Twizel Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Twizel showing a bay or harbour and a lake or waterhole
Twizel showing signage
Twizel showing signage
Twizel which includes a lake or waterhole
Photo by Completely Wanderlust

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 ParkOpens in a new window.

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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$87 per night from 15 July to 16 July
NZ$87
15 July - 16 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star holiday park in Twizel. Enjoy free parking, WiFi (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Lake Ruataniwha and Mueller Ridge ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (141 reviews)
"liked the area and location"

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

Lake Ruataniwha Holiday Park
Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel
Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Cnr Ostler & Wairepo Roads, PO Box 99, Twizel
The price is NZ$211 per night from 13 July to 14 July
NZ$211
13 July - 14 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified hotel in Twizel. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (626 reviews)
"Quick"

Reviewed on 3 Jul. 2025

Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel
High Country Motel and Backpackers
High Country Motel and Backpackers
2.5 out of 5
23 Mackenzie Drive, Twizel
The price is NZ$115 per night from 14 July to 15 July
NZ$115
14 July - 15 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Twizel. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.6/10 Good! (243 reviews)
"Great value for money and close to plenty of restaurants and local shops."

Reviewed on 9 Jun. 2025

High Country Motel and Backpackers
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 3.5-star cottage in Twizel. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Mueller Ridge and Twizel Town Centre are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (64 reviews)
"Nice tidy unit . Great for a long weekend"

Reviewed on 29 Jun. 2025

Twizel Cottages
Original Twizel Bach - Pet Friendly
Original Twizel Bach - Pet Friendly
Twizel
Stay at this vacation home in Twizel. Enjoy laundry facilities. Popular attractions Twizel Town Centre and Mueller Ridge are located nearby.
8/10 Very Good! (26 reviews)
Great and central lovely hosts
"Lovely hosts that accommodated our changes and was exactly how it looked online - thanks"

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

Original Twizel Bach - Pet Friendly
Happy Holidays on Harris just mins from the Lake!
Happy Holidays on Harris just mins from the Lake!
Twizel
Stay at this vacation home in Twizel. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Twizel Town Centre and Mueller Ridge are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (10 reviews)
Twizel Stay
"Nice quiet comfy"

Reviewed on 23 Mar. 2025

Happy Holidays on Harris just mins from 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

Activities

Reviews of Twizel

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
41
5 - Excellent 37%
4 - Good
57
4 - Good 52%
3 - Okay
12
3 - Okay 11%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

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

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Just passing through .

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Twizel is a great base to explore the wonderful MacKenzie Country

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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