nearby Lake Ruataniwha is popular for rowing, boating and windsurfing. Fishing in loc-
al rivers, canals and lakes is also big business; ask at the information centre about local
guides.
Kaki Visitor Hide
WILDLIFE RESERVE
