Nestled within the breathtaking Mackenzie Country in New Zealand’s South Island, Kowhai Cottages offers two private handcrafted wooden cottages tucked beneath some of New Zealand’s darkest skies. Located in Twizel, in the heart of the High Country and roughly 2.5 hours from Queenstown and 3.5 hours from Christchurch, these cottages provide a peaceful base to unwind and immerse yourself in the unique natural beauty of the region.
Surrounded by vast mountain landscapes, quiet countryside and the world-renowned Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, Kowhai Cottages is the kind of destination where the pace of life instantly softens. Spend your days exploring turquoise lakes, alpine scenery and scenic backcountry roads before returning to your cosy cottage beneath the stars.
As night falls, soak in the outdoor bath while gazing up at the crystal-clear night sky, or watch the Milky Way drift overhead through the skylight above the master bedroom. Warm, inviting and thoughtfully designed to reflect the beauty of the Mackenzie landscape in every season, Kowhai Cottages offers a slower, more restorative side of the South Island, one where quiet mornings, crisp mountain air and star-filled skies become part of the experience.
Designed as spaces to breathe deeply, reconnect, and fully embrace the quiet beauty of the Mackenzie Country, Kowhai Cottages invites guests to settle into a gentler pace of life. Whether visiting for snowy winter landscapes, spring wildflowers, summer lake days or golden autumn light, the experience is centred around comfort, nature and connection.
Kowhai Cottages is a family-run escape brought to life by Sean, a builder with decades of experience crafting some of New Zealand’s most impressive backcountry lodges, and Jana, a geographer and health and wellness coach passionate about designing spaces that feel restorative and calming. The property features two private handcrafted wooden cottages, each offering the same thoughtful core features including stargazing windows, outdoor baths and warm, cosy interiors, with slight differences in layout and space.
Every detail at Kowhai Cottages has been thoughtfully crafted to create a warm and deeply restorative space. Unique timber craftsmanship features throughout both cottages, complemented by wool and other natural building materials that reflect the colours and textures of the surrounding landscape.
Underfloor heating in the bathroom keeps things cosy during the colder months, while thoughtfully designed spaces inside and out invite guests to curl up with a book, enjoy a glass of wine or simply take in the quiet beauty of the High Country. Spend your days exploring Twizel, Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, before returning to your cottage to prepare a meal in the fully equipped kitchen, settle in for a movie night or soak beneath the stars in the outdoor bath.
One of the true highlights of staying at Kowhai Cottages is the outdoor bath experience. Surrounded by native plants and the scent of pine trees, the handcrafted stainless steel and cedar baths offer the perfect place to relax after a day exploring the Mackenzie Country.
As the evening light fades and the stars begin to appear, soak beneath the dark Mackenzie skies or simply take in the quiet stillness of nature in complete privacy. Made in Wānaka and thoughtfully insulated and frost-protected, the baths create a memorable experience in every season, especially during winter, when crisp mountain air and clear night skies make an evening soak feel particularly magical.
Set within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, stargazing naturally becomes part of the experience at Kowhai Cottages. Beneath some of the clearest and darkest skies in the world, this is true dark sky country worth travelling for.
Fall asleep beneath the stars with the large skylight positioned directly above the master bed, watching the Milky Way drift overhead before waking to soft morning light filtering through the surrounding trees. Outside, the outdoor bath nestled amongst native plantings offers another unforgettable place to take in the Mackenzie night skies and experience the magic of the High Country after dark.
On the edge of Twizel, tucked amongst native flora and pine trees, Kowhai Cottages offers a peaceful escape into the heart of the Mackenzie High Country. Dreamed up and handcrafted by a local family, these thoughtfully designed cottages celebrate the beauty of natural, sustainable materials, blending modern comfort with timeless craftsmanship and a deep connection to the surrounding landscape.
Exceptionally warm and welcoming year-round thanks to excellent insulation and multiple heating options, the cottages are especially inviting during the crisp beauty of a Mackenzie winter. Spend slow mornings curled up on the window seat with a book, watching the morning light filter through the trees, or simply settle into the gentler rhythm of life that makes this place feel so special.
As night falls, the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve comes to life overhead, with unforgettable stargazing from the skylight above the bed or the handcrafted outdoor bath. From the peaceful setting to the carefully considered details throughout, Kowhai Cottages offers a memorable High Country escape beneath some of New Zealand’s darkest skies.
This article was created in paid partnership with Kowhai Cottages.
