2024 Twizel Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in September)

Lord of the Rings Walking Tour

#wheretogo This tour is suitable for the die hard fans of the Lord of the Rings. You get great joy in seeing where it was filmed and will enjoy the 4 hours walking tour. The scenery was just marvelous and absolutely stunning! We had fun with the costumes and props and taking loads of pictures. The walk was brilliant and well organised. Our guide was a LOTR expert and was passionate about her sharings of the books and movies with us and did a brilliant job of explaining the background of each location we visited.

A typical tourist stopover point when you are travelling to Lake Pukaki or Lake Tekapo from Queenstown or Wanaka. High Country Salmon are grown in the glacial waters of the Mackenzie Country hydro canals. The constant flow of pristine water makes our salmon firm in flesh, and mild on the palate. Not exactly the cheapest but definitely one of the freshest. Go try the sashimi if you are a raw fish lover. #newzealand #food #sashimi

Twizel Cuisine: From salmon to authentic New Zealand flavors.

At this charming travel destination, we will not only indulge in the luxury of food, but also find a place for our souls in the tranquil natural scenery. From the state banquet-level salmon feast to the warm and comfortable motel, and then to the coffee shop and gift shop full of rural style, every place is a scenery you can't miss on your journey. 🏨Motel address: Twizel Aspin Court Motel Located on the edge of the picturesque town of Twizel, adjacent to the magnificent mountains and clear streams, Twizel Aspin Court Motel, with its unique geographical location, allows every traveler to easily integrate into nature. It is only a few minutes drive from the town center, and it is very convenient to explore local culture or enjoy quiet time. 🌆Decoration style: harmonious coexistence of nature and modernity Stepping into Twizel Aspin Court Motel, a fresh and natural breath comes to your face. The room design cleverly integrates modern simplicity and mountain forest elements. The log furniture, warm lights and greenery outside the window create a comfortable and stylish living space. Each room is like a warm cabin in the mountains and forests, making people forget the hustle and bustle and enjoy the tranquility. 🍣Restaurant features: State banquet-level salmon feast It is worth mentioning that the state banquet salmon restaurant here is a paradise for food lovers. The restaurant has an elegant environment, and the continuous mountain view outside the window adds a bit of poetry to the meal. The main salmon dishes, from selection to cooking, strictly follow the state banquet standards, and every bite is the ultimate indulgence of taste buds. It is recommended to try their signature dish-low-temperature slow-cooked salmon, with special sauce, delicious and memorable. 👩‍Restaurant service: meticulous, feel at home The restaurant's service team allows every customer to feel the warmth of home with their professional and enthusiastic attitude. From the moment you enter the door, there is a special person to guide you, patiently introduce the menu, and recommend special dishes. During the meal, the waiter observes carefully, adds tea and pours water in time, and ensures that every customer can enjoy the most intimate service. 💴Per capita consumption: cost-effective choice Although it provides a state banquet-level gourmet enjoyment, the restaurant price of Twizel Aspin Court Motel is quite affordable. The per capita consumption is about 150-250 yuan, and it varies depending on the selected dishes. Such a price, while enjoying high-quality food, also takes into account the travel budget. 🛬Local must check in: The Musterer's Hut Cafe & Gift Shop In addition to accommodation and food, The Musterer's Hut Cafe & Gift Shop in Twizel Town is also a must-see spot. This cafe attracts many tourists with its unique rural style and authentic coffee aroma. Here, you can taste handmade pastries, with a cup of strong coffee, and enjoy a leisurely afternoon. The gift shop sells a variety of local handicrafts and souvenirs, which are excellent choices to bring back to your hometown or give to relatives and friends. 👉Itinerary: Morning: Arrive in Twizel, check in to Twizel Aspin Court Motel, take a short rest, then go to the nearby mountain trail for a walk and feel the charm of nature. Noon: Have lunch at the State Banquet Salmon Restaurant and taste authentic salmon cuisine. Afternoon: Visit The Musterer's Hut Cafe & Gift Shop and enjoy the fun of coffee and shopping. Evening: Return to the hotel, watch the sunset on the terrace, or participate in the barbecue dinner provided by the hotel, and spend a good time with family and friends. 🧡Preparation before departure: Comfortable hiking shoes: easy to explore the surrounding natural scenery. Sunscreen and sun hat: protect the skin from UV damage. Camera or mobile phone: record the beautiful moments of the journey. Light rain gear: The weather in the mountains is changeable, and rain gear is prepared for emergencies. ⛲Tips: Book restaurant seats in advance, especially during weekends or holidays, to avoid overcrowding. Try to communicate with locals and learn more about Twizel's local customs. Pay attention to environmental protection and do not litter in the natural scenic area. In this surprising travel destination, let us embark on a journey of exploration about food, nature and culture together!

