Twizel (/ˈtwaɪzəl/) 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 1,670 (June 2022); during the summer, holidaymakers nearly triple the town's population.

Nearby Lake Ruataniwha supports rowing, sailing and water skiing. Twizel is 37 km (29 minutes drive) east of Lake Ōhau village, 30 km (20 minutes drive) north of Omarama and 60 km (42 minutes drive) south of Lake Tekapo.


Twizel is now a service town for the agricultural sector and tourist town for visitors.


Fishing

There are many options around Twizel for fishing. These include many mountain streams, Lakes Ruataniwha, Ohau, and the hydroelectric canals from Lake Tekapo to Lake Pukaki and those from Lake Ohau on to Lake Benmore. Within the canals, salmon farms provide plenty of food for wild salmon and trout. Many large fish have been caught with trout weighing in excess of 4.5 kilograms common. A trout caught in the Ohau canal in October 2020 weighing 20.1 kg was a world record catch. Twizel also hosts an annual Twizel Salmon & Wine Festival each February.


Rowing

Lake Ruataniwha is used for sailing and water skiing. Several rowing events are held on the lake, including the Maadi Cup and the New Zealand Rowing Championships. The Twizel Rowing Club is based at Lake Ruataniwha, with club members competing in all age groups.


Skiing

The nearby Ohau Skifield and the Round Hill Ski Area attract winter tourists. The Twizel Snow Club supports local children to build on skills and knowledge and train for skiing and snowboarding competitions.


Walking and tramping

The Twizel River Trail is a 24 kilometre walk around the outskirts of Twizel. Other close by walking tracks include the 15 minute long Ben Ohau Wetland track and the four hour long Darts Bush Stream track. It is also possible to climb Ben Ohau. The start of the track in 23 kilometres outside of Twizel via the Glen Lyon road.


Biking

Twizel is also on the route of the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail.

Stage 2 of the Alps 2 Ocean runs from Lake Tekapo to Twizel. This 54 kilometre section takes riders past the Tekapo A power station and along the Tekapo Canal before skirting around the Lake Pukaki shoreline and across the Pukaki Flats to Twizel.

Stage 3 of the Alps 2 Ocean runs from Twizel to Lake Ōhau Lodge. This 38 kilometre section takes riders along the canal roads to the edge of Lake Ōhau. It then turns into an off-road trail which runs along the lake up to Lake Ōhau Lodge. This section is of an easy skill level, with little traffic. Points along the stage include the Pukaki and Ohau canals, views of Ben Ohau, Maori Swamp, the Ohau Weir and salmon fishing spots in the canals.

Other mountain biking trails around Twizel include the Dusky Trail. This is a 23 kilometre walking and biking track that is considered non technical (grade 2). When biking, it is best ridden in a clockwise direction starting at Fraser Stream. The Dusky Trail traverses the Ruataniwha Conservation Park. It also crosses Rhoboro, Pukaki Downs, and Ben Ohau stations on public easements. The views have been described as "massive" and showcasing the "big sky".

Twizel is home to the start of the annual Twizel to Timaru Cycle Classic. The 151 kilometre race was won in 2021 by Josh Rivett. The 2020 edition was won by Myles Gibson with Sharlotte Lucas coming second.


Astronomy

The area has one of the world's cleanest, driest, and darkest skies, and has long drawn astronomers to Twizel and the surrounding area, with several existing astro-tourism ventures, such as at Lake Tekapo and Omarama, catering to their needs during the development of two additional observatories in Twizel and at Mount Cook Village. Since 2012, Twizel has been a part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark-Sky Reserve, one of sixteen (as of 2020) such reserves in the world recognised by the International Dark-Sky Association.

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