Te Manahuna (The Mackenzie Basin) is situated in the centre of New Zealand’s majestic South Island. The region is renowned for its incredibly clear starry nights, brilliant sunny days, remarkable turquoise blue lakes, valleys of emerald green and snow-capped mountains.

Shaped by extreme forces of nature, massive glaciers have scoured the land leaving a trail of lakes and rivers across the landscape. Today you will see awesome mountain ranges – the snow-capped Southern Alps stretching across the western horizon. Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain at 3,724 metres above sea level, towers over the expansive countryside.


Central to all the attractions of the Mackenzie region, with the Southern Alps as a backdrop, the alpine retreat of Twizel is close to 5 picturesque lakes, including a world-standard rowing course and Formula One class boating area at Lake Ruataniwha.

Twizel is the largest town in the Mackenzie region with a resident population of 1,200 people. With this comes a number of highly rated village cafes and eateries and a full range of services to support your visit.

If fishing is your love and catching salmon, brown or 17kg (37.4lb) rainbow trout is what you dream of then don’t go past any of Twizel’s rivers, lakes or canals.

Twizel is a popular base for those who are interested in rock and mountain climbing, cycling on the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, hunting, boating, or simply relaxing in the town’s cafes.

The town has a rich cultural community and is a favoured destination venue for the Royal New Zealand Ballet. With the community’s and Council’s investment in the new Twizel Events Centre, group, sports and team building activities are superbly catered for with a 200 seat theatre, sports hall, an amazing climbing wall, gym, squash facilities and functions lounge.


With all this and more, on our doorstep, Twizel Area School is the perfect choice for your 'Kiwi Experience'. Away from the cities and busy lifestyle of the major New Zealand centres, Twizel and Te Manahuna really are the South Island's 'jewel in the crown'!


Further Information about Te Manahuna