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    Central Otago

    New Zealand

    Central Otago

    Wine Region

    Central Otago is the dry highland in the South Island's interior, between Cromwell, Alexandra, and Clyde. Rugged schist hills, orchards, and vineyards shape the landscape, with gold rush traces dotting almost every valley.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. New Zealand
    7. Otago
    9. Central Otago
    Central Otago is the dry highland in the South Island's interior, between Cromwell, Alexandra, and Clyde. Rugged schist hills, orchards, and vineyards shape the landscape, with gold rush traces dotting almost every valley.

    Sehenswürdigkeiten

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    The Bruce Jackson Lookout

    1The Bruce Jackson Lookout

    Viewpoint above Cromwell overlooking Lake Dunstan, the confluence of Kawarau and Clutha, and the surrounding vineyards.
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    Highlands Motorsport Park

    2Highlands Motorsport Park

    The racetrack on the outskirts of Cromwell offers a go-kart track, race car passenger rides, and a museum with sports cars. A destination especially for motorsport fans and families on rainy days.
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    Misha's Vineyard Tasting Room

    3Misha's Vineyard Tasting Room

    Tasting room of a Bendigo winery on State Highway 8B, where you can sample Pinot Noir and white wines from Central Otago.
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    Cromwell Heritage Precinct

    4Cromwell Heritage Precinct

    When the Clyde Dam dammed Lake Dunstan in the early 1990s, a part of old Cromwell was submerged. Historic gold rush era buildings were rebuilt on the new shoreline and now house shops, cafés, and galleries.
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    Quartz Reef Point

    5Quartz Reef Point

    On the east bank of Lake Dunstan, ruins, adits, and info boards commemorate 19th-century quartz gold mining. A short circular walk leads across the site.
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    Essen & Trinken

    1

    The Brae, Tastings & Taps

    Tasting room and bar on the shore of Lake Dunstan, with regional wines and beers, plus small bites.
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    2

    The Stoaker Room Cromwell

    Winery restaurant on State Highway 8B, with wood-fired and grilled dishes paired with Central Otago wines.
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    3

    Sera Amano

    Italian restaurant in the Cromwell Mall with homemade pasta and regional wines.
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    4

    Wooing Tree Cellar Door & Kitchen

    Cromwell-edge winery with tasting room and kitchen. Enjoy platters and small dishes with their wines, in summer on the terrace among the vines.
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    5

    The Kitchen Cromwell

    Cafe in Cromwell for breakfast, coffee, and lunch, convenient as a stop on the drive between Queenstown and Wanaka.
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    Gold, Fruit and Wine

    Gold, Fruit and WineThe 1860s gold rush brought thousands to Clutha and Kawarau gorges. As finds diminished, settlers planted fruit trees; the continental climate with hot summers and cold winters made the area a stone fruit hub. Larger-scale viticulture only began in the 1980s; today Central Otago is known for Pinot Noir.When the Clyde Dam impounded Lake Dunstan, part of Cromwell was relocated. The salvaged buildings now form the Heritage Precinct by the lakefront.

    On the Road in Central Otago

    Exploring Central OtagoCromwell, about 45 minutes from Queenstown and Wanaka, is the ideal base for exploring the wineries around Bannockburn, Bendigo, and Pisa. While getting around without a car is tricky, many wineries offer guided tours with pick-up service.The Lake Dunstan Trail connects Cromwell and Clyde via a 55-kilometer cycle pathThe Otago Central Rail Trail starts in ClydeSummers are hot and dry, so bring sun protection and water

    Accommodations in Central Otago

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    Nearby

    Arrowtown

    Arrowtown

    Founded in 1862 during the gold rush on the Arrow River, Arrowtown has largely preserved its main street with wooden and stone houses from that era. The restored Chinese Settlement commemorates the Chinese gold miners, and in autumn, the valley's deciduous trees turn a brilliant yellow. Queenstown is located about 20 kilometers away.

    Wanaka

    Wanaka is located on the southern shore of Lake Wānaka, about an hour's drive north of Queenstown. It is quieter than its neighbour and a gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park, the Roys Peak track, and the ski fields of Cardrona and Treble Cone.
    Queenstown

    Queenstown

    Queenstown lies on the northern shore of Lake Wakatipu, framed by the Remarkables and Ben Lomond. The small town is New Zealand's center for Bungy, jet boating, and skiing, but also serves as a base for Milford Sound, the Central Otago wine regions, and hikes on the Routeburn Track.
    Glenorchy

    Glenorchy

    Glenorchy is located at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, a 45-minute drive from Queenstown, at the entrance to the Dart and Rees Valleys. The town is a starting point for the Routeburn Track and the backdrop for numerous film scenes, including from The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
    Milford Sound

    Milford Sound

    Milford Sound, called Piopiotahi in Māori, is New Zealand's best-known fjord and the only one in Fiordland that can be reached by road. Steep rock walls, the 1,692-meter-high Mitre Peak and waterfalls such as Stirling Falls shape the roughly 15-kilometer-long inlet.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI