Central Otago is New Zealand’s most inland region, also it’s hottest, coldest and driest. The region celebrates a magnificent natural and historic wealth; distinguished through its expansive landscapes, defined seasons, distinctive heritage, year round curling, wine trails and New Zealand’s first rail trail.

Set your own tempo of activity in Central Otago. Cycle a section of the Otago Central Rail Trail, taste award winning wines in amazing locations, try curling year round, play a round of golf at any one of the 11 golf courses, cruise the Clutha River, visit picturesque historic gold mining towns or just kick back and relax at one of the many boutique historic or heritage accommodation places. Central Otago is a place where you relax, indulge and rejuvenate.

Central Otago is readily accessible by main highways from Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Queenstown and the West Coast via Wanaka. Dunedin International Airport is 2.5 hours from Alexandra and Queenstown International Airport is 40 minutes from Cromwell.

Central Otago has four distinct seasons and is cooler in winter, however the climate is mostly dry and sunny all year!

The people of Central Otago have a strong sense of “Love of Place” and are proud to share their place with visitors. It is a place which truly offers A World of Difference.

Seasons In Central Otago there are no half measures: you’ll bask in the glory of the summer; kick back in the autumn golden glow; hunker down under the blanket of winter; and recharge the body and soul in the flourish of spring growth. READ MORE	Fishing Central Otago is an angler’s paradise. There is a fantastic variety of fishing opportunities in a place where vast mountain vistas are usually the backdrop. Whether its safe and easy access for the family outing, or off the beaten track to a discreet fishing location, the choices are many and varied. READ MORE	Gold Heritage Discover towering sluiced cliffs, herringbone tailings, tunnels, water races, tailraces, dams, stone masonry, mud-brick cottages and assorted relics. Follow in the footsteps of the adventurers before you. Marvel at their feats, be awed by their audacity and revel in the excitement of your discoveries on the Central Otago goldfields. READ MORE

Four Wheel Driving Four-wheel driving in Central Otago provides opportunities to access and enjoy some of New Zealand’s most striking and majestic scenery, a landscape of unsurpassed stark beauty. The unique vast, open terrain tells its own tales of hardship and prosperity as settlers seeking fortunes in gold and farming have often struggled to survive. READ MORE	Mountain Biking Central Otago boasts a smorgasbord of challenging and easier Mountain Bike trails. Go wild in this unique and unpopulated playground, where the tracks of old miners, and the horse and cart, as well as old coach roads and `pure downhill’ long runs from high mountain tops, offer it all. READ MORE	Multi Sports Central Otago multi sport events are what the sport was like in the "old days", fun, friendly, affordable, and with a great atmosphere. Competitors thrash it out across old pioneering trails of the gold rush era; kayaking, mountain biking, road biking and running through vast countryside and in very special locations. READ MORE

Walks and Treks All year round Central Otago has a range of walking options from strolling to trekking, 15 minutes to a day or more. Most are in natural surroundings or highlight the history of gold discovery and production. Explore heritage towns and tracks first used in the 1860’s. Come and enjoy our world of difference. READ MORE	Wildflowers Delight in a ramble amongst the natural beauty of Central Otago’s wildflowers. Flourishing along roadsides, river edges, and in valleys, hills and mountains, countless varieties adorn landscapes – many of them rare and some endemic to their location. Whatever the season, a walk through Central Otago’s wonderful wildflowers is enchanting. READ MORE	Camping Central Otago truly is one of the prime camping centres in New Zealand. With long hot summers, clear skies and clean rivers this is the place to visit. Whatever type of camping holiday you enjoy – you will be welcomed in Central Otago. READ MORE

Winter Sports Experience the thrill of the natural ice luge; the joy of ice skating outdoors; and the sense of tradition and challenge that is the ancient Scottish ice sport of curling. It is all here – in Central Otago’s winter wonderland where the fun begins. READ MORE