Summary
The Mackenzie Basin is the largest inter-montane (between mountains) basin in New Zealand and is part of the South Island 'high country'. The basin is ringed with rolling, tussock-clad mountains and on a fine day the views are spectacular. Mackenzie Basin rivers all drain into the Waitaki RIver and out to the east coast near Oamaru.
The region offers a large variety of walks, ranging from short ten-minute strolls to full-day walks. Some of the walks travel through private farmland so please keep to the marked tracks.
Backcountry tramping information is covered in these four park brochures: Te Kahui Kaupeka, Ruataniwha, Oteake and Ahuriri. These four conservation parks are accessible from the Mackenzie/Waitaki region.