High Country Cabin, Twizel, New Zealand South Island
Head into the wild, to the New Zealand cabin of dreams. (Last updated 06 January 2025). “Cabin porn”: our obsession with the humble cabin goes far beyond aesthetic, to a deeper longing for home, cosy-ness and a sense of being closer to nature. And with everything going on in the world today, it is understandable to just want to disappear into a semblance of a more simple life. To get away from the incessant stresses of modern living. It was perhaps this longing for solitude that led me to book a stay at High Country Cabin, near Twizel on New Zealand’s South Island.
Nestled at the foot of the dramatic Ben Ohau mountain range, this south island hideaway is inspired by the traditional backcountry huts in the region. The cabin is best characterised by an absence of intrusions. There’s no TV or phone signal, making it the perfect place to reconnect with those around you. An evening of scrabble and red wine ensued, warmed by the flames of the wood burning stove as the cold winter’s night drew in outside.
The cabin
If you’re staying at High Country Cabin you probably won’t want to leave to go anywhere. The cabin is equipped with everything you’ll need for a short stay. It has scrabble and charades to keep you entertained. There’s a fully-equipped kitchen with old-fashioned iron skillets and gas hob, and an excellent selection of books. There’s a wood burning stove to keep you warm. You can have a go at splitting your own logs for kindling outside. The resident sheep outside also make curious neighbours as they peer in through the windows.
What else is in the area
If you are feeling more energetic, there are some beautiful hikes in the area. Head up towards Mount Cook/Aoraki, New Zealand’s tallest mountain. Here you’ll find the Hooker Valley Track and some epic climbing spots. The region is also full of mountain biking trails, as well as being a mecca for fly fishing. In winter you can visit Ohau Ski Resort (a small ski field). Or venture further south to the larger ski resorts such as Cadrona near Queenstown and Wanaka. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are also numerous companies in the area offering helicopter rides to the glaciers.
How to get to High Country Cabin
You can reach High Country Cabin from either Queenstown or Christchurch. The former will take you through the dramatic Lindis Pass. The rolling golden-coloured mountains have to be seen to be believed. The other route will take you past the beautiful lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. The nearest town to the cabin is Twizel. You can stock up there on essentials such as dinner supplies and a good pinot noir from neighbouring Otago.
Read more: The Hooker Valley Track: The Perfect Introduction to Hiking in New Zealand
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