When visiting the Central Otago region make sure you don't miss these things to do.

Central Otago
Otago Central Rail Trail, Central Otago

By Real Kiwi Adventures

Cycle part of the Otago Central Rail Trail as part of your tour in Central Otago, South Island

Experience contrasting seasons in Alexandra

Situated at the junction of two rivers, Alexandra is surrounded by a distinctive 'moonscape' of rocky tors and stark high country. Enjoy the modern facilities of Alexandra, but remember its gold mining past is never far from the surface.

  • Walk up to the clock on the hill - at 11 meters wide it is one of the largest in the world.
  • In summer, visit a local fruit orchard - apricots and cherries are the region's specialty.
  • In winter, go ice skating or try your hand at curling at the local outdoor ice rink. 
  • Cycle the Otago Central Rail Trail or any one of the incredible trails on offer.
  • See displays on gold mining, farming, viticulture and horticulture history at Central Stories Museum.
  • Find your way to Shaky Bridge, and the town's original stone piers - relics of the gold mining days.
  • Enjoy wine tasting at picturesque vineyards - Pinot Noir is the local specialty. 
  • Hit the hill trails on foot or on a mountain bike.

 

Central Otago
Cromwell, Central Otago

By Gouldy99

Cromwell stands on the shore of Lake Dunstan

Time for a family adventure? Discover Cromwell

Nestled on the shores of Lake Dunstan, Cromwell is the place to experience an abundance of sun-ripened fruits, award winning wines and a rich mining past.

  • Visit one of the many cellar doors in the Cromwell Basin - there is magic in sipping a wine in the place where it was made.
  • Check out the farmers market at Cromwell Heritage Precinct every Sunday over the summer
  • Have a real fruit ice-cream at one of the local orchards
  • Pack a picnic and relax on the shores of Lake Dunstan - an idyllic location for swimming, fishing, boating and watersports.
  • Have your picture taken in front of the BIG fruit sculpture.
  • Visit Cromwell Heritage Precinct for the finest of local arts.
  • Take a cycle trail into Bannockburn or around the lake.
Christchurch - Canterbury
p-0756BBAB-AE95-CAE7-BF6862D7549960AE-2544003.jpg, Christchurch - Canterbury

By PureTrails NZ

Cycling the Roxburgh Gorge Trail

Roxburgh - a patchwork of colour

Set in the Teviot Valley amongst farmland, orchards and roadside stalls laden with the best of summer fruits in Roxburgh.

  • Lake Roxburgh is a great venue for kayaking, boating, water skiing or just plain sailing.
  • There are mountain biking routes and treks around the valley - contact the Lake Roxburgh Lodge for bike hire.
  • Buy fresh succulent fruit at one of the many roadside stalls over summer and early autumn - it's where the locals go!
  • Try a pie from Jimmy's Pie Cafe - world famous in New Zealand for over 40 years!
  • Pinders Pond is a favourite local swimming and picnic spot in summer.
  • Indulge in a hokey pokey ice cream from the Ettrick Store - famous for its starring role in an advertisement with a monkey.
  • Every Friday lunchtime listen to the lone bagpiper outside the Highland Pharmacy.
  • The street names in Roxburgh are almost all named after Scottish borders - try to find an exception!
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Where to next?

Towns in Central Otago

Dunedin

Lake Wānaka

Fiordland