Twizel Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Twizel showing signage
Base yourself at this convenient South Island stopover town to take a scenic flight over a glacier, see movie-set landscapes and get active in alpine wonderlands.

Twizel is a small town in the Mackenzie District of New Zealand’s South Island, which is an alpine region full of spellbinding mountains, lakes and rolling hills. Twizel is situated next to Lake Ruataniwha and gives easy access to the vast Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Established in 1968 to house workers of the local hydroelectric scheme, Twizel is a relatively young town even for New Zealand standards. Due to its convenient location in between Lake Tekapo and Queenstown, Twizel has become a popular stopover for those crossing New Zealand’s South Island.

Set out on a hike or bike ride to take in the majesty of the surrounding lakes and mountains. Mountain bike options from Twizel range from simple bike hire through to fully supported multi-day tours.

Step into the mystical realms of Middle-earth during a Lord Of The Rings Twizel Tour. Visit the stunning spots where famous scenes were filmed and learn about how the movies were made. Put on a costume to pose for a photo for a great souvenir.

See the scenery from a different perspective by taking a kayak trip out on a lake. Go on a guided tour or drift along in the serenity of your own company.

A third way of appreciating the majesty of the landscape is from above. Enjoy a scenic biplane flight, which takes just 2 passengers to provide a personalized viewing experience.

Visit High Country Salmon at their lakeside farm just to the south of town. Feed the salmon in the ponds with some of the free fish food that is provided and marvel at their speed and maneuverability. Order fresh salmon sushi, salmon pies or smoked salmon and eat it next to the ponds where the fish was caught.

Twizel is located in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark-Sky Reserve, a heaven for stargazers. Dark-sky reserves are in low nighttime light areas and reduce artificial light pollution to help promote astronomy.

Whether it's the night sky or the movie-like scenery, you can’t help but be starstruck by this enchanting place in the far regions of the Southern Hemisphere.

Lake Ruataniwha Holiday Park
Lake Ruataniwha Holiday Park
3 out of 5
53 Freda Du Faur Avenue, Twizel
The price is NZ$88 per night from 12 Jun to 13 Jun
NZ$88
per night
12 Jun - 13 Jun
Stay at this 3-star holiday park in Twizel. Enjoy free parking, WiFi (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Lake Ruataniwha and Mueller Ridge ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (44 reviews)
Great place.
"Great place"

Reviewed on 11 May 2024

Lake Ruataniwha Holiday Park
Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel
Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel
3 out of 5
Cnr Ostler & Wairepo Roads, PO Box 99, Twizel
The price is NZ$199 per night from 14 May to 15 May
NZ$199
per night
14 May - 15 May
Stay at this 3-star ski hotel in Twizel. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and WiFi (surcharge). Popular attractions Twizel Town Centre and Mueller ...
8/10 Very Good! (547 reviews)
"Lovely relaxing stay"

Reviewed on 8 May 2024

Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel
Mountain Chalets Motel
Mountain Chalets Motel
3 out of 5
Wairepo Road, Twizel
Stay at this motel in Twizel. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (859 reviews)
"Unique setting in a small quaint village"

Reviewed on 13 Mar. 2024

Mountain Chalets Motel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Twizel Cottages
Twizel Cottages
3.5 out of 5
2 Irishman Drive, Twizel
Stay at this cottage in Twizel. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Mueller Ridge and Twizel Town Centre are located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (55 reviews)
Nice place except for the beds.
"Our only complaint with this property were the beds. They were very soft and worn. We were a group of two couples travelling. All 4 of us had bad sleeps on the two beds and complained of sore backs. Good beds are so important. The rest of the cottage was locked lovely."

Reviewed on 14 Mar. 2024

Twizel Cottages
Private holiday home
Private holiday home
Twizel
Stay at this vacation home in Twizel. Enjoy free WiFi, balconies, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Mueller Ridge and Twizel Town Centre are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (42 reviews)
Warm, clean and spacious
"Stay while visiting Mt. Cook. Great for groups. Would stay again."

Reviewed on 5 May 2024

Private holiday home
TWIZEL - House near the lake
TWIZEL - House near the lake
Twizel
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Twizel. Enjoy free WiFi, patios, and in-room washers/dryers. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (52 reviews)
Great place very enjoyable
"3 nights great fun beautiful scenery"

Reviewed on 29 Jan. 2024

TWIZEL - House near the lake
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Twizel

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
41
" "5 - Excellent 37.27272727272727%
4 - Good
57
" "4 - Good 51.81818181818182%
3 - Okay
12
" "3 - Okay 10.909090909090908%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
8 Jun 2020

Try Mike's salmon pizza or burgers at RAZZAs. Not good for the waistline but oh so good!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
24 Mar 2020

I’ve been going to Twizel since I was little but hadn’t been in 5 years. It’s great to see how much the town has progressed in that time, but it’s also nice to see that it has kept its small town charm as well.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
16 Mar 2020

Small town with more than enough dining options. We had a great stay

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
10 Mar 2020

Just passing through .

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
29 Jan 2020

Twizel is a great base to explore the wonderful MacKenzie Country

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
19 Jan 2020

Charming town near Mt Cook with all the facilities (particularly like how they’re all located together at Market Place). Would recommend staying here and taking the scenic drive along Lake Pukaki. Much cheaper and complete than Mt Cook village.

Cities near Twizel