Mackenzie Country: turquoise lakes and the clearest night sky
The Mackenzie is the high, dry basin between Canterbury and the Southern Alps: glacial lakes in an improbable turquoise, tussock as far as you can see, and a night sky protected as an international Dark Sky Reserve.
What it's known for
- Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki's glacial blue water
- Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak
- The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
- Wide tussock basins and big-sky drives
- Stargazing and astronomy experiences
- A natural stopping point between Christchurch and Queenstown
Getting around
- Sits on the main route between Christchurch and Queenstown
- The alpine approach roads can be icy in winter
- Distances between the lakes and the mountain are longer than they appear
- Private drivers make it a relaxed stop rather than a rushed one
Many visitors pass through the Mackenzie on the way between Christchurch and Queenstown, stop for a photo and keep driving. That is a shame — this is one of the few places in the country where an overnight stay changes the whole experience, because of the sky.
The area is also higher and colder than people expect, and the roads towards the mountain are exposed. Winter here is beautiful and demands a driver who knows the conditions.
We drive the Mackenzie corridor constantly. It works as a transfer, as part of a longer trip, or as a slow touring day with time at the lakes rather than a photo stop and back in the car.
Towns and cities we drive in Mackenzie
Travelling it without a rental car
Highway 1 Tours & Transfers runs private vehicles with local drivers right across New Zealand — single transfers, full touring days, or a driver who stays with you for the whole trip. You get a fixed price agreed before you travel, no left-hand-side driving to learn, and someone who knows the roads and the weather.
Common questions
Keep exploring
Other services we offer
A private transfer is only part of what we do. The same NZTA-licensed drivers and vehicles cover tours, hourly hire, airport and cruise work, corporate travel and group bookings throughout New Zealand.
Private, luxury & multi-day travel
Private touring, chauffeur hire, honeymoon travel and a driver for your whole New Zealand trip.
Explore private travelArriving in New Zealand
First-time visitor guides to landing at Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington and Dunedin.
Read the arrival guidesIsland & region guides
What each part of New Zealand is known for, how long the drives really take, and how to travel it without a rental car.
Explore destinationsVisiting New Zealand
Driving on the left, kilometres to miles, money and tipping, the seasons, and travelling without a rental car.
Read visitor infoAirport shuttle alternative
Private airport transfers instead of a shared shuttle — your group alone, direct to the terminal, price agreed first.
Compare the optionsCity taxi, upgraded
A fixed-price private car instead of the taxi rank — city-by-city guides across New Zealand.
See your citySuburb airport transfers
Local detail on the run to Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington Airport from your own suburb.
Find your suburbPrivate day tours & sightseeing
Keep the same driver for the day and shape the route around what you'd like to see nationwide.
See private toursBy-the-hour driver hire
A driver and vehicle held for a block of time — best when your travel starts and finishes in the same town.
Book hourly hireAirport transfers
Flight-tracked pickups and drop-offs at every main New Zealand airport, door to door.
Airport transfersCruise port transfers & shore days
Met at the terminal in Auckland, Tauranga, Akaroa or Picton — back on board well before all-aboard time.
Cruise transfersSki field transfers
Winter-ready vehicles and alpine drivers for Queenstown, Wānaka, Mt Hutt and Ruapehu — gear included.
Ski transfersCorporate & executive travel
Business accounts, client and staff runs, event movements and consolidated invoicing.
Talk to usGroups, fleets & rental car alternative
Multiple vehicles on one booking for larger parties, or a driven alternative to hiring a car.
Rental car alternativeWhat transfers and taxis cost
Plain answers on what moves the price of an airport run in New Zealand, and how a fixed total compares with a meter.
Fares & costsWeddings, balls & big occasions
Private transport for weddings, school balls, corporate events, funerals, large groups and accessible travel.
Occasion transportConcerts & event transport
Ride there and ride home for the big nights — concerts, festivals and events across New Zealand.
Event transport
Please note: by-the-hour driver hire is only suitable when your travel starts and finishes in the same town. If you're finishing somewhere else, book a private transfer or a day trip so your fare covers the driver's travel.