Snapshot
- Central Otago is the only region in New Zealand to experience a 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 from which to explore the surrounding historic countryside. To see more click here
- Hydroelectric dams along the Clutha River have formed Lake Roxburgh and Lake Dunstan. These now offer a range of recreational opportunities of their own, from power boating and fishing to wind surfing and sailing
Wine has become one of central Otago’s newest industries, with many of the boutique wineries offering tastings throughout the summer months.
Key Centres
- Alexandra, known for its fruit orchards and Blossom Festival
- Cromwell, by the shores of Lake Dunstan
- Ranfurly, in the heart of the Maniototo area, a village with Art Deco architecture
- Roxburgh, service town for the fruit-growing region of the Teviot Valley
Climate
Mean daily temperatures - degrees Centigrade/Fahrenheit
Queenstown:
| HIGH |
LOW |
|
HIGH |
LOW |
|
HIGH |
LOW |
|
HIGH |
LOW |
Summer
(Dec-Feb) |
|
Autumn
(Mar-May) |
|
Winter
(Jun-Aug) |
|
Spring
(Sep-Nov) |
| 23/73 |
9/48 |
|
17/63 |
6/43 |
|
9/48 |
1/34 |
|
18/64 |
5/41 |
|
| 
| 