New Zealand
Otago
Region
Otago stretches from the Pacific coast near Dunedin to the lakes and peaks of the Southern Alps around Queenstown and Wanaka. In between lie the dry, golden highlands of Central Otago with its vineyards and the wild coast of the Catlins.
by Felix Gillen
Otago stretches from the Pacific coast near Dunedin to the lakes and peaks of the Southern Alps around Queenstown and Wanaka. In between lie the dry, golden highlands of Central Otago with its vineyards and the wild coast of the Catlins.
Otago, New Zealand's second-largest region, combines two distinct destinations. On the coast lies Dunedin, founded by Scottish settlers in 1848, with Victorian architecture, university life, and the Otago Peninsula, where albatrosses and yellow-eyed penguins breed. Inland stretch the lake landscapes around Queenstown and Wanaka and the highlands of Central Otago, where the 1860s gold rush shaped towns like Arrowtown, and Pinot Noir grows. Driving between Dunedin and Queenstown takes about four hours. Most travellers combine Otago with Fiordland and the West Coast glaciers.
More places in Otago
The Otago Peninsula extends about 20 km northeast from Dunedin's outskirts. A compact area here is home to Royal Albatrosses, Yellow-eyed and Little Penguins, sea lions, and fur seals, along with Larnach Castle and secluded Pacific beaches.
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 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.
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.
Food and Drink in Otago
Otago's cuisine thrives on the inland vineyards and the fish of the coast.
Pinot Noir from Central Otago
Central Otago is one of the world's southernmost wine regions and is particularly known for robust Pinot Noir. The wineries around Gibbston, Bannockburn, and Cromwell offer tastings, many with restaurants.
Stone fruit from Cromwell and Alexandra
In summer, farm shops along State Highway 6 sell cherries, apricots, and peaches straight from the tree.
Speight's from Dunedin
The Rattray Street brewery, brewing since 1876, is a city landmark. Tours end with a tasting.
Gold Rush and Scottish Heritage
Gold Rush and Scottish HeritageDunedin was founded in 1848 by the Free Church of Scotland; its name is the Gaelic form of Edinburgh. The city boasts New Zealand's first university, and Scottish traces can still be found today in street names, the Robert Burns statue in the Octagon, and bagpipe bands at festivals.In 1861, a gold discovery near Lawrence triggered the Otago Gold Rush. Thousands of prospectors, many from China among them, flocked to the valleys of Arrow, Shotover, and Clutha. Abandoned settlements like Bendigo, the sluice channels near St Bathans, and the houses of Arrowtown tell stories of this era. For the Māori, especially the Kāi Tahu tribe, the region had been a passage land for centuries on their way to the coveted Pounamu (jade) of the West Coast.
On the Road in Otago
Exploring OtagoThe region is best explored by rental car or campervan. Queenstown and Dunedin have airports with connections to Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch; Queenstown also connects to Australia. InterCity coaches operate between the cities.Queenstown to Wanaka: approx. one hour via the Crown Range, the country's highest sealed main roadQueenstown to Dunedin: approx. four hours via Cromwell and AlexandraThe 150-kilometre Otago Central Rail Trail between Clyde and Middlemarch is a former railway line, ideal for multi-day cycle toursIn winter, the Crown Range and mountain roads may require snow chains
