City guide

Twizel, NZ

Twizel is the largest town in the Mackenzie District, in the Canterbury Region of the South Island of New Zealand. The town was founded in 1968 to house construction workers on the Upper Waitaki Hydroelectric Scheme.

Type CityPopulation 1,790

Why go

  • Town in the South Island of New Zealand.
  • Served by Pukaki Airport (TWZ).

History

Twizel is the largest town in the Mackenzie District, in the Canterbury Region of the South Island of New Zealand. The town was founded in 1968 to house construction workers on the Upper Waitaki Hydroelectric Scheme. Today, Twizel is a service and tourist town for visitors to the area. It has a resident population of 1,790 ; during the summer, holidaymakers nearly triple the town's population.

Restaurants & places to go

Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo 16:00-21:00; We-Su 12:00-21:00 · 12c Market Place · fishtail.co.nz
Indoor
Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 11:00-14:30, 16:30-20:30 Features: vegetarian options · 1B Market Place · m.facebook.com
Indoor
Pasta, Breakfast, Fish And Chips, Indian, Curry, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Tu,Fr-Su 10:00-20:30 Features: outdoor seating · 1 Benmore Place · poppiescafe.com
Indoor
Burger, Chicken, Diner, Fish And Chips, Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 14:00-18:00+ · 2 Market Place, Twizel · mowbar.co.nz
Indoor
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo, Tu 07:30-15:30; We-Fr 07:30-23:00; Sa 08:00-23:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 4 Market Place, Twizel, 7901 · mintfolks.co.nz
Indoor
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-20:30 Features: outdoor seating · 28 Tasman Road, Twizel · m.facebook.com
Indoor

5 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Pukaki Airport (TWZ) 2.9 km to the centre
Twitzel, CAN, NZ — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Glentanner Airport (GTN) 39 km to the centre
Glentanner Station, CAN, NZ — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Omarama Glider Airport 27 km to the centre
CAN, NZ
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
October – March

The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.

Shoulder season
April – May, September

Milder and quieter, with better value.

Worth avoiding
June – August

The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Pukaki Airport (TWZ); 1 other airport serves the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Twizel, NZ. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Tours & experiences