Twizel offers a huge range of sporting, recreation and leisure activities, both indoor and outdoor, in winter and summer. Facilities include tennis, squash, basketball and netball courts, skate park, climbing wall, gym, swimming pool, bowling green, golf course and playing fields, to name but a few. See also our "Activities" page for commercial recreational and leisure activities.
Watersports
Rowing
At nearby Lake Ruataniwha , Twizel has an international rowing course administered by South Island Rowing Inc.
From December till late March, numerous schools, provincial and national events are held here.
Contact:
South Island Rowing
Philip Bell (Secretary)
Mobile : 021 325 061
Email: secretary@sir.org.nz
www.rowingnz.com
www.schoolrowing.org.nz
Boating/Sailing
Board sailors, Trailer sailors, Power boaties and House boaties all enjoy Lakes Ruataniwha and Benmore.
Brighton Power Boat Club race power boats on Lake Ruataniwha over Easter.
Lake Aviemore hosts the 'Meridian Energy Aviemore Yacht Classic' race on Labour weekend Sunday.
Contact:
John Olds
Otipua, 2 RD, Timaru
E-mail: oldsie@xtra.co.nz
Kayaking
Ohau and Ahuriri Rivers provide mid grade paddling with easy vehicle access. Provide your own Kayak and equipment.
Pukaki River release (grade 5) information can be found at http://www.rivers.org.nz/events/
Hiking/Walking
Short Walks
Twizel is surrounded by some wonderful short walks not far from the town centre. The most accessible walk circles around Twizel itself through the green areas and along beside Twizel River. Loch Cameron, Lake Wardell and Wairepo Ponds all provide short walks less than 10 km travel from Twizel. Walks on public conservation land in the immediate vicinity include Marker Bay, Pukaki Kettlehole, Lake Poaka and Pukaki Flats.
For more detailed information please contact Twizel Information Centre.
Hiking / Tramping
Endless opportunities at Aoraki / Mount Cook, Ruataniwha Conservation Park and Ahuriri Conservation Park. Walks range from half hour to multi-day, all within easy access of Twizel.
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Cycling/Mountain Biking
Nationally, mountain biking is a growing sport with people of all ages taking to the tracks that are on offer. Twizel area and the wider Mackenzie Basin offer some fantastic biking opportunities for people of all technical abilities.
Road Biking: Social bike rides. 4.30pm Tuesday evening during summer months only.
Contact: Gordon Hamilton 03 435 0024
There are more than 160 kilometres of paved roads around the local canals. Easy biking through beautiful scenery.
Mountain biking for the whole family!
The rides profiled here are easily accessible from Twizel township. If you would like further information on other rides in the area please contact Twizel Te Manahuna Department of Conservation or Twizel Information Centre.
Darts Bush Stream
This ride starts at the car park area, signposted off Glen Lyon Road. An information kiosk is situated in the car park. The track travels past Ben Ohau Wetlands and through plantation forests. There is a steep climb up to Pyramid Saddle with a gentle descent across the flats out to Darts Bush Stream.
Dusky Trail
This 23 km long ride is a fantastic journey underneath the spectacular Ben Ohau Range. The start for this trail can be gained from either Glen Lyon Road or the Aoraki/Mt Cook highway. The Twizel Te Manahuna Department of Conservation produces a brochure on this trail that can be obtained from local information centres.
Pukaki Flats
The Pukaki Flats conservation area is sign posted 1.5 km north of Twizel. As its name suggests the Pukaki Flats region is very flat and is an open block of hard tussock grasslands but the views from here are well worth the effort. There are a number of alternative short rides to be had in this conservation area of up 1-2 hours duration.
Mountain biker in Pukaki Flats conservation area
Golf
Ben Ohau Golf Club and Driving Range
Corner Mackenzie Drive and Ostler Road, Twizel, New Zealand
Phone: (03) 435 0302 or Driving Range (03) 435 0000 (when not in use)
Fax: 03 435 0307
Web: www.benohau.nzgolf.net
Driving Range hours: 9.00am - 4.00pm $10 for 100 balls. Club and trundler hire available.
9 hole course - open all hours. $12 Green Fees, school students $5.00
Club day on Sunday, 11.45am and Wednesday 10.45am
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Climbing - Rock & Alpine
Twizel is a good base for access to:
Aoraki / Mount Cook - 45 minutes
Aspiring National Parks - 2 hours
Ohau Forest - 1 hour
Ahuriri Valley - 1.5 hours
Between them, these areas contain many of New Zealand's finest peaks and some of the best crag and alpine rock climbing.
