Otago

In this region we have included Oamaru, Dunedin, the Otago Peninsula, and inland to (and including Alexandra.)

(see Fiordland and Southern Lakes section for Wanaka Queenstown)

Central Otago Vineyards: Visit the Wine Region Map and click on the Central Otago Region for a list of wineries to visit.

Oamaru

Renowned for it's historical stone buildings, made from the local stone, (funnily enough known as Oamaru Stone.) The stone is still popular countrywide for artistic carving. People practicing traditional crafts such as bookbinding have occupied some of the buildings for use. An area near the port, behind the main street (on the seaward side) is a fully intact nineteenth century business district under restoration. Heritage celebrations held annually in November include such things as Penny Farthing Cycle Races and stone sawing competitions. Buildings of note in the town include banks, post office, council chambers, courthouse, and several churches. A full walking circuit of the historical features takes 1 1/2- 2 hrs.

Blue Penguins come ashore to their nests, at dusk, within walking distance of the Information Centre (inquire within during opening hours).

Maori occupation here dates back to its earliest days, known as the time of the Moa Hunters, and there is evidence at a nearby historical site of their dwelling in caves and under rock overhangs.

Dunedin

The Scots began organized settlement in 1848, Dunedin means 'Edin on the hill' the ancient version of Edinburgh. The development of Dunedin made huge advances following the discovery of gold in Otago in 1861; merchants and business people made the best long-term gains from the gold rush and are responsible for much of the investment made in city. The Scots brought with them their regard for religion and education. Dunedin had its first basic library within two years of the settlers arriving and the University of Otago was established in 1869. The first woolen mills opened in nearby Mosgiel in 1871. Buildings worthy of note are the Renaissance-style railway station, University of Otago, St Paul's and St Joseph's Cathedrals, Olveston Mansion.
Much of the present day life and colour is due to the presence of the University, much as would be the case in Edinburgh, Scotland. 
The Taieri Gorge railway trip departs from Dunedin station and takes 4-5 hours. 

Otago Peninsula

Approximately 12 kms from the city along the Otago Peninsula is Larnach Castle, set amongst 35 acres of gardens and grounds, this is not a big Castle by European standards but lovingly restored and presented, buildings of this nature are not often seen in the Antipodes. At the tip of the peninsula is the Royal Albatross breeding colony of Tairoa Head, which has a visitor centre and guided tours, (limited viewing during courting and egg laying season 16 Sept to 23 Nov). There is also a penguin colony nearby to visit. The peninsula is a treasure trove of scenic beauty, nature, history and art.

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Moeraki Boulders

Between Oamaru and Dunedin on the coastal road lies Moeraki with its alien looking spherical boulders. Some on the beach and others emerging from the cliffs. The boulders were formed when this area of land was below sea level and formed as layers building around a nucleus, much as a pearl would grow, these are considered some of the finest examples in the world. Maori folklore tells us that they are food baskets or water containers washed ashore from the wreck of the canoe Arai-te-uru.

The Clutha River plays a major part in this area not only as a natural feature but also in the economy and history of the area. It begins flowing from Lake Wanaka near Albertown flowing south east through the dam at Clyde and on to Alexandra, a centre for the production of stone fruits today, but began life as a miners settlement with the discovery of gold there in 1862.  A handsome bridge spans the river with the remains of a much older bridge used 1882-1958 still visible. The town has some interesting historic buildings such as the the courthouse built 1876 of schist stone.

The river negotiates another dam at Roxburgh, also a gold rush town with historic buildings. The river continues its flow south leaving the main road just past Raes Junction and finally merging with the sea near Balclutha.

State Highway 87 from Mosgiel (once famous for its woolen mills), near Dunedin joins the scenic Taieri River valley at Sutton and passing between the Taieri Ridge and the Rock and Pillar Range. emerging onto the Maniototo Plains, an inland plateau, and joining with Highway 85 at Kyeburn near Ranfurly. Nearby Naseby is interesting with it's old Athenaeum Building (1865). About 12km off the the most northerly point of Highway 85, is the historic village of St Bathans, the feeling is remote and the old buildings like the set from a movie, perched beside the a water filled mining pit now known as the Blue Lake. Base yourself out here in the country somewhere or drive the round trip of Highways 87,85 and 8  for a self guided gold trail.

