​The Mackenzie district high country area in South Canterbury is one of our favourite inland areas of New Zealand. It has such a variety of natural dramatic landscapes making a for a fantastic scenic drive. The turquoise glacial lakes against the background of snowy mountain peaks is unmatched.
The district is full of small towns to explore, Tekapo, Farlie, Mount Cook Village, Twizel and Omarama which is on the edge of the basin area. We have covered off some of these towns individually in previous newsletters. They all each have their own attractions and things to see and do, and we recommend each of them on their own merits. The below is a general outline and suggestions for the general wider Mackenzie basin area. We do recommend always packing/preparing for changeable weather in this area and checking the weather a few days ahead. It can get very windy through the basin and snow is a regular occurrence through most of winter. We ourselves have been locked in by snow in Tekapo.

The Mackenzie district high country area in South Canterbury is one of our favourite inland areas of New Zealand. It has such a variety of natural dramatic landscapes making a for a fantastic scenic drive. The turquoise glacial lakes against the background of snowy mountain peaks is unmatched.
The district is full of small towns to explore, Tekapo, Farlie, Mount Cook Village, Twizel and Omarama which is on the edge of the basin area. We have covered off some of these towns individually in previous newsletters. They all each have their own attractions and things to see and do, and we recommend each of them on their own merits. The below is a general outline and suggestions for the general wider Mackenzie basin area. We do recommend always packing/preparing for changeable weather in this area and checking the weather a few days ahead. It can get very windy through the basin and snow is a regular occurrence through most of winter. We ourselves have been locked in by snow in Tekapo. 
 
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Top sights & must-do stops

• Lake Tekapo: Iconic turquoise water, Church of the Good Shepherd, lakeside picnic spots and short walks. Mt John Observatory and stargazing tours — world-class night skies.
• Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park: Alpine trails (Hooker Valley, Tasman Glacier viewpoint), alpine visitor centre, mountain vistas. Roads can be narrow — drive carefully.
• Twizel: Gateway town with shops, cafes, water sports on Lake Ruataniwha, excellent base for fishing and cycling.
• Ōmārama: Clay Cliffs, Good Shepherd Church, gliding and sykdive opportunities and nearby scenic drives.
• Tasman & Pukaki Lakes: Intense blue/teal glacial lakes with stunning views of Aoraki/Mt Cook from the southern shore (Pukaki viewpoint).
• Hot pools & relaxation: Tekapo Springs (hot pools, spa, ice skating in season).

 
RV parking, holiday parks & services

• Holiday parks: Tekapo, Twizel and Mt Cook Village have powered sites, dump stations and showers — ideal for overnight stays.
• Freedom camping: Limited and regulated. Only stay in designated freedom-camp sites with self-contained certified vehicles where allowed. Check local signage and council rules before stopping. Or check the NZMCA app for details. 
• Dump stations/fresh water: Available at main town holiday parks and some service stations — Tekapo has a great community dump station with rubbish disposal also.  
• Fuel & supplies: Fuel and grocery options in Twizel and Tekapo; limited choices near Mt Cook — carry spare fuel and manage your main supplies if heading to remote spots.
• Waste & recycling: Use town facilities; don’t dump wastewater anywhere but approved stations.

 
Practical tips & road info

• Roads: Mostly sealed but some alpine and backcountry routes are narrow and exposed. Watch for livestock, changing conditions, and tourist campervans in summer. Gravel roads common for scenic detours — slow down.
• Weather: Alpine climate — rapid changes. Nights can be cold year-round at elevation. Summer (Dec–Feb) is busiest and warmest; shoulder seasons (spring/autumn) offer fewer crowds and dramatic light; winter brings snow and some closures.
• Cell coverage & connectivity: Good in main towns; patchy in valleys, national park and remote lakes. Download maps and guides for offline use.
• Driving safety: Respect single-lane bridges, give way rules, and allow faster traffic to pass where safe. Carry chains if winter conditions forecasted.

 
Activities & experiences

• Hiking: Short walks (Mt John, Lake Tekapo shoreline) to multi-hour trails (Hooker Valley). Choose routes to match fitness and weather.
• Stargazing & photography: Tekapo is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve — bring a tripod, warm clothes, and a headlamp with a red filter.
• Cycling & paddling: Lake Ruataniwha, Canal paths and local cycle trails are excellent. Kayak/Paddleboard on calm mornings.
• Fishing: Renowned trout fishing; check licences and seasonal rules.
• Scenic drives: State Highway 8 and 80 offer dramatic vistas — allow extra time for photo stops.

 
Local events & timing

• Summer (Dec–Feb): Peak visitor season, events and extended services.
• Autumn (Mar–May): Fewer crowds, vibrant light for photography.
• Winter (Jun–Aug): Snow at higher elevations; some services limited; good for snow activities if prepared.
• Ice skating rink and hot pools in Tekapo. 
• Check local community calendars in Tekapo, Twizel and Ōmārama for markets, festivals and guided tours during your visit.

 
Rules, permits & etiquette

• Respect private land: Stick to marked tracks and public access points.
• Fire safety: Seasonal open‑fire bans common; only use designated facilities.
• Biosecurity: Clean gear and shoes when moving between alpine and lowland areas to reduce spread of weeds and pests.
• Leave no trace: Pack out rubbish, avoid disturbing wildlife and cultural sites.

As many of you know, Deluxe RV Group is a family owned and operated business with a heritage we are all very proud of. We are currently running on the third generation of Smith family involvement with the fourth generation starting their after school work recently.

The Smith family originates in Woodend where Gary's parents Brad and Phyl Smith owned and operated a small garage and service station which they later extended to also run a small bus service. Phyl was actually the first female bus driver in New Zealand.
During the 1970’s Brad and Phyl moved their young family to Blenheim where they took on a number of business ventures over the years starting with a service station and then in 1972 the well known local bus service De-Luxe Motors which was originally established in the 1920's. De-Luxe Motors eventually morphed into Deluxe Travel Line over time and became the local bus operator including school runs, wine trails and South Island wide coach tours. Our current main premises at 45 Main Street was also constructed. 
Brad and Phyl, with the support of Gary and Greg working in the business later expanded into an Australian tourism venture (1989), a local hotel (1991), bus importation from Japan and residential property development.

​After a decade or so of trading, the Hotel was sold to Scenic Circle and the bus operations sold to Richie's Coachlines, with the family retaining the Deluxe brand name and continuing with Japanese bus imports and property development.
Imported buses were popular for customers seeking or undertaking motorhome conversions. Before European motorhomes gained popularity, bus conversions formed the bulk of motorhomes on NZ roads. However over time European motorhomes gained popularity and importation became easier and cheaper, while imports of Japanese buses became more difficult. Deluxe RV Group had already naturally started moving into sales of European motorhomes and caravans.
 
As the businesses grew, so too did the number of family members involved. In early 2020 a family wide decision was made to split the main businesses to make things simpler for future generations. 
Greg and his immediate family took full control of the property development business and Gary, Brett and Daryl now have full control of the RV side of the business, so both businesses are now fully independent of each other but still operate under the Deluxe Group brand.
When visiting Deluxe RV, you are certain to meet at least one of the family with Gary overseeing Vehicle Sales and Logistics, Daryl as the General Manager and Brett working as both the Workshop Manager and After-Sales Manager.