Mackenzie Country

To see some of the most idyllic lakes and dramatic alpine wilderness our planet has to offer, all you have to do is travel to the heart of New Zealand’s South Island.

The unspoilt Mackenzie Region, with its turquoise lakes, mighty snowy peaks and icy glaciers, is super photogenic. You won’t even need a filter: the highly contrasting colours make any picture look awesome. Mount Cook will take your breath away and Lake Tekapo has NZ’s most photographed stone church. The star gazing doesn’t get any better than here, especially at Lake Pukaki where you can combine it with wine tasting.

Where to stay in Mackenzie Country

Peppers Bluewater Resort

State Highway 8

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Lake Tekapo, this luxury aparthotel is within a 15-minute walk of Lake Tekapo, Church of the Good Shepherd, and Sheepdog Statue. Tekapo Springs and Mount John Lookout are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Aoraki Court Motel

26 Bowen Drive

Rated 4.7 / 5 by Guests

Situated near the airport, this motel is steps from Mount Cook National Park and Te Wahipounamu. Aoraki / Mount Cook Visitor Center and Red Tarns are also within 1 mi (2 km).

The Godley Hotel

State Highway 8

Rated 3.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated on a lake, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Lake Tekapo and Church of the Good Shepherd. Tekapo Springs and Mount John Observatory are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Bella Vista Motel Fox Glacier

55 Main Road SH6

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Situated in a national park, this eco-friendly motel is 14.3 mi (23.1 km) from St James Anglican Church and 14.7 mi (23.7 km) from Westcoast Wildlife Centre.

Mantra Lake Tekapo

1 Beauchamp Place

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Situated on a lake, this eco-friendly apartment building is within a 10-minute walk of Lake Tekapo, Cowans Hill Walkway, and Sheepdog Statue. Church of the Good Shepherd and Dark Sky Project are also within 15 minutes.

Mackenzie Country Hotel Twizel

Cnr Ostler & Wairepo RoadsPO Box 99, PO Box 99

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Conveniently near skiing facilities, this Twizel hotel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Twizel Town Centre and Lake Ruataniwha and close to winter sports such as cross-country skiing and skiing lessons. Lake Pukaki and Lake Benmore are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Mountain Chalets Motel

Wairepo Road

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Situated in a national park, this chalet is 0.5 mi (0.7 km) from Twizel Town Centre and within 9 mi (15 km) of Lake Ruataniwha and Lake Pukaki Information Center. Lake Pukaki and Lake Benmore are also within 9 mi (15 km).

YHA Aoraki Mt Cook - Backpacker

4 Bowen DriveAoraki Mt. Cook Village, Aoraki Mt. Cook Village

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated in a national park, this eco-friendly hostel is steps from Mount Cook National Park and Te Wahipounamu. Aoraki / Mount Cook Visitor Center and Red Tarns are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Countrytime Hotel

15 Airport Rd

Rated 3.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Omarama, this eco-friendly hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Hot Tubs Omarama and Totara Peak Gallery. Lake Benmore and Clay Cliffs Scenic Reserve are also within 12 mi (20 km).

Glentanner Park Centre

State Highway 80

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated in the mountains, this luxury campground is 0.4 mi (0.7 km) from Lake Pukaki and within 32 mi (52 km) of Aoraki / Mount Cook Visitor Center and Lake Ruataniwha.

Heritage Gateway Hotel

State Highway 8

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Omarama, this eco-friendly hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Totara Peak Gallery and Hot Tubs Omarama. Lake Benmore and Clay Cliffs Scenic Reserve are also within 12 mi (20 km).

Heartland Lodge

19 Northwest Arch

Rated 4.7 / 5 by Guests

Location

Kelceys Bush Farmyard Holiday Park

677 Mill Road

Rated 3.6 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Waimate, this campground is within 6 mi (10 km) of Seddon Square, Waimate Historical Museum, and St Patrick's Catholic Church. Tuhawaiki Point Lighthouse and Jacks Point Surfspot are also within 32 mi (52 km).

Lake Tekapo Cottages

12 Sealy St

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Lake Tekapo, this golf guesthouse is within a 10-minute walk of Church of the Good Shepherd and Lake Tekapo. Tekapo Springs is 1.6 mi (2.6 km) away.

Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Lodge

101 Bowen Drive

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Situated in a national park, this guesthouse is within 1 mi (2 km) of Aoraki / Mount Cook Visitor Center and Kea Point Walk. Red Tarns and Lake Pukaki are also within 16 mi (25 km).

Fox Glacier Lodge

41 Sullivan Road

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Fox Glacier, this guesthouse is steps from Te Wahipounamu and Fox Glacier Glow Worm Forest. Lake Gault is 3.3 mi (5.3 km) away.

Aorangi Motel

26 Denmark St

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Fairlie, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Fairlie Heritage Museum, Fairlie Golf Course, and McLean Park. Church of the Good Shepherd and Tekapo Springs are also within 32 mi (52 km).

Lake Tekapo Village Motel

Village CentreState Highway 8, State Highway 8

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Situated in the mountains, this motel is within a 10-minute walk of Dark Sky Project, Cowans Hill Walkway, and Lake Tekapo. Church of the Good Shepherd and Sheepdog Statue are also within 15 minutes.

Matuka Luxury Lodge

395 Glen Lyon Rd

Rated 5.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated on the waterfront, this luxury lodge is 2.6 mi (4.1 km) from Twizel Town Centre and within 9 mi (15 km) of Lake Pukaki and Lake Ruataniwha. Lake Pukaki Information Center and Lake Benmore are also within 12 mi (20 km).

Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat

86 Mt Cook Road

Rated 5.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated on a lake, this luxury lodge is 0.4 mi (0.6 km) from Lake Pukaki and 9.1 mi (14.6 km) from Lake Ruataniwha. Mount John Observatory is 31.1 mi (50.1 km) away.