Central Otago Regional Information

Central Otago | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History

Once the scene of a mighty gold rush, the dramatic Otago region is now appreciated for its powerful, moody landscape. Learn the history of Central Otago while you find its special places.

Central Otago Overview

Otago, New Zealand

Located in the centre of the South Island, inland from Dunedin, the beautiful Central Otago region comprises a series of river basins and deep river gorges.

Central Otago is the only region in New Zealand to experience a near continental climate, having the hottest summers and coldest winters in New Zealand. Old trails that provided access for thousands of miners in the gold rush of the 1860s can still be seen winding over the hills, along with stone cottages, cleverly engineered water channels, mines and machinery associated with the gold rush.

The towns of Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell, Roxburgh and Ranfurly are ideal bases for explorations of the surrounding historical countryside. Alexandra, the main town on the Clutha River, is the centre for stone fruit, particularly golden apricots.

Hydro electric dams along the Clutha River have formed Lake Roxburgh and Lake Dunstan. These now offer a range of recreational opportunities, from power boating and fishing to windsurfing and sailing.

A popular holiday destination, there are lots of options for accommodation in Central Otago. A kiwi favourite is bed and breakfast accommodation where you generally stay in your hosts own home and breakfast is included in the tariff. You'll find accommodation of every kind in Central Otago, whether you are looking for campsites and holiday parks, self catering motels or self contained holiday homes.

Central Otago is especially popular for the Otago Central Rail Trail - a 150-kilometre cycle track that stretches between Clyde and Middlemarch. Voted New Zealand's favourite place to ride, if you are planning on cycling the Otago Central Rail Trail then you can find rail trail accommodation which generally offers safe bike storage space and caters for single travellers along with groups or families.

Send an Otago related E-Postcard to your friends.

Central Otago Highlights

Wine has become one of Central Otago's newest claims to fame. Many of the wineries offer tastings throughout the summer months. A wine tour of Central Otago is a fun and tasty way to see this beautiful region, along with learning how the grapes are grown through to tasting the delicious range of wines.

Central Otago can also offer you the thrill of mountain biking through remote tussock and the leisurely pleasure of a stroll through wild mountain flowers. Arts, crafts and fine regional food are other reasons to come. And then there's the jet boating, gold panning and ice skating on a clear winter's day.

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Lake Dunstan, Cromwell, Central Otago, New Zealand

Lake Dunstan, Cromwell
Central Otago
Photographer: Hiroshi Nameda
(hnamechan@hotmail.com)

Central Otago is as much a place in people's hearts as a region outlined on a map. It's a special place. A place of holidays. A place touched by golden history. A place where nature's most powerful elements combine to create a unique and enchanting environment.

Main Centres in Central Otago

Alexandra - known for its fruit orchards
Cromwell - by the shores of Lake Dunstan
Ranfurly - in the heart of the Maniototo a village with a rich art deco architecture
Roxburgh - service town for the fruit growing region of the Teviot Valley