Experience true solitude and get close to nature in an inspiring and timeless land, a place where fascinating cultural history tells a story of human endurance in a ruggedly beautiful landscape.
Central Otago, incorporating Alexandra and Clyde, Cromwell, Ranfurly and Roxburgh, is New Zealand’s most inland region. It is also the hottest, coldest and driest. A fragmented schist plateau in a semi-desert environment, Central Otago is a living museum, scattered with historic features preserved by a dry climate. This rugged and peaceful place has barely changed over centuries. First-time visitors are silenced and energised by the tumble of mountain, river, rock and tussock assembled in a breathtaking vista. Central Otago’s clear light seems to bring mountains within arm’s reach and produces a star-studded night sky.
Central Otago, affectionately known as ‘Central’, covers 10,000km² yet has fewer than 17,000 permanent residents. This is a place where visitors can leave the stresses of work behind and just relax, soak in the atmosphere and let the rejuvenation process begin. Most visitors never want to leave, taking away treasured memories and a desire to return.
Visitors can set the tempo of their activity in Central Otago. Hit the hills in search of historic sites, bike the Otago Central Rail Trail, taste award-winning wines in amazing locations, play a round of golf at any one of the 11 regional golf courses, experience a 4WD adventure, kayak down rivers, try the ancient winter ice sport of curling, or just relax, indulge and rejuvenate in an unforgettable environment.
Download the Dunedin & Otago section from New Zealand Trade Manual 2012
Dunedin & Otago (from New Zealand Trade Manual 2012) (7)
Regional Highlights
Unforgettable Sights
Jackson’s Lookout Views over the waters of Lake Dunstan at the original site of Cromwell Town. Seasonal colour Wildflowers in spring and the stunning tones of autumn are a feature of this region. Maniototo Plain Natural light reflects off the velvet folds of magnificent mountains onto valleys, rocky tors and sprawling plains. Manuherikia Valley Rolls gently across green and gold highlands to a horizon filled with towering mountains.
Adrenaline Rush
Mountain biking Experience the freedom of getting off the beaten track and exploring historic sites by mountain bike. The Central Otago Rail Trail is a must-do for keen cyclists. Cross-country snow skiing This is a very different way to enjoy snow skiing. High country 4WD adventure Explore the rugged Central Otago landscape on a four-wheel-drive tour. Snowmobiling Join a guided adventure tour by snowmobile around a winter wilderness. Water sports Enjoy kayaking, jet boating, sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing and wakeboarding on Lake Dunstan and Lake Roxburgh during the summer months.
Relax & Indulge
Curling Grace the ice in an authentic, age-old, Scottish sporting tradition. Fishing The lakes offer an abundance of trout and the Clutha River boasts salmon fishing. Orchard tours Sun-ripened apricots, nectarines, cherries, apples and peaches have earned Cromwell a reputation as the ‘fruit bowl of the south’. Wine tasting Take the Cromwell and Bannockburn Wine Trail or follow the Clyde and Alexandra Wine Trails to vineyards and winery cafes. Art and handicrafts Galleries and craft shops reveal the talents of local artists and offer the opportunity to take home a true piece of Central Otago.
Luxury
Rocky Range Bed & Breakfast French Provincial-style lodge set on 100 acres of wild thyme and rock formations, Rocky Range offers luxury and privacy in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. www.rockyrange.co.nz
Culture
Retrace the gold rush Through significant collections at the Alexandra and Cromwell Museums, along the Goldfields Heritage Trail and on Alexandra and Clyde historic sites self-tours.
Natural New Zealand
Otago Central Rail Trail Walk, cycle or horse ride past the wide-open farmland, spectacular gorges and magnificent mountains of Central Otago.
On a Budget
Old Cromwell Town Overlooking Lake Dunstan, the old buildings and stables of Old Cromwell Historic Precinct are today alive with artists at work – wander and watch, or enjoy the view over coffee.