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Otago Peninsula & Dunedin.
	Taieri Gorge Train The Taieri Gorge Train takes you on a journey through the rugged and spectacular Taieri River Gorge, across wrought iron viaducts and through tunnels carved by hand more than 100 years ago. :Website: CLICK HERE
	Monarch Otago Peninsula Wildlife Cruises & Trips This Monarch Cruise Premier Package includes the full Otago Harbour and Taiaroa Head wildlife cruise, scenic Otago Peninsula bus tour, and guided tours of the Royal Albatross Colony, the Yellow Eyed Penguin Reserve and a visit to wading bird habitats. Other options include a tour of Larnach Castle, one of Dunedin’s great landmarks or a visit to the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre with its absorbing display of local sealife :Website: CLICK HERE
	The Royal Albatross Colony at Taiaroa Head, approx 100 resident birds with chicks hatching in late January / early February. Reservations for guided tours by conservation staff are essential 'Phone: 64 3 478 0499 /Fax: 64 3 478 0575 :Website: www.albatrosses.co.nz
	Fort Taiaroa, gun emplacements built near the Albatross Colony in the 1880’s as defense against Russian invasion.
	Larnach Castle, built by William Larnach in the 1870’s for his wife Eliza Jane Guise, features an excellent collection of antiques and 35 acres of gardens and grounds.   :Website: www.larnachcastle.co.nz
	Penguin Place Conservation Reserve, informative guided tours of this natural Yellow Eyed Penguin nesting area, viewing from 5 metres.  'Phone: 64 (3) 478 0286 :Website: www.penguin-place.co.nz Also visit:
	Glenfalloch Woodland Garden, 30-acre harbourside garden with superb displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and fuchsias. 'Phone: +64 (3) 476 1006
	The Organ Pipes and Chasm Walk, one hour return from Mt Cargill Road, great city views and the interesting Organ Pipes, striking stratified basalt column formations.
	Historic walks around the city and nearby Port Chalmers, the latter having established itself as an Arts & Crafts centre.
	Otago Museum, 419 Great King Street, Dunedin excellent displays of Maori and Pacific heritage 'Phone: +64 (3) 474 747 :Website: www.otagomuseum.govt.nz
	Golf at the St Clair Golf Club, full facilities available. 'Phone: +64 (3) 487 7076 :Website: www.crosley.co.nz/stclair
	Guided Nature Tours, Nature Guides Otago, 'Phone: 64 3 454 5169 :Website: www.nznatureguides.com
	Taieri Gorge Railway, travel inland by train on this historic rail route. 'Phone: +64 (3) 477 4449, :Website: http://www.taieri.co.nz
	Baldwin Street. Visit the worlds steepest street with its steepest section graded at 1 in 2.86 venue for the annual 'gutbuster' foot race see life from a whole new angle
	Visit the Aquarium of the NZ Marine Studies Centre at Portobello Open daily 12 noon to 4.30pm 'Phone +64 (3) 479 5826 :Website: www.otago.ac.nz/marinestudies
	Olveston House, 42 Royal Terrace, Dunedin. Tour this 'turn of the century' stately home preserved to reflect the lifestyle of the time. Six guided, one hour, tours daily 'Phone: +64 (3) 477 3320 :Website: www.visit-dunedin.co.nz/olveston.html
	Hare Hill Horse Treks Hare Hill is a lovely 60 acre farm located in Deborah Bay on the north side of the Otago Harbour, close to historic Port Chalmers and only 20 minutes drive from Dunedin. Hare Hill offers horse riding suitable for the beginner right through to the more advanced rider. Your Hosts - Oliver & Margaret Goldsmith 'Phone: +64 (3) 4728496 or 0800437837 :Website: www.horseriding-dunedin.co.nz
Karitane
	Trojan Horse Riding offers exclusive guiding with instruction as well assuperb beach riding. :Website:  www.trojanriding.co.nz
Central Otago
	Otago Goldfields Heritage Trail. Lawrence, gold was discovered at Gabriel's Gully 3km from town 20 May 1861.old gold workings can be seen. Roxburgh had 20 gold dredges working the Clutha River  23km north of the town is Gorge Creek where there is a monument to an unknown number of miners who perished in the snows on the Old Man Range in 1863. Nearby is Roxburgh Gorge Walk, check with Visitor Information Alexandra for a brochure and track conditions, the whole walk is 8 1/2 - 10 hours over old gold workings and settlements The gorge contains the largest number and best preserved examples of Chinese Rock Shelters in Otago. Clyde was once the centre of the Dunstan Goldfields, today is is an attractive village with some lovely historic buildings. Cromwell is now a modern town, the flooding of Lake Dunstan behind the Clyde Dam drowned much of the old town, however there is an historic precinct beside the lake, where some of the old buildings were painstakingly rebuilt stone by stone.
	Otago Central Rail Trail 150km long thrusts deep into the heart of Central Otago, the only region in New Zealand with a continental climate; a magical stage for amazing performances by all four seasons. Cycle the full length in 3-4 days or select a shorter section as time allows. Accommodations are strategically available along the route, cycle hire is available with re-location to your starting point and the end of your journey. What better way to experience the dramatic landscapes of central Otago. :Website: http://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/
	Along the eastern shore of lake Dunstan 18 km from Cromwell is Bendigo. Bendigo was mined for over half a century and dozens of crumbling stone cottage remains are to be found amongst the scrub. The area is dotted with mine shafts up to 170m deep so stick to the track. There is no settlement there today only ghosts. In this immediate area are also the remains of Logantown, Welshtown and the Matilda Battery. Towards Queenstown are old workings and relics at Bannockburn, Arrowtown, and Kawarau Gorge.  St Bathans has one remaining working facility the Historic Vulcan Hotel Pub. See also the old Post Office and Gold Office/Public hall. Note also the Blue Lake a man made 69m deep hole, which used to have a 120m high hill on top of it!
	At Oturehua, about 5km off the main highway (left) en-route to Ranfurly is the Golden Progress Quartz mine with the only remaining poppet head in Otago. Naseby has walks through the old gold workings an Early Settlers Museum and an old watchmakers shop. Macraes was once a busy gold town  and the Gold Point Battery is 5km from Macraes. The stone 'Stanley's' Hotel built 1882 still stands and is the focal point of the district. The current gold mining venture by the Macraes Mining Company, started in 1990 and is extracting about 100,000 ounces of gold annually, the estimated resource of gold is estimated at 2.07 million ounces. Tours of the Macraes Gold Mine Oceanagold Tours Phine: 0800 465 386 Prebooking is essential for these daily tours operating from the Information Centre. 2 hour duration, $20 per adult, $10 for a child. Palmerston at the junction with State Highway 1 was once a busy hub of the goldfields marking the end of the road once known as the Pigroot.
	The Otago Goldfields Heritage Trail Booklet has more extensive information and maps and should be available from major Information Offices in Otago. Queenstown and Cromwell

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Revised: December 28, 2009