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 personalised 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 manoeuvrability. 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
Stay at this 3-star holiday park in Twizel. Enjoy free parking, Wi-Fi (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Lake Ruataniwha and Mueller Ridge ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (146 reviews)
"Arrived late and check in instructions were easy to follow!! Was greeted by a sweet little dog called Arlo. Our cabin was preheated for us which was wonderful for such a cold night!!"

Reviewed on 14 Aug 2025

Lake Ruataniwha Holiday Park
Alps Motel Apartment Twizel

Alps Motel Apartment Twizel

2 out of 5
17 Ruataniwha Street, Twizel, Twizel
The price is ฿4,716 per night from 19 Aug to 20 Aug
฿4,716
฿5,423 total
19 Aug - 20 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Twizel. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Twizel Town Centre and Mueller Ridge are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (66 reviews)
"Lovely newish motel, well located for services. Bonus having a washing machine/dryer in the unit."

Reviewed on 13 Aug 2025

Alps Motel Apartment Twizel
Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel

Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel

3.5 out of 5
Cnr Ostler & Wairepo Roads, PO Box 99, Twizel
The price is ฿3,610 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
฿3,610
฿4,152 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified hotel in Twizel. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (631 reviews)
"The staff are great but the place is getting a bit tired. My room was single glazed and it was -4 degrees. Heat was supplied by a very noisy fan heater."

Reviewed on 14 Aug 2025

Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel
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 Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Mueller Ridge and Twizel Town Centre are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (65 reviews)
"Absolutely perfect. Warm, clean, and comfortable. Will certainly stay again!"

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

Twizel Cottages
Glencairn Glamour

Glencairn Glamour

3.5 out of 5
30 Glencairn Road, Twizel
Stay at this 3.5-star holiday home in Twizel. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Mueller Ridge and Twizel Town Centre are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (11 reviews)
Great house rental in Twizel
"Wonderful house in Twizel. Clean, spacious, in a quiet neighborhood. Bit far to walk to town center, but just a 2-3 minute drive. Only downside was they told us after making the reservation that there were no toiletries (e.g. shower wash & shampoo). Internet password was out of date but they were ..."

Reviewed on 6 Apr 2025

Glencairn Glamour
Glencairn Beauty

Glencairn Beauty

3.5 out of 5
16 Glencairn Road, Twizel
Stay at this 3.5-star holiday home in Twizel. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Mueller Ridge and Twizel Town Centre are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
"This was our favorite stay in New Zealand. Comfortable house in the cute town of Twizel with lots of dining options, two grocery stores, amazing stars, and convenient to Mt Cook. The house is in a neighborhood so a bit tricky to find at night, but very comfortable with a well-equipped kitchen and ..."

Reviewed on 6 May 2025

Glencairn Beauty
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.

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