Twizel is a great destination to visit for both holidaymakers and locals. Its lively vibe and alpine beauty make it an ideal place for people to have a good time.

One of the best places to drink in Twizel is Ministry of Works Bar & Eatery. This is a social meeting place with a great selection of craft beers and New Zealand wines.

1. High Country Lodge & Backpackers

Located in the heart of Twizel, High Country Lodge & Backpackers offers unique accommodation and a variety of facilities for guests. This motel has free onsite parking and features a guest lounge, shared kitchen, and communal terrace. It also provides a variety of room options, including private rooms, dormitories and self-contained suites.

The property is a 1 minute drive from Cafe In Twizel and 7 minutes from Lake Ruataniwha. Additional amenities at the hotel include a microwave in a common area, luggage storage, and laundry facilities.

There is a 24-hour front desk at the property. The front desk can help guests arrange activities and excursions, as well as provide information on local dining options. The hotel also offers a business center and meeting facilities.

Other facilities at the property include a bar. Those visiting Twizel on business will appreciate the property’s location near Richard Pearse Airport.

The staff at High Country Lodge & Backpackers are helpful and friendly. They offer a tour desk and bicycle rental to explore the area. They are also very close to the Top Hut 'Pub', supermarket, library and public swimming pool. The hotel is old and needs some updating but it's a nice place to stay for a short time in Twizel. Book early though because rooms are booked out quite quickly here. Hopefully they will have some better rooms available in the future.

2. Lake Ruataniwha Holiday Park

Situated on the waterfront of Lake Ruataniwha, and only Bar Twizel from Twizel’s main drag, this is the largest holiday park in town. Offering a wide selection of powered and non-powered sites, cabins with shared facilities, luxury motel units and 2 fully self-contained lodges, there’s something for everyone.

With a great customer service and a fun-filled amenity block, this is one of the best family friendly parks in town. Featuring Wi-Fi throughout the property, there are 60 rooms on offer, including a studio suite that comes with a handy kitchenette with a microwave, oven and fridge.

The site also has a plethora of fun and games like a mini golf course, a free parking lot and a picnic area.

A large number of activities can be enjoyed in the surrounding area, such as fishing, canoeing, biking, horse riding, gliding and skiing. The most interesting feature of the site is a tour of the lake on the park’s paddle wheeler which offers a truly unforgettable experience.

In short, this is the best place to stay for anyone looking to sample some of Twizel’s finer things. The lake has several amenity blocks, a boathouse with a view and a fun water slide.

3. Twizel Bookshop & Hydro Cafe

A quaint hole in the wall, Hydro Cafe is a must stop in Twizel for good coffee and a tasty slice of cake. It serves Switch Espresso coffee and Christchurch based food made from scratch on site.

They have an impressive selection of breakfast and lunch dishes, as well as cakes, muffins and quiches. They also make great latte, smoothies and milk drinks.

The staff at Hydro Cafe are a real pleasure to deal with. They are competent and friendly, and they go out of their way to ensure you have a good experience.

Twizel has five lakes within a close drive, including Pukaki and Ruataniwha, which are perfect for boating, fishing and swimming. It's also a popular destination for stargazing, thanks to its status as part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.

There's also a number of cycle trails in the area, including the popular Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. The town is also a 45-minute drive from Aoraki/Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo, making it the perfect base for exploring.

It's a popular stop for locals and visitors alike. Their menu includes a range of cabinet foods brewed with Switch Espresso beans, as well as hot and cold breakfasts, packed lunches, veggie, vegan and gluten-free options.

They've got a small bookshop attached to the cafe, too. The shop is run by Renee Rowland, a passionate reader who opened the tiny 12 square-metre shop last year with an even mix of new and second-hand books.

The bookshop is a must-stop on your visit to Twizel, and the cafe offers an excellent selection of coffee and baked goods. The staff are super-friendly and helpful, and the cafe is a fun place to hang out and read a book while sipping on your coffee or smoothie.

4. Mow Bar

Located in the heart of Twizel's main street, this quaint pub is a great place to wind down after a long day hiking the high country. They have a fine selection of craft beers and New Zealand wines, along with some very impressive menu items. Their customer service is second to none, and the beer garden is a sight for sore eyes in the colder months.

They also have a plethora of other beverage options and have one of the largest wine lists in town. A 250m2 building incorporating bar, restaurant seating for up to 120, commercial kitchen and walk in refrigeration. This is an opportunity to own a thriving business, in one of New Zealand's most desirable alpine destinations.

The best part is it's on the market and being offered for sale by one of the leading kiwi property experts. You'll be the proud owner of a well run, low maintenance and very profitable hospitality business. You'll also be able to bask in the splendour of this spectacular region and enjoy the alpine lifestyle for years to come.

5. Resurrection Distillery

This new micro distillery & tasting lounge, which opened in soft mode a few weeks ago, is about to become a serious draw for the cool cocktail kids in town. Owner Brian Grant has over 20 years of bartending experience at spots like Pourhouse, and is bringing his passion for craft cocktails to this space in East Van.

They will be producing and distributing their spirits in a 3,700 square foot space with an upper area that will eventually be used for private parties and events. Resurrection will also be using local ingredients to make their gin and whiskey. The emphasis will be on liquor made from 100% BC rye grain, and Resurrection plans to use locally grown Okanagan fruit in some of their products in the future.

Their Pale Rye is a small batch spirit that’s aged in 20L barrels (or “Quarter Casks”), which are smaller than American standard oak barrels for whiskies. It’s a great choice for those who prefer more of a “whisky” style spirit with plenty of flavour and character. It’s really great on its own, but also tastes pretty nice in a Manhattan with tonic.

The bar staff here are very friendly and helpful, and they have a pretty decent selection of drinks for a small bar. However, their cocktails are on the expensive side, and I would have liked to see a bit more on their menu. But they’re definitely worth a visit. The location is also pretty good, with a nice patio to enjoy your drink.