Sited on land that was once part of Ruataniwha Station, Twizel was constructed as the base for the Upper Waitaki Power Development. This scheme was the largest hydro project ever undertaken in New Zealand , started in 1968 and completed 18 years later.
Twizel is a new town – new in that it was constructed as recently as 1968, and “New Town” is the planning definition for the modern layout of the streets, facilities and amenities.
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Twizel's buy viagra no prescription layout is based on a Scandinavian concept first used in New Zealand at Mangakino (another 'hydro town') and modified at Otematata – base for the Benmore and Aviemore power projects in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
24km of streets were laid in a radial pattern from a central ring road – Mackenzie Drive. Shopping and sporting facilities are centrally located with green areas linking streets to provide safe pedestrian ways to the town centre. Twizel was designed for a peak population of 5,800 and there were 1300 sections occupied in 1977.
Almost all facilities and services that supported the town at the peak of the power project remain, with others, such as the redevelopment of Market Place and installation of solar heating at the swimming pool , have been added since.
Today Twizel is a service and tourist town in the Mackenzie Basin with a residential population of approximately 1200 people.
Popular as a holiday town, in summer the population more than trebles.
The “hydro age” has seen the biggest change – millions of trees planted in the riverbeds and areas restored after hydro construction.
Twizel is the focus of that work – with more than 250,000 trees in the Greenbelt and species, chosen to tone down the greys and browns of the Basin, planted within the town.
Residents were encouraged to plant more trees on their own properties. The results are now obvious in the shelter provided
against the equinox winds.
THE MACKENZIE BASIN
The Mackenzie Basin is located in the middle of the South Island at an average of more than 300 meters above sea level. It contains Lakes such as Tekapo, Alexandrina, Pukaki, Ohau, Ruataniwha and Benmore. Because of the fact that the Basin is surrounded by mountain ranges it has a very distinct climate. The Mackenzie Basin is named after the legendary Scottish shepherd James Mackenzie. In 1857 the 704,000 hectares of the Basin was divided among runholders who mainly run merino sheep.
Twizel
Before the white settler came the coastal Maoris used to migrate to the Basin for the hot summers. They quarried stone and hunted moa. There is evidence that the Basin was once covered with Totara Forest. A reforestation programme for the Basin is underway. The Mackenzie Basin is accessible from Christchurch through Burke's Pass, from Queenstown through the Lindis Pass and from the East Coast through the Waitaki Valley via the Otematata Saddle.
You can take a scenic flight from Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook giving you superb views over the Southern Alps and its surrounds. Your ski-plane can actually land on the Tasman Glacier to make your flight truly unforgettable. All sorts of ski options are available, including heli-skiing and ski touring, with experienced guides at your disposal. They can take you climbing, tramping and snowboarding. For an unrivalled experience, the guides can even take you on a glacier exploration adventure.
Omarama
Omarama has one of the world’s finest gliding environments, mountains, clear air and favourable atmospheric conditions all combining to create perfect soaring. Omarama Airfield has been home to aviation giants Steve Fossett and NASA, and also hosted the 1995 World Gliding Championships.
Lake Tekapo
The beautiful turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, contrasted by the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps and surrounding yellow-tussock farmland, are sure to take your breath away. Visit the picture-perfect Church of the Good Shepherd or enjoy some waterskiing on Lake Tekapo.
Fairlie
Chief town of inland South Canterbury, 62 km north-west of Timaru. It had a 2006 population of 717, down from 846 in 1996. It lies on the upper Opihi River at the junction of State Highway 79, from Rangitata via Geraldine, and State Highway 8, from Washdyke and Timaru. Fairlie plays a role in the tourist industry and is the service town for the Fairlie basin including the farming districts of Clayton, Ashwick Flat and Sherwood Downs. It is the seat of the Mackenzie District and the site of Mackenzie College, a co-educational secondary school.
Burkes Pass
Main point of entry on State Highway 8, into the Mackenzie Country, 22 km west of Fairlie. It was crossed over by Michael Burke of Raincliff Station in the late 1850s. Between 1876 and 1891 the Mt Cook Road Board and then the Mackenzie Country Council was based at the Burkes Pass township, after which the council moved to Fairlie. The settlement today has a scattering of holiday homes.
What to see here:
Omarama
Lake Tekapo
Fairlie
Burkes Pass
Lord of the rings tour
Where to stay:
Twizel holiday homes.
Oficcial Website http://www.twizelholidayhomes.com/
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