Things to Do in Central Otago
Things to see and do in Central Otago, Central Otago highlights, Central Otago activities and attractions, and points of interest in Central Otago - the ALL NEW Jasons Central Otago Things to Do Guide is your complete guide to sightseeing in Central Otago.
From wine tasting and curling, to goldpanning and mountainbiking, this historic goldmining region has it all. Take your time to explore this serene scenic wonderland.
One of the region's scenic gems is the
Central Otago Rail Trail. This magnificent cycling track links
Clyde with
Middlemarch, passing through rugged mountain ranges, hills and gorges, and
across the vast Maniototo plain. The 150km trail takes three days in full, but if that sounds too strenuous, you can always cycle a small section, and local tour companies will even meet you down the line with a delicious picnic lunch. Travel by road from Middlemarch to
Dunedin or take the
Taieri Gorge Railway.
Wine lovers will enjoy sampling the region's award-winning pinot noir, and several local companies offer tailor-made winery tours. For a truly original wine experience,
The Big Picture in
Cromwell gathers the region's fine wines together under one roof for an interactive wine film and tasting, and a chance to meet the winemakers.
Or take a step back in time at
Goldfields Mining Centre near Cromwell, where Otago's early miners once toiled in search of gold. Located at the heart of the spectacular Kawarau Gorge, the centre is a now historic reserve with many heritage sites. If you're lucky, you may even unearth one of those elusive gold nuggets for yourself. Thrill-seekers can also blast into the past with the
Goldfields Jet – a heart-stopping jetboat ride on the mighty Kawarau river.
At the historic goldmining town of
Naseby, in the heart of the Maniototo, you can try your hand at
curling – an ancient Scottish sport played with smooth 20kg granite stones that's guaranteed to provide entertainment as well as education. There are plenty of other activities in the wider region – fish for salmon in the Clutha River, enjoy some cross-country skiing, visit one of the galleries or gardens, practise your swing over a round of golf, explore some of
Alexandra's superb mountainbike trails with
Altitude Adventures or enjoy one of the region's many picturesque short walks.
Check out
- Golden Gate Lodge, located near Lake Dunstan.
This luxury centre has 47 units complete with restaurants, bars and conference centre, and you can practice
your swing on the 18-hole Cromwell Golf course next door.
- Goldfields Jet, Cromwell
- Wooing Tree Vineyard, Cromwell
- Altitude Adventures, AlexandraVisitor Information
- Tourism Central Otago is located in the William Fraser Building, 1 Dunorling Street, Alexandra. Visit www.centralotagonz.com
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