Central Otago brings back fond memories of my time in New Zealand. I spent a month working in the vineyards scattered across the district.
This gives you a good idea of what to expect if you decide to visit Central Otago: vineyards, wineries, gentle valleys with slopes full of crops, the occasional small lake, the rock-carved town of Cromwell—known as “the fruit bowl of the South”—and a few mountains that add a special touch to the whole picture.
All of this makes Central Otago a perfect place to enjoy peaceful cycling and hiking trails.
The Central Otago district is often considered a world apart within New Zealand. Here, grassy hills dominate the landscape, with wide plains and scattered lakes. It’s a much calmer and more serene nature compared to the wild West Coast, volcanic Rotorua, or the native forests of Whanganui.
It’s also home to the coldest winters and hottest summers in the country, a harsh climate that favors the production of Riesling and Pinot Noir wines. In fact, Central Otago is the southernmost wine-producing region in the world.
Located in the heart of the Otago region, Central Otago was the site of New Zealand’s first gold rush in the mid-19th century. This boom led to the development of many towns that still exist today. The most notable are Alexandra, Roxburgh, Clyde, Ranfurly, and my personal favorite, Cromwell.
The best time to visit is during spring (September, October, and November). During these months, the weather is milder—not as hot as summer and not as cold as winter. Plus, the grasslands and crops begin to bloom, creating a stunning landscape worth seeing.
If you visit in spring, you can also enjoy the Eat Taste Central Festival, a month-long celebration of the region’s fresh and delicious produce. Sample local dishes, attend events, and join in the festivities! 😉
It’s essential to travel to New Zealand with comprehensive insurance. We were among the first to offer the popular IATI discount, and you can now get it with Heymondo Travel Insurance as well.
You can find more information about both companies through the links provided above, or you can access the discount directly using the buttons below (in both cases, you’ll see the reduced final price on their website):
Internet is mandatory for getting around and using metservice, the country’s weather service. Keeping up to date with the weather is necessary if you don’t want to have any problems. It can also be very useful when translating if you don’t understand English very well.
To do this, we will tell you how to get a New Zealand SIM card with the internet and take advantage of its affordable prices. And now we also have information about the New Zealand eSIM with unlimited data.
Unfortunately, there is no airport in the Central Otago district, so if you wish to arrive by plane, you’ll need to fly into Queenstown Airport. But don’t let that discourage you—Central Otago is easily accessible by car or bus. The main destinations within the district are Cromwell and Alexandra.
If you’re driving, the journey from Christchurch to Cromwell takes around five hours, and less than an hour from Queenstown. The roads to Cromwell are straightforward and easy to navigate, making the trip very manageable.
If you’re coming from Dunedin, you’ll reach Alexandra in just 2 hours and 20 minutes. Cromwell and Alexandra are only 30 minutes apart by car.
If you prefer to travel by bus, InterCity offers direct services to Cromwell from Dunedin (3 hours and 30 minutes), Christchurch (7 hours), and Queenstown (1 hour). If Alexandra is your destination, buses from Dunedin take just 2 hours and 50 minutes, and 1 hour and 30 minutes from Queenstown.
As I mentioned, Central Otago is full of wide-open plains, grasslands, valleys, and gentle hills. What better way to explore it all than by bike? The Otago Central Rail Trail is part of New Zealand’s original “Great Ride”—152 kilometers of easy cycling over 3 to 5 days.
The best part? It’s exclusively for cyclists and walkers.
Along the trail, you’ll witness the beauty of Central Otago’s landscape. From a distance, you’ll spot the bare, snow-dusted Southern Alps. You’ll also pass through dramatic river gorges and ancient rock formations carved by time.
Riding through meadows, vineyards, historic viaducts, and stone buildings gives the route a truly timeless feeling.
Near Chatto Creek, you’ll even see fields of vivid purpleViper’s Bugloss—a splash of color that feels like magic.
Hop back on your bike for one of the most visually spectacular rides in New Zealand: the Roxburgh Gorge Trail. This 21-kilometre route takes around 5 hours and runs between Alexandra and Lake Roxburgh.
The trail follows the course of the Mata-Au River, offering postcard-perfect views. Along the way, you’ll discover old mining settlements tucked within the hidden gorge. Lining the path, willows and wild thyme add the finishing touches to an already breathtaking landscape.
If you’ve been following Queenstown on Conmochila, you’ve probably heard about this famous gorge. But here, just 5 minutes from Cromwell, is where the Kawarau River carves out the deepest canyon along its course.
The roar of the water is your first clue to what lies ahead. Park at the Goldfields Mining Centre and walk to the lookout. From there, the thunderous current of the Kawarau River unfolds before you.
You’ll also see Roaring Meg, a fast-moving stream that powers a hydroelectric plant and creates an impressive waterfall spectacle as it plunges into the ravine.
You can even book a tour at the Goldfields Mining Centre to learn more about the gold rush that shaped Central Otago.
Yes, for one reason or another, New Zealanders love big things. So, in Central Otago, you’ll find quirky landmarks like the giant fruit sculpture in Cromwell—and this massive 11-meter clock on a hillside in Alexandra. Built in 1968, it’s the largest working clock in the Southern Hemisphere—and it actually works!
Getting there is simple. Drive up the hill from Alexandra and walk about 10 minutes to reach the clock. Even if the timepiece doesn’t impress you, the panoramic views from the top definitely will.