STARGAZE HERE IN ALPINE STUDIO!

Ben Ohau, located in New Zealand's South Island, is a picturesque mountain range in the Mackenzie Basin. Known for its rugged terrain and stunning alpine views, Ben Ohau is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The range features a variety of hiking trails, offering breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscapes, including the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki and the Southern Alps. The area is also renowned for its clear night skies, making it an excellent location for stargazing. #hotelreview

The small cabin near Mount Cook is an excellent spot for stargazing

🌌 We stayed one night each at Lake Tekapo and Twizel this time to see the star-filled sky. Everyone knows that it's hard to book accommodation at Lake Tekapo during the peak season, and it's often fully booked, so Twizel near Mount Cook is also a great choice! 💁🏻‍♀️We set off from Lake Tekapo, visited Mount Cook, and then stayed in Twizel, where there is less light pollution and fewer people. We stayed at the 🏨 Mountain Chalets Motel, which consists of two-story cabins with parking right in front of the cabins, very convenient! At night, we watched the 🌃 stars right outside our door, feeling like we had the whole starry sky to ourselves! 🌈 On the way to Mount Cook, you will pass by Lake Pukaki, which is the so-called 'Milk Lake'! On a sunny day, the color of Pukaki Lake is a soft milky blue, a bit lighter compared to Lake Tekapo. I must say, the beauty captured in photos is really just a fraction of what the 👀 eyes see! 🌟 Recommended spots to check out: ✅Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Shop: There's a salmon shop here, which is also a viewing platform with a convenient parking lot! You can eat salmon while enjoying the lake view on the shore of Lake Pukaki! Such a wonderful experience! ✅Peter's Lookout: This lookout is very close to the snowy mountains, where you can take photos of the mountains and the winding road together, and also overlook the lake view of Lake Pukaki! ✅Tasman Glacier View Track: 📍Tasman Glacier Car Park, this hiking route at Mount Cook has two directions, officially 15min to the left and 25min to the right. We actually walked and took photos for just about 1.5 hours, suitable for beginners and families with children. The advantage is that you can get close to the lake. 🌈 From Twizel to Oamaru, you can navigate 📍Twizel-High Country Salmon-Otematata - Aviemore Dam lookout-Aviemore Dam lookout - Oamaru 👉 Along the way, there are continuous beautiful views of grasslands, pastures, and lakes, with many places to stop and 📸 take photos!

Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel

The lake is not very famous, but I personally think it's incredibly beautiful. It's known for a salmon farm nearby. I came here because I wanted to hike Mount Cook, and the accommodation here is quite close. It's so pleasant to take a walk by the lake in the afternoon and evening, with people fishing by the lake and others playing with speedboats on the water, quiet and comfortable. The color of the lake water is an indescribable blue-green, and it's especially clean.

Mackenzie Country Hotel

The Mackenzie Country Hotel is a stopover on the way from Christchurch to Queenstown in New Zealand. The lakeside views along the way are truly eye-catching, with the tranquil blue waters and the sight of New Zealand's national emblem, the silver fern. The hotel features lawns, mushrooms, and an American pastoral style, and most importantly, it is located in the Mackenzie Basin - an International Dark Sky Reserve, at the foot of Mt Cook. Tonight, the Milky Way is almost parallel to the horizon, offering a moment to gaze at the stars and contemplate life, in the serenity of the exquisite night sky. Our room was on the ground floor, not small, and opening the floor-to-ceiling windows revealed a large yard. The dinner was also very good, with the steak being particularly outstanding, and the desserts were super authentic. The cleanliness was impeccable. wifi: The signal is strong near the reception, weaker further away. The facilities include heating, a washing machine, and a dryer. Check-in time: 14:00 to 20:00 / Check-out time: 07:30-10:00 Address: Mackenzie Country Hotel, Cnr Ostler & Wairepo Roads, PO Box 99

stay in Twizel in New Zealand

we stayed in a home in Twizel, under the dark sky reserve in New Zealand. on clear nights this is how clearly you can see the stars! super magical 😍😍😍

