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New Zealand > Otago >
Central Otago
Central Otago in
the lower South Island, is a place with 4 distinct
seasons, each having it's own unique flavour. This
can be seen at it's best around Alexandra, which has
an annual Blossom Festival (a national event).
Wild thyme covers
many of the hills, and in summer the fragrance fills
the. The area has a special clarity of light in which
the autumn landscape makes for great photos as the
willows and poplars turn gold and amber along
riverbanks and roadsides. In winter, cool, clear blue
days create the ideal scenery for skiing and other
outdoor activities.
Central
Otago is a popular place for holidays, with it's rich
history of gold mining, now given way to agriculture
which produces the worlds finest merino wool, stone
fruit from extensive orchards and wines from some of
New Zealand's top vineyards. Seasonal work is often
available to travellers.
 Attractions
and Activities:
Leave civilization
behind, and head for the hills on horseback, mountain
bike or on one of the many walking trails. Experience some of the country's best
fishing, stroll through wild mountain flowers.
Experience the arts, crafts, fine regional food, jet
boating, gold panning, ice skating, golf, all amidst
some of the best scenery you can get.
Places of Interest Are:
Clyde: which
is a pioneering town of the
1860s
with original stone, timber and cob buildings,
reminding us of the gold mining days. Visit the
unique local museum or gardens for local history or
enjoy water sports on nearby Lake Dunstan and fine
cuisine at the restaurants and cafes in historic
buildings.
 The
Maniototo: "Curling Capital of New
Zealand" : With a moody, dramatic landscape,
that holds some of Central's best-kept secrets. The
Maniototo forms part of the Dunstan trail, the route
from coast to the interior used by Otago's early
pioneers and gold prospectors. Visit places like
Patearoa, Paerau and Oturehua, St Bathans and Naseby
or the Ida Valley. With activities including mountain
biking, golfing, curling, ice skating, swimming, and
walking, or waterskiing on Blue Lake all within an
easy drive of Ranfurly which has most services.
Roxburgh:
on the banks of the Clutha river (slowed by the
Roxburgh Dam), has many orchards producing New
Zealand's best cherries, apricots, peaches and plums,
which are distributed across the country and around
the world. It also has some of the region's best
fishing, swimming, boating and four wheel drive
trails.
Cromwell:
the centre of a once thriving gold mining
trade. Today Cromwell and Alexandra draw people for the tree
ripened summer fruit, fine local wines. Activities including boating, fishing and water
skiing Lake Dunstan, or, in winter, skiing on one of
the many local ski fields. There is a wide range of
local arts and crafts and you can even go gold
panning.
Annual
Events Include : Central Otago Food &
Wine Festival, Queenstown. Ghost to Ghost Triathlon,
St Bathans. Gold Rush Multisport, Alexandra.
Easter Warbirds Over Wanaka
(May) Classic
Farmer of the Year, Cromwell
Maniototo Ice Rink Highland Ball. (June) Brass Monkey Rally
(Motorcycles), Oturehua. (September) Alexandra's annual
Blossom Festival is held on the 4th weekend of
September. (October) Central Otago Masters Games, Cromwell
Gorge Half Marathon. (November) Thyme Celebration,
Alexandra. (December) Millers Flat Rodeo.
Naseby Triathlon
 Transport:
Shuttle bus and other bus services operate from
Queenstown,
Invercargill, Wanaka, Christchurch, Dunedin
and Invercargill. Air Access; National &
international flights to
Queenstown,
Dunedin or
Christchurch. Small plane and helicopter
charter to smaller towns.
Accommodation:
Colonial Manor Cromwell - Located in Cromwell. It is within
walking distance to local restaurants. There are 3 major ski fields
within easy driving distance from Colonial Manor.
Local attractions include wineries, golf, walking tracks and trout
fishing.
Offers 14 units - studio and one bedroom units. Most units feature
kitchen facilities.
 Twin
Rivers Motel Cromwell - Only 2 minutes drive away from town centre and
local golf course and a stroll to waters edge of lake Dunstan. There are 4
major ski fields 90 minutes drive away from the motel.
7 units - studio and one bedroom with kitchen facilities
Queenstown Accommodation
For
further information contact:
Central
Otago Visitor Information Centre
P O Box 56, 22 Centennial Avenue, Alexandra
Ph 64 3 448 9515
Fax 64 3 440 2061
Email info@tco.org.nz
Cromwell
& Districts Information Centre & Museum
47 The Mall, P O Box 2, Cromwell
Ph 64 3 445 0212
Fax 64 3 445 1319
email cromwellvin@xtra.co.nz
Maniototo
Visitor Information Centre
Charlemont Street, P O Box 73, Ranfurly
Ph/Fax 64 3 444 9970
A/H Ph/Fax 64 3 444 9926
Email maniototo.vic@xtra.co.nz
(Open weekdays only)
Teviot
Valley Information Centre
88 Scotland Street (SHB), P O Box 32
Roxburgh
Ph 64 3 446 8715
(Open December to May only)
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