THE SKYBED
The accommodation
Your SkyBed nestles within native scrub and tussocks in a private location. With the unit recessed into the ground, you feel part of the environment, whilst also having shelter and privacy. The bed rests at ground level, so you are, in terms of perspective, lying on the ground viewing the stars.
This unique building comprises a glass-roofed bedroom, as well as a grass roofed kitchenette and bathroom.
Outside, in a sunken courtyard, you can relax in a 2m long stainless steel-cedar bathtub. No chemicals are added – just pure fresh water – sourced from a nearby spring.
New SkyScape Units Open
We are excited to announce we have opened two new SkyScape units.
These two new buildings are the same in design as our current building, with just a couple of small adaptations to improve thermal performance. Each building is located on it’s own and in such a way that you cannot see one building from the other. Their private and secluded location provides you with the feeling of being alone in the vast Mackenzie Country. Each SkyScape unit is fitted with blinds for added privacy.
AMENITIES
Only 12km from Twizel
Optional evening meal on request
King Bed
Snuggle under a feather duvet with natural fibres to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.
100% pure water
Sourced from a spring under the Ben Ohau Range
Air Conditioning
Only 12km from Twizel
Continental Breakfast included
Luxury cedar outdoor bath tub
Relax with a glass of wine and be overwhelmed with the darkness of our sky and the clarity of the stars and Milky Way.
Sleeps a maximum of 2
Please note that all guests must be over the age of 16 years.
Free wifi
Cuisine
A gourmet continental breakfast is provided which can be prepared in the kitchenette. This includes a selection of Muesli, Yoghurt, Fresh Fruit, Croissants, Local Jam, Juice, Tea and Coffee
An evening dinner platter or salad is available on request.
- Option One- Antipasto Platter for 2. Local cheeses, local smoked salmon, cured meats, chutney, fresh vegetable sticks, fresh bread and crackers.
- Option Two – The Ultimate Salad for 2. Leafy salad greens, local feta cheese, local smoked salmon, pickled beetroot, cherry tomatoes, orange segments, sweet lemon dressing and fresh bread.
Book your stay in a Skybed today.
DESIGN FEATURES
Outdoor courtyard
Recessed into the ground
So that your bed is at ground level, as if you are sleeping in the tussocks.
Stone wall
Rock sourced from the next door paddock!
Native planting
To help blend the building into the environment
Only 12km from Twizel
Continental Breakfast included
Luxury cedar outdoor bath tub
Relax with a glass of wine and be overwhelmed with the darkness of our sky and the clarity of the stars and Milky Way.
Sleeps a maximum of 2
Please note that all guests must be over the age of 16 years.
Wow, amazing! What a lovely idea brought to reality. This place is perfect for any day of the year. We enjoyed the big view, the full moon, stars traveling across the sky, low fog in the morning thickening with the first sun, then fog drifted up from below to envelope us as we left. Well done, guys!
Mark and Phillipa Houston, New Zealand
OUR ENVIRONMENT
Temperature control
Concrete mass, ventilation, extraction fans, roof blinds and an air conditioning unit all help keep the SkyBed cool in summer. Central heating keeps you warm during the cooler months.
Weather
Summers are usually very hot and winters cold, often with a frost in the early morning followed by a clear sunny day. Being so close to the Southern Alps means our weather is very changeable and often we have four seasons in one day – so come prepared for all eventualities!
Off-Grid
Here at SkyScape we are completely off-grid, using solar, gas and a back- up generator for those cloudy days, so we ask you to please conserve energy where possible.
Access tracks
A dirt road leads to your SkyScape accommodation, traversable by standard 2WD vehicles.
Water
The spring water, sourced from deep under the Ben Ohau Range, is as pure as it gets and free from contaminants. No chlorine is added, just 100% pure NZ water.
Landscape
All planting around the unit is native to the area to help the SkyBed blend into the environment.
Architecture
This building is the creation of New Zealand designer, Ian Perry. The shape of the building, chosen to reflect the angles of the mountain peaks around, is recessed into the ground to allow guests to feel part of the landscape.
Aoraki International Dark Sky Reserve
Twizel is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. This area of sky is protected from light pollution by local bylaws, with tight controls on outdoor lighting. This means that the stars you see in Twizel, Tekapo or Mt Cook are some of the clearest in the world.