Queenstown might still be the jewel of New Zealand’s tourism crown, but in 2025, a much smaller – and much cheaper – town could quietly steal the spotlight.
With breathtaking alpine views, crystal-clear lakes, growing café culture and accommodation prices up to 75% lower than Queenstown, the town of Twizel in the Mackenzie Basin is becoming the South Island’s next big thing.
And while it doesn’t have the hype (yet), many locals and travellers say it’s only a matter of time.
Same scenery, less chaos
Twizel sits in the shadow of Aoraki/Mount Cook, with panoramic mountain ranges, turquoise canals, and a dark sky reserve that’s turning it into a stargazing hotspot.
It offers:
- Lake Pukaki’s surreal blue waters just minutes away
- Access to alpine hikes without the Queenstown crowds
- Cycle trails, kayaking, fishing, and quiet solitude
- Accommodation for as low as $80–$120/night, compared to Queenstown’s average of $350+
“I stayed in a lakefront bach for a third of what I paid in Queenstown — and didn’t hear a single tour bus all weekend,” says Zara, a visitor from Wellington. “It’s unreal.”
Why 2025 could be Twizel’s breakout year
Twizel has long been a local secret, but several factors are lining up to push it onto the national (and possibly global) radar in 2025:
- Major infrastructure upgrades are underway, including new eco-accommodation, improved cycle routes, and boutique cafés
- The town has been featured in multiple viral TikToks and travel blogs, particularly for those seeking “Queenstown vibes without the cost”
- A new night-sky observatory and aurora viewing platform are set to open in late 2025
- Mackenzie District is actively promoting the area as a sustainable, slow-tourism destination
And with Queenstown now facing tightening rules on Airbnbs and rising fees, budget-conscious travellers are looking elsewhere.
Locals are both excited — and cautious
Not everyone in Twizel is thrilled by the idea of a tourism boom.
“We want to grow smart, not fast,” says Amelia, who runs a local café.
“Queenstown is great, but we don’t want to become that crowded, that expensive, or that noisy.”
There are concerns about housing availability, short-term rental pressure, and preserving the town’s peaceful charm.
Still, interest is climbing — and bookings are starting to reflect it.
Should you go now?
If you want to see Twizel before it hits the mainstream, 2024 might be your last chance.
Because if the current trajectory holds, Twizel could be New Zealand’s best travel bargain — but not for long.
All the scenery, none of the chaos. At a quarter of the price.
What beach is that?