I’ve proudly called Twizel home for the past 20 years and love sharing the beauty of this special place with visitors. My name is Philippa, and I run a small local business, Destination Twizel, dedicated to making every stay comfortable and memorable.

Totara Cottage offers a comfortable stay with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and a TV. Inside, you’ll find a queen bed, cozy seating, and a well-equipped kitchen featuring a hob, microwave, and under-bench fridge. The modern bathroom includes a shower, toilet, vanity, and heated towel rail for your convenience. A private deck provides the perfect spot to relax and enjoy warm summer evenings. Nestled at the rear of a residential property where the owners live, the cottage has its own private parking and is just a short stroll to Twizel’s cafes and restaurants.

Twizel is famous for its breathtaking night skies, offering some of the clearest views of the stars. As the closest town to Aoraki Mt Cook, it provides easy access to stunning landscapes and fantastic fishing in the surrounding lakes and canals. Situated halfway between Christchurch and Queenstown, many guests stop here to relax while journeying between these two iconic destinations. There are many free or low cost activities. Cycling: Twizel is a major accommodation hub on the Alps to Ocean Cycleway, a long distance leisure cycling track that runs from Mt Cook to Oamaru. There are more cycle tracks running around the town and through the local area. Fishing: Fishing in the hydro canals is available throughout the year and is becoming more popular. Twizel is a well-know base for international fly fishers who come here to experience the world-class fishing and clear streams in picturesque scenery. There are a number of local guides who take clients, but this is best to be booked in advance. Horse riding: Glentanner, on the road to Mt Cook provides horse trekking experiences on the surrounding mountains for beginners to experienced riders. Ski-ing: Twizel is a well kept skiers secret. Although not rated as a resort, four ski areas are within a short drive. The Ohau Ski field is thirty minutes by car and lift waiting times are short. Round Hill at Tekapo and Mt Dobson are 1hr 20 min from Twizel. Heliski-ing on the Tasman Glacier can be arranged with notice. Lakes: Lake Ruataniwha has safe swimming for children.