Summary:
Skylark Cabin is a private, luxury escape, nestled serenely within the awe-inspiring landscape of the Mackenzie Region. Surrounded by soaring mountain ranges and the rugged, ethereal beauty of an expansive valley, this isn’t just a comfortable place to stay, it’s an experience in itself. Witness the mesmerising clarity of a starry night sky. Connect with nature and escape from the pace of daily life.
Skylark Cabin is 10km to Twizel, 50-min to Mt Cook, 4hrs to Christchurch, & 3hrs to Queenstown.
The Space:
Spend a night under the stars
Named after the birds that nest on our property, Skylark Cabin is architecturally inspired accommodation, built in 2020, and thoughtfully designed to make the most of the awe-inspiring vistas that surround you. Our cabin is equipped with all the amenities you need for a comfortable, luxurious getaway for two, but also comes with that sense of simplicity that gives you the space you need to feel blissfully removed from the rush of every day.
Luxury accommodation for two with a private outdoor hot tub
Whether it's retreat and relaxation you seek, or action and adventure, we’ve ensured that Skylark Cabin has everything you need for an unforgettable getaway.
Thoughtful, modern design makes Skylark Cabin a unique experience in itself. We’ve created a private, luxury small home that gives you the space you need to comfortably remove yourself from the rush of everyday life.
A day of outdoor activities is easy from your base . Soak up the serenity - or soak away those aches from a day of action - in luxury and under the stars in the huge outdoor stainless steel bath, invitingly warm with gas-heated hot water. Enjoy breakfast in our landscaped gardens, or dinner by the log fire.
Every aspect of Skylark Cabin has been considered to offer a private, unique experience that allows you to make the most of this magical region and the incredible scenery that surrounds you.
We’d love to welcome you to experience Skylark Cabin for yourself.
The Neighborhood:
A region of breathtaking beauty:
Nestled within the world acclaimed Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, Skylark Cabin is located 10-minutes from the South Island township of Twizel, on 4 acres (2 hectares) of peaceful, private land. Here nature takes centre stage, every direction you look.
Framed against a backdrop of the Ben Ohau range, our cabin is perfectly situated to take advantage of all the region has to offer.
A getaway to remember:
If retreat and relaxation is on the agenda, you don’t even need to leave the cabin to experience the magic of the region. The mesmerising, world-renowned Aoraki Mackenzie International Night Sky Reserve will have you captivated as you soak up the serenity of a dazzling starry sky from the comfort of your bed or outdoor bath.
A star-gazers paradise, the gold-rated dark sky reserve is considered the darkest in the world. The remote location of our cabin ensures minimal light pollution for capturing once-in-a-lifetime images and memories of the starry night sky. Visitors from the end of February through to June will witness the spectacular Milky Way core rising from the South East, or right above your head as the year progresses. The best time to photograph the Milky Way is between February and October, with the summer months being shorter nights. Over summer, the full splendor of the Milky Way may not be visible, but billions of stars will still dazzle and impress.
Adventure time:
Action seekers will be equally awed by the opportunities to explore on their doorstep. The area is renowned for its cycle trails, in particular the Alps to Ocean Cycleway (2km from cabin) which winds its way alongside the canal.
Scenic freshwater salmon fishing in the canals is a popular drawcard, or try your hand fly-fishing in the Ahuriri River for trout. It’s also a popular spot for boating, fishing and water skiing over the summer months with five lakes within close proximity of the cabin - Lakes Ohau, Tekapo, Pukaki, Benmore and Ruataniwha.
World-class ski slopes are just an hour’s drive away to Ohau Ski Field, with the season running from approximately the end of June through to the start of October.
A whole region to explore:
For those who wish to explore a little further afield, not-to-be-missed Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is a 58-minute drive away, with incredible photo opportunities and stunning glacier walks, including Hooker Valley and Tasman Valley (visit the Department of Conservation website for more details on weather and safety). Lakes Pukaki and Ohau are only a short distance from Skylark Cabin (8km), with incredible views to soak up. The stunning sight of Lake Tekapo can be reached within a 56-minute drive, while popular resort towns, Queenstown and Wanaka, are also a comfortable distance for day-tripping.
Dining & Amenities
While your cabin is comfortably equipped for your stay, Twizel town has all the amenities you need for necessary supplies, including supermarket, petrol stations, and snow, hunting and fishing supplies. There are plenty of opportunities to indulge in fresh local fare with a variety of local cafes and restaurants. If you haven’t had any luck in the rivers yourself, salmon lovers will enjoy a visit to High Country Salmon or Aoraki Salmon for the experience of freshly caught fish.
Getting Around:
Lots of free parking. Two E-Bikes are available free of charge for guests to use.
The Alps to Ocean (A2O) bike trail goes from Aoraki Mt Cook to Oamaru and you can access it from the cabin, our bikes are perfect for exploring the canal and Lake Ohau section of the trail, or riding into town.
Other Things to Note:
To get the maximum from your stay at Skylark Cabin ......stop, take a breath or two and look up!
The cabin is located within the worlds largest night sky reserve, lie in the bath or bed and look for satellites, shooting stars and just allow yourself to totally relax.
Interaction with Guests:
Your hosts Garry and Liz live offsite but are always available via cellphone if you need anything.