The gold rush of the 19th century led to dozens of towns springing up overnight. Today, the gold is gone, but the heritage left behind in these settlements still endures. Below, we’ll explore the most important and interesting ones.
Bannockburn is a small town near Cromwell where you can tour the Sluicing Historic Reserve, where miners once washed gravel in search of gold—an activity that left a distinctive mark on the landscape.
The next old mining town is now deserted and has become a ghost town. We’re talking about Saint Bathans. Here, you can visit the man-made Blue Lake, explore Central Otago’s mining history in depth, or stop by The Vulcan Hotel with its unique architecture.
According to legend, the hotel is haunted and a ghost still roams its halls…
The last mining town I loved was Ophir. This tiny village of just 50 residents is home to the oldest post office in New Zealand, along with a collection of charming historic buildings. Don’t miss the beautiful Daniel O’Connell Bridge—perfect for a picnic in the quiet park nearby.
This lake was created after the construction of the Clyde Dam. Its many cliffs offer fantastic views of the gorge. In some spots, you can even jump from the rocks straight into the water for a refreshing swim.
The height isn’t too extreme, but where I jumped there was a bit of a current due to the nearby Clutha River. You can also swim, fish, kayak, or even water-ski in this artificial lake.
You can also follow the Lake Dunstan Trail circuit around the lake and discover hidden spots where you can take a private dip or enjoy a cold beer in peace. Oh, and one more thing—right on the lake’s shore, there’s a campground where you can spend a magical night with stunning views.
“Realfooding” ice creams are a local specialty in Central Otago, especially in Cromwell. It’s no coincidence that the town is known as “The Fruit Bowl of the South.”
Honestly, these are the best ice creams I’ve ever had. They start with a base of yogurt or vanilla ice cream, and you can add up to two fresh fruits that are blended in to create the perfect treat.
My favorite combo? Strawberry and real honeycomb. You can choose from dozens of fresh fruits—mango, kiwi, cherries, blackberries, blueberries… You get the idea, right?
There are plenty of shops throughout Central Otago, but the one I always went to was Freeway Orchard. It’s right across from Lake Dunstan and even has a real beehive with glass walls so you can watch the bees at work.
I mentioned this earlier when talking about Kawarau Gorge, but here’s the full story. The tour begins here and gives you a detailed look at what mining life was like back in the day.
The guide will show you traditional mining tools like the California Sluice Gun and even teach you how to pan for gold yourself—so you can relive the Central Otago gold rush.
A fun way to explore the plains and grasslands of Central Otago is on horseback. This horse trek takes you across rolling high country farmland to a lookout offering spectacular views of Lake Whakatipu.
If you didn’t bring your own bike to New Zealand (which is likely), or you forgot to rent one in advance, this tour lets you ride the Lake Dunstan Cycleway at your own pace. The circuit is recommended for experienced cyclists as parts of the trail run along cliff edges. The service includes minibus pickups from Wanaka, Clyde, and Cromwell—so you don’t have to worry about the return trip after a full day of riding.
Of course, we can’t talk about Central Otago without mentioning wine! This tour takes you to six different wineries where you’ll taste a wide range of wines.
An expert guide will help you discover the subtle aromas and flavours that make Central Otago wines unique, along with the secrets behind their production. The full-day tour includes food, a cheese board, homemade bread… And the best part? You won’t need a designated driver—it includes transportation.
Central Otago is a vast area with no fixed center. So in this section, you’ll find accommodations spread across the district to suit all types of travelers. Let’s dive in:
Cromwell Getaway is a peaceful and one of the most affordable hotels in Central Otago, just a 2-minute walk from the center of Cromwell.
Rooms include private bathrooms and electric blankets for those chilly winter nights. There’s also a barbecue and an outdoor pool for summer guests.
Other great budget options:
If you want to live like a local, Muddy Creek Cutting offers Kiwi-style lodging in a three-bed room with a shared bathroom. It’s a cozy historic home with handmade decorations, a fireplace in the living room, and stoves in every room.
You can enjoy delicious meals made with ingredients from the garden, giving you a taste of Central Otago’s local flavors. It’s located in Launder, about 30 minutes from Alexandra.
Other solid mid-range picks:
The Lord Clyde is a charming historic building converted into a boutique hotel. It offers en suite rooms with original wooden interiors—a real trip back in time. Breakfast is included.
To finish this section, I leave you another noteworthy options:
The best way to get around New Zealand—and especially Central Otago—is by car or campervan. I highly recommend renting a campervan and hitting the road.
New Zealand is extremely camper-friendly, with plenty of campsites, public toilets, showers, and all the facilities you could need. In fact, traveling this way is often the most economical option—despite the upfront cost, you’ll save on hotels and restaurant meals.
As you can see, Central Otago is a quieter region compared to much of New Zealand. It’s a place to relax, enjoy slow travel by bike, explore historic gold mines, and eat realfooding ice cream by Lake Dunstan.
It’s also a perfect detour on your way to Queenstown, especially if you’ve had a few rainy days on the West Coast. You can see most of the highlights in under three days, and just one night in Cromwell is enough to get the full Central Otago experience.
Since it’s a peaceful area, not much preparation is needed. Still, here are a few tips and common-sense recommendations to make the most of your visit:
Click on the image and it will take you to a new Google Maps window with all the points of interest to travel around Central Otago.
