Today Alexandra is the hub for orchards and vineyards. Walk, cycle or stroll gold miners trails in the hills above Alexandra. Sample and sip in Pinot Noir vineyard cellars and discover gold mining stories in the local museum.
CYCLING TRAILS
ALEXANDRA ANNIVERSARY RIVER TRACK TO CLYDE
The 150th Anniversary river track to Clyde is a reasonably short 12 km flat ride (one way) following the Clutha River. The Alexandra River Track to Clyde runs parallel to the well known Otago Central Rail Trail. The Otago Central Rail Trail is an alternative return route for cyclists looping back to Alexandra.
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Clyde, Central Otago
OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL
Otago Central Rail Trail
Ride it, walk it, experience it, the Otago Central Rail Trail. Find out about the original rail trail from Clyde to Middlemarch. The train that followed the gold prospectors into Central Otago. The trail is 150 km of shared trail.
Cycle, walk or even ride on horseback. Highlights include river gorges, stunning schist tors, valleys where orchards and vineyards flourish and the folded tussock clad hills of Central Otago.
… read more about Otago Central Rail Trail.
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OUTDOORS
FLAT TOP HILL CONSERVATION AREA
Quietly slumbering in the Central Otago landscape is Flat Top Hill Conservation area. Central Otago is semi-arid with low rainfall. Indeed Central Otago is the driest region of New Zealand, receiving less than 400 mm of rainfall annually. Otago | NIWA.
Lush vineyards and orchards are reliant on irrigation. Behind the modern water systems is a dry land where water is a scarce resource for native plants. Visit Flat Top Hill Conservation Area and find out what pre-European Maori, 19th century settlers and gold faced when traversing the plains and hills of Central Otago.
It is an excellent place for families with kids as there are a number of short walks. The interpretative panels describe historic gold mining activities, the effect of introduced pests such as rabbits and current conservation efforts. The views are stunning. Definitely a photo moment or two.
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Flat Top Conservation Reserve
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JOLENDALE PARK
@Jolendale Park
Jolendale Park is six hectares of naturalised park situated on Alexandra’s Bridge Hill. The park is New Zealand’s first covenanted semi-arid exotic woodland Reserve. The unassuming native sedges and hardy shrubs are thriving. Plants are named with a short description of their characteristics making it a great walk for families.
The specimen trees range from snow gums, cedars, nut pines and crabapples. The Aronui Reservoir is part of the park. Schist outcrops, steep bluffs are accessible with trails, walkways and lookouts. There are toilets, picnic areas and signposted walks.
WALKS – ALEXANDRA
The Department of Conservation has a superbly detailed brochure for dedicated walkers intent on exploring gold mining trails as well as absorbing the gorgeous landscapes. See Alexandra and Cronwell tracks, DOC) in the Travel Pack Section.
Highlights for Alexandra, Central Otago walking trails:
- Conroy Creek historic gold mining sites in the Aldinga Conservation Area
- Swim and picnic in Conroys Dam
- Witness evidence of the sheer destruction of a powerful water gold mining dredging and water cannon. Earnscleugh Tailings Track mining tailings are nationally significant as the only complete record of dredging activity from 1863 to 1963. They’re an awe inspiring sight, hundreds of metres wide like a giant’s ploughed field.
- Walk along shared cycle Otago Rail Trail
- Explore the lesser known Clyde River shared track
- Flat Top Hill Track with its outstanding town and country views of Central Otago
Otago Rail Trail cyclist
ART & HERITAGE
CENTRAL STORIES MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY
VALLANCE COTTAGE
Vallance Cottage mud brick tiny house originally the home of 11 people. “The historic significance of Vallance Cottage lies in the fact that it provides a largely original and therefore valuable example of a late nineteenth century, vernacular domestic home.
The materials, plan form and natural site development all combine to provide authentic and historic insights into the construction and everyday living experiences for first and second generation pioneer families in the post gold rush era of Central Otago.
Another facet of the cottage’s historic significance is the in-depth and highly personal family history that is intertwined with the cottage building, its development and use over the 20th century.”
There is an annual fair in February on the site. Check with the museum for up to date information on opening hours. Vallance Cottage
Vallance Cottage, Alexandra
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CLOCK ON THE HILL
The clock on the hill, Alexandra
Clock on the Hill is a rite of passage for visitors. Follow the well marked trail up the hill towards the very large, unmissable clock on the hillside. The view is a favourite for landscape photographers with views of Alexandra, Clutha River, vineyards and Old Man and Old Woman Ranges.
The location of the clock has an evocative address, Graveyard Gully Rd. And to get there, cross the historic Shaky Bridge suspended over Manuherikia River.
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SHAKY BRIDGE
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PIERS OF CLYDE RIVER BRIDGE
PIONEER PARK / MUSEUM
There’s a museum located at Pioneer Park, a big green space close to downtown Alexandra. I can’t remember going in but I’m sure it’s interesting (heaps of history in these parts).
The park itself is interesting enough, but you’ll definitely want to visit if the blossoms are out (September). There’s also a market there during the summer (Saturday mornings).
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CENTRAL OTAGO SEASONS
It’s known as the hottest, driest and coldest town in New Zealand, and it’s because of those extremes that Alexandra, in Central Otago, is a popular destination for national and international visitors. Whether it be during the heat of summer or the cold, crisp winter days, Alexandra has four distinct seasons and is a unique place to visit at any time of the year.
WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN WINTER, ALEXANDRA, CENTRAL OTAGO?
@IceInline Alexandra
ICE SKATING RINK
In winter, Alexandra, Central Otago has a very popular Ice Skating Rink with nearby ski fields attracting visitors. Cardrona, Remarkables, and Coronet Peak are within an hour’s drive from Alexandra.
Visiting in winter, Alