Queenstown to Dunedin via Central Otago route planner

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Autumn loves Central Otago Enjoying great outdoor pursuits in Queenstown Explore the region on the many walking trails The Gibbston Valley, famous for growing Pinot Noir

By David Wall By Destination Queenstown By Destination Queenstown By Destination Queenstown

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Keen to discover some serene New Zealand backcountry ... then, head on out to Central Otago – a region of rich cultural heritage and stunning scenery.

If you're starting your journey here it can be hard to leave! With mountain peaks as far as the eye can see, shimmering lakes, and crisp alpine air, Queenstown is quite simply a place of pure inspiration. Whether you have an appetite for adventure and the mountains or are more at home tracking down a delicious meal and fine wine, the region provides the perfect mix of action and relaxation for an unforgettable holiday.

Having experienced all the thrills of the adventure capital, it’s time to take your leave of Queenstown and head for back country charms. 

Follow the mighty Kawarau and Clutha rivers into the barren thyme and schist covered hills of the Alexandra basin. Less than an hour from town, you’ll be surrounded by the vineyards of Cromwell and Bannockburn. Brisk cold winters and hot dry summers have helped create the unique Central Otago terrain which produces internationally-acclaimed pinot noir wines. 

Many local wineries have tasting rooms and restaurants and, if you visit in summer, you’ll also experience the sweet aromas of ripening fruit in the orchards and roadside stalls, or the lingering perfume of thyme flowering on the hillsides. 

As you pass through Alexandra, and take in the rocky landscape pierced by mountains, river and tussocks, you may also spot the clock on the hillside above town. You can walk to the top of the rocky hill face – no more than 30 minutes return – where the 11-metre clock keeps a timely eye on the locals.

Driving on through the little settlements along the road, you’ll be reminded of another time – a golden era when men seeking their fortune crowded these wild mountain valleys. In the late 1860s, when the Otago gold rush was in full swing, gold miners from Europe, China and Australia flooded into this land.

You’ll hear old gold mining tales in Cromwell, Clyde or further along the road in Lawrence where little cafés and craft shops line the main street.  At Gabriel’s Gully, 3km from Lawrence, you can visit the old mine site and try panning for a piece of Central Otago gold. 

Carry on down the valley where the emerald green Clutha River flows, and get ready to swap the thyme studded hills for coastal views on the way to Dunedin.

Dunedin - the “Edinburgh of the South” - is a heritage city with a youthful vibe. This university town is filled with many grand examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture, including New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle. Just out of town, the Otago Peninsula, is a natural haven for rare coastal wildlife like penguins, albatross, seals and sea lions.

By now, having tasted all this region has to offer – from wine and food, to heritage, nature and landscape – you’ll be full of precious memories and experiences to share with those back home, and already looking for an excuse to come back.  Bon Voyage!