High Country Cabin, Twizel, New Zealand South Island
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, 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, and the cabin is equipped with everything you’ll need for a short stay: scrabble and charades to keep you entertained, 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, and 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, especially up towards Mount Cook/Aoraki, New Zealand’s tallest mountain, where 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 there
You can reach High Country Cabin from either Queenstown or Christchurch. The former will take you through the dramatic Lindis Pass, where the rolling golden-coloured mountains have to be seen to be believed, whereas the latter will take you past the beautiful lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. The nearest town to the cabin is Twizel, where you can stock up 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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High Country Cabin looks like an amazing place to spend a few days. I love the modern, rustic decor! It must be such a nice escape without wifi, cell signal or cable – so needed sometimes!
Oh my gosh, this cabin truly does look dreamy. What a perfect place to just escape and relax. I love the idea of spending an evening here playing scrabble and drinking wine!
Oh to be in this cabin instead of doing college homework…. It looks like the cutest and coziest thing ever
There are so many reasons why we want to visit New Zealand. I can certainly understand why you might want to head out into the wild and find a great cabin nestled in the mountains. Great to know that the High Country Cabin has everything you need to let you stay and enjoy the peace.
Oh, what a lovely cabin. Looks like a perfect getaway for a weekend! Just be in the cabin and wander around it would indeed be perfect.