Cycle Journeys' new Twizel depot has officially opened, expanding tourism opportunities and revenue for the Southland region.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Hon Louise Upston officially opened Cycle Journeys’ new Twizel depot on Friday, 23 January, marking a milestone for New Zealand’s cycle tourism industry now worth NZD 1.2 billion annually.
The purpose-built depot on Benmore Place represents a significant addition to Mackenzie Basin's tourism infrastructure, supporting employment, higher visitor volumes, and more consistent regional spend.
It positions Twizel at the centre of the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail, a 316-kilometre route running from Aoraki Mt Cook to Oamaru and the longest of the Nga Haerenga Great Rides national cycle trail network.
Louise Upston congratulated Cycle Journeys on their new depot and acknowledged what a great privilege it is to open the new depot in Twizel.
“Cycle trails are continuing to grow in popularity across New Zealand and it is fantastic to see the real economic benefits they bring to our regional communities. I recently announced that our Government is committing NZD 7.5 million over three years from the New Zealand Cycle Trail Fund to ensure our world-class trails continue to thrive. We are committed to ensuring all our Great Rides remain well-maintained and managed for the future, continuing to attract domestic and international visitors alike and deliver economic benefits. New Depots like Cycle Journeys will help to support the Government’s goal of attracting more international visitors to our cycleways.”
Cycle Journeys founder and owner Geoff Gabites said the opening reflected how far cycle tourism has come since the Great Rides network was launched in 2012.
“From a standing start just over a decade ago, cycle tourism has become one of New Zealand’s strongest-performing visitor sectors,” Gabites said.
“The Alps to Ocean remains the jewel in the crown of the Great Rides, and Twizel sits right at its heart. This depot exists because the demand is real, sustained, and worth investing in for the long term.”
According to Trail Evaluation Report #2 released late last year, usage across the Great Rides network has grown 18 percent since 2021, while revenue has increased 34 percent to NZD 1.28 billion, exceeding the value of both cruise tourism and Māori tourism.
As the longest trail in the network, the Alps to Ocean now attracts more than 100,000 riders and walkers each year, with international visitors making up around 40 percent of users.
Cycle Journeys CEO Marcus Waters said the new depot reflects the role cycling now plays in regional economies.
“This kind of infrastructure supports skilled jobs, lifts service standards, and helps regional towns capture more value from tourism,” Waters said.
“Cycle tourism delivers low-impact growth with high returns for communities, and this investment ensures we can keep meeting demand while contributing to Twizel and the wider Mackenzie.”
The official opening took place on Friday, 23 January 2026 with the Minister formally cutting the ribbon.
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