Then we drove to the sapphire-like blue-skinned Lake Pukaki, located between the mountains of Canterbury, formed by the action of glaciers, belonging to the ice lake, known for its distinctive blue color. The reputation of "Blue Milk Lake" is very popular among you. The reason why the lake is intoxicating blue is mainly because the lake contains rock particles and minerals, which can reflect the attractive blue. The azure lake is like a sloping fragrant milk, and I can't help but want to take a sip, because the distinctive blue makes it famous. It is also the best location in the magnificent Southern Alps, and is the main location for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

[Face travel] New Zealand travel star lake ~ Tekapo & Pukaki no summer ice and snow mountains, the autumn of Lake Tekapo is another look! The golden grass is just right with the ginkgo tree and the blue lake! The Church of the Good Shepherd is still surrounded by so many people, and Tekapo is the star of the whole New Zealand South Island! People should prefer Lake Pukaki, except that the blue is bright, except for the autumn scenery of the lake is beautiful, not far from the Cook Snow Mountain is still standing on the lake! In the fall of New Zealand, it is not so easy to see the snowy mountains! , not to be missed is Mount Cook hiking, we only go to the lowest view point, see the glacier! Friends who like to hike can choose a 7-hour hiking route! There are also 3-5 hours of hiking routes to choose from! If you come in the summer, you can focus on Tekapo, if you come in the fall, you can focus on Lake Pukaki!

At first glance, I fell in love with Lake Pukaki.

Twizel is a small town south of Lake Pukaki and is a great base for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking. Sometimes when the accommodation in Mount Cook is tense, visitors will choose to settle here. From here to the north is Mount Cook, to the east is Tekapo, to the west is Wanaka, convenient location. On the way to Tekapo, I had another fun thing. In New Zealand, people are a rarity. The roadside farm has a herd of cows. I just approached all the cows and ran across to see me. Dozens of identical bull faces were moving against me and moving with me, a little scared.

There are two salmon farms, the shops of Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Farm are at the southernmost viewing point of Lake Pukaki, and the farm is not here, on the canal between Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. Drive to the east bank of Lake Pukaki. There will be a canal connecting Pukkaji Lake and Lake Tekapo in the middle. You can see the farm as you continue along the canal. It turned out that the road next to the canal had been driving to Tekapo, but it has not passed. Another Salmon Farm High Country Salmon Farm is on the main road, from Twizel to Pukaki, just past Twizel, next to Lake Ruataniwha, you can see the big sign. The one on the canal side, called Chinook Salmon, is translated into fine-scale salmon. It is the same variety as the salmon in the sea near New Zealand. The main roadside is Atlantic Salmon, Atlantic salmon, and New Zealand's South Island freshwater lake. The variety. Comparing the two species, I prefer Chinook. What about the price? 1 kg of King salmon slices, 30NZD, mustard and soy sauce need to be purchased separately, but the taste is especially good. It wouldn't be possible to think of four people who had eaten one kilogram, but everyone couldn't stop it when they opened it. Killed the market in a few minutes.

Seeing pukaki at first, come to the front, how should the blue be described? It is not like the glaciers in the Hook Valley Trail at the foot of the Cook Snow Mountain, like the milk lake, nor the pure blue that we saw before in Lake Te Anau. The lake is clear and transparent on the shore, but far away. It looks like a little bit of milk mixed in the blue lake water. Some people describe it as Turkish blue, Baidu, and found it is very appropriate. Visual beauty also has its scientific origin. First of all, the beginning of Lake Pukaki is related to the glacier movement. After the fall of the Mount Cook Glacier, a basin was created under the action of the erosion of the glaciers around the Mount Cook and the rockfill on the ice side, which formed a large amount of ice and snow to form the barrier lake. Second, there are a lot of rock particles and minerals in the lake. They are suspended in the lake and reflect the blue light of milk. No wonder the color of this lake is different. Pukaki Lake is very large. Before turning to the SH80, there is a viewing spot at the southernmost point of the lake. It is also the store rest area of the most famous salmon farm in the South Island. The shore is full of large reefs to avoid the impact of the lake on the dam. From here you can see the pukaki lake all the way to the northernmost Cook Mountain Range.

