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)
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.
back to top
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
back to top
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
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
back to top
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
back to top
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
back to top
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 Hard Labour Weekend Events 2009
Twizel Pyramid Run: Saturday 24 October 2009
An 19.2km 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
Click here for the Pyramid Run 2009 Map
Click here for the Pyramid Run 2008 Results
Click here for the Pyramid Run 2007 Results
Canal Caper Road Cycle Race: Sunday 25 October 2009
The newest event on the Twizel Hard Labour Weekend Calendar
A 60 km, two lap road cycle alongside Twizel's iconic canal system taking in the splendor of the Mackenzie High Country and Lake Ohau. Entry is open to individuals and 2 person teams.
Go on, do all three events and make it a real Hard Labour Weekend!
Click her for the Canal Caper 2009 Map
Contact for Canal Caper Road Cycle Race:
Steve Skinner
03 435 0285
infocaper@twizelhardlabour.org.nz
www.twizelhardlabour.org.nz
Dusky Trail Mountain Bike Race: Monday 26 October 2009
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.
Click here for the Dusky Trail MTB Race 2009 Map
Click here for the Dusky Trail MTB 2008 Results
Click here for the Dusky Trail MTB Race 2007 Results
____________________________________________________
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
back to top
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.
back to top