The Iconic Experience
Mountain biking the Otago Central Rail Trail Unique in New Zealand, this 150 km trail takes visitors off the road and deep into the Central Otago landscape.
Dining & Shopping
Exclusive DDining
Taste Naseby (Naseby) Specialising in cuisine that captures the spirit of New Zealand using quality products. www.tastenaseby.com
Casual Dining
The Packing Shed Gallery & Café (Alexandra) Delicious artistically presented fresh food with regional and international wines, phone +64 3 449 2757.
Café
Shakey Bridge Vineyard Café (Alexandra) Across the historic suspension walking bridge and under the big clock on the hill is this café, bar and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. www.williamhill.co.nz/cafe.html
Stylish Bar
Feast (Cromwell) Relax in the ambience of a bar created with the schist rock of Central Otago and offering a menu of local wines and food, phone +64 3 445 3020.
Cosy Pub
The Royal Hotel (Naseby) The historic Goldfields Coaching Inn (1863) is full of character. www.naseby.co.nz
Culinary Experience
Wooing Tree Vineyard (Cromwell) Award-winning vineyard specialising in Pinot Noir, Rosé, Blondie and Chardonnay. www.wooingtree.co.nz
Shop or Gallery
The Extraordinary Art of Alan Waters (Cromwell) Highly stylised, stunning abstract and contemporary works by an internationally recognised artist. www.alanwatersart.co.nz
Suggested Itineraries
3 days Central Otago wine, food and history
Day 1 Wineries, Old Cromwell Town
Day 2 Gold mining history, outdoor adventure
Day 3 Alexandra - Maniototo - Ranfurly
On Day 1, visit Cromwell and Bannockburn wineries on a personally guided tour before visiting Old Cromwell Town Historic Precinct. Spend Day 2 panning for gold at Carrick and Bendigo goldfields or jet boat through the region, before relaxing beside Lake Dunstan. On Day 3, travel to Alexandra and Ranfurly, joining a Clutha River Cruise into the Roxburgh Gorge, or visit locations where The Lord of the Rings was filmed. Finish in Ranfurly and relax in a rural Art Deco oasis.
5 days Otago Central Rail Trail
Day 1 Clyde to Omakau
Day 2 Omakau to Wedderburn or Ranfurly
Day 3-4 Rest days in Naseby area
Day 5 Ranfurly/Naseby to Middlemarch
On Day 1, cycle through semi-flat landscape of orchids & vineyards, across the Manuherikia River. Spend Day 2 cycling through spectacular scenery; through tunnels, past the Poolburn Gorge, over the Poolburn Viaduct and to the Hayes Engineering Works. Enjoy Days 3-4 relaxing around Naseby on a 4WD trip into the high country or visit the nearby gold mining towns. Try curling at Maniototo Curling International before heading to the rural Art Deco town of Ranfurly. On Day 5, continue on the Rail Trail through the upper Taieri Gorge to the wide spaces of the Strath Taieri Plain before reaching Middlemarch, the end of the trail.
Road Trip
Cromwell to Dunedin via the Maniototo Drive through a vast landscape where remnants of a prosperous gold mining past show in scarred hillsides, mudbrick buildings and old stone fences.
Transport
Airports
Christchurch is the nearest major international airport, with Queenstown and Dunedin also taking international flights direct from Australia. Queenstown and Wanaka airports are approximately 40 minutes’ drive from Cromwell and one hour’s drive from Alexandra. Dunedin Airport is about two hours, 30 minutes’ drive from Alexandra.
Roads
The region is readily accessible by main highways from Christchurch (six hours, 40 minutes’ drive), Dunedin (two hours, 45 minutes’ drive), Invercargill (three hours’ drive) and Queenstown (approximately one hour). Several coach companies provide scheduled services to the main centres.
Further Information
Tourism Central Otago
1 Dunorling Street, PO Box 353, Alexandra
Phone +64 3 440 0637 Fax +64 3 440 0606
Email [email protected]
www.centralotagonz.com