Cook Mountain

One hour's drive from Mount Cook is Lake Pukaki. It is a lake of milk. It is very beautiful. It is the first beautiful lake in New Zealand. If you have been to the sand lake in Xinjiang, you will find it. Almost, the principle of formation is the same. There are two rivers, Tasman and Hooker, which are mixed with limestone to form milk blue. Pukaki Lake is not far from Lake Tekapo, less than 50 kilometers. There is an artificial channel with a width of about 20 meters in the middle. The channel is the water from the lake of Lake Tikpo. A hydroelectric power station on the lakeside is part of the Pukaki Lake power generation plan. The channel will soon be seen on the road, and the branch road along the channel is a short-distance road to Lake Pukaki. To a trout farm, it is located in the middle of the channel. The cold water fish such as squid squid have high water quality requirements. It is a suitable place to raise fish in this channel. The visitor center is located at the southern end of the long strip of Lake Pukaki. The lake is on the Mt. Cook Lookout. The Mount Cook is located at the northern end of the lake. It is still 55 kilometers away. If there is no time. A trip to Mount Cook, Lake Pukaki This is the best place to look out over Mount Cook and save 110 kilometers. Lake Pukaki is located at the junction of Highway 8 and Highway 80, which is the only road north into Mount Cook.

The only way to Mount Cook, Lake Pukaki. I know Pukaji Lake because I have heard about his unique milk blue. The little waves are incomparably white and slap on the shore. There are a lot of white stones on the shore, big and small. Someone has piled up stones, and I have tried it, up to five layers, and I am at this level. The drone was released, and the milk blue was seen at high altitude, which was even more intense. These days, I have been pondering a question. In such a lake, there are no creatures. Or talk straightforward about the topics that Chinese people care most about, are there delicious fish?

Lake Pukaki is also known as the Blue Milk Lake. It is also related to the glacier movement. After the fall of the Mount Cook Glacier, a basin was created under the erosion of the glaciers in the Southern Alps and the rocky side of the ice, and a large amount of snow and ice melted to form the barrier lake. In the mountains of the mountains, the lake is like a sea of blue water, poured into the rich milk, emitting a blue glow of milk under the sun. This is because there are a lot of rock particles and minerals in the lake, they are suspended in the lake water, reflecting the blue light of milk. When I came to Lake Pukaki, the trip was nearing the end. For this afternoon's arrangement, I simply wrote on the itinerary: Pukaki Lake is in a daze. This is the most beautiful lake I have ever seen in New Zealand, because the beauty of Lake Pukaki is too shocking, just like the biggest and brightest star in the sky, which makes other stars eclipse. This is the living environment I yearn for.

After the collapse of the Mount Cook Glacier, a basin was created under the erosion of the glaciers in the Southern Alps and the rocky side of the ice, and a large number of ice and snow melted to form the barrier lake. Lake Pukaki is also known as the Blue Milk Lake, because the lake is like a scent of milk in the blue waters of the sky, emitting a blue glow of milk under the sun. According to geologists, this is because there are a lot of rock particles and minerals in the lake, suspended in the lake water, reflecting the blue light of milk. When we went, the wind was very strong, and the lake was very unsettled, so we couldnt see the scenery of the Cook Snow Mountain. However, the vast lake and the snow-capped mountains are in harmony with each other.

You will pass by such a small town in the South Island, called Twizel, which is about 40 minutes away from Tekapo. The area is very small and the population is small. Several restaurant supermarkets are gathered together, almost the town center. There are no stations. But because of this, it is extremely quiet, although the scenery is not special, but leisurely driving to the nearby unknown lake is also very good. On the early morning of leaving Twizel, the sun was burning. I found a basin in the kitchen, filled it with water and poured it on the car. I drove the car myself and then set off for Queenstown.