Professional, internationally and nationally qualified mountain guides, all NZMGA members, based in Twizel:
Dave McKinley
Mountainsnz
243 Glen Lyon road
Twizel, New Zealand
Phone (03) 435 0275
E-mail: info@mountainsnz.com
Web: www.mountainsnz.com
Shaun Norman
High Country Expeditions
21 Godley Street, Twizel, New Zealand
Phone: (03) 435 0622
E-mail: shaun@highcountrynz.com
Web: www.highcountrynz.com
Frisbee Golf
18 Hole Marked Frisbee Golf Course around the greenbelt. Course begins and ends at the machines on Wairepo Road.
Maps and Frisbees are available from the Twizel Information Centre
Contact:
Martin Galley Phone: (03) 435 0035
Matt Gunn Phone: (03) 435 0838
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Bowls
Outdoor Bowls - contact Eddi Benfell Phone: 03 435 0432
Indoor Bowls - contact Janice Wilson Phone: 03 435 3181
Squash
Two courts. Located at the Twizel Events Centre.
Contact:
Twizel Information Centre, Phone 03 435 3124
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Gym
A small, but well equipped gymnasium and weights room with space for circuit training, aerobics, yoga etc...
Contact Twizel Information Centre for access and costs.
Swimming
Solar insulated, open air, 30 meter swimming pool. Ideal for the whole family, with lots of seating, shaded children's pool and paddling pool.
Season runs November till March.
Season, Family, Adult and Child tickets available.
Contact Twizel Information Centre for more information
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4WD Opportunities
There are a number of places you can take your 4WD vehicle to access public conservation land in the Twizel area. Godley and Macaulay River near Tekapo and the Hopkins River near Twizel provide 4WD opportunities. Please keep to formed tracks and try to arrange your trip after the bird breeding season in December. More detailed information is available from Twizel Information Centre or Twizel Te Manahuna Department of Conservation.
Sport Events
Twizel Labour Weekend 2008
Twizel Pyramid Run
An 18.5KM off-road run, in the magnificent Mackenzie Country. Great course, generous prizes, friendly atmosphere! Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities welcome. Start and finish at Ben Ohau
Saturday 25th October 2008 - Labour Weekend: Twizel
Click here for the Pyramid Run 2007 Results
Come Ride the Dusky Trail
A 44 Km Mountain Bike Race. Experience the grandeur of the Mackenzie Country as you travel through four iconic high country stations and take in the magnificent views of Mount Cook, Lake Pukaki and Lake Benmore. Challenge yourself to enjoy the 6 river crossings and an overall vertical climb of 500m. The ride begins and ends at Ben Ohau Station. It traverses the Department of Conservation's "Dusky Trail" on the eastern flanks of the Ben Ohau range through snow tussock and other alpine vegetation. Suitable for 12 years and up.
Monday 27th October 2008 - Labor Weekend: Twizel
Click here for the Dusky Trail MTB 2007 Results
Meridian Energy Kayak Challenge
Twizel, Marathon & ½ Marathon
The Meridian Energy Kayak Challenge takes place on what is regarded as the premier kayak course in New Zealand .. The Ohau Hydro Canals are a kayaker's dream, long, straight and 15 metres wide with pure aqua blue glacier fed water. This yearly event is situated in the spectacular McKenzie Basin with the majestic Southern Alps as the back drop. This year the race will be held on the Sunday of Labour weekend, the 21 st of October. The Meridian Energy Kayak Challenge is open to kayakers of all abilities. There are two races on the day, the Full Marathon with a total distance of 31kms and the Half Marathon of 15kms.
For more information email info@bloodygoodevents.co.nz
Enter online at www.bloodygoodevents.co.nz
The "4 Lakes" Cycle Race
Tekapo Canals , Twizel
Labour Weekend annually
The "4 Lakes" Road Race is 136km of fast hard out riding on sealed private canal roads and state highway, with the awe inspiring background of aqua blue lakes, canals and the mighty Mt Cook - NZ's highest mountain. This event is for novice to elite road cyclists, catering for all ages, individuals and teams.
For more information email info@bloodygoodevents.co.nz
Enter online at www.bloodygoodevents.co.nz
For maps and further information contact:
- The Twizel Information Centre:
Market Place, Twizel,
New Zealand
Phone: (03) 435 3124
Fax: (03) 435 0537
E-mail:
info@twizel.com
Hours: October (Labour Weekend - April (Easter) 9.00am - 6.00pm 7 days.
May - September 10.00am - 4.00pm Monday to Saturday.
- Department of Conservation:
Wairepo Road, Twizel, New Zealand
Phone: (03) 435 0802
Fax: (03) 435 0852
Web:
www.doc.govt.nz
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Tennis
Three hard courts, recently resurfaced. Available free of charge.
Adjacent to Swimming Pool.
Contact
Twizel Information Centre for more information.
Skateboarding
Skate Park, located adjacent to the Swimming Pool, 2 minutes walk from Market Place.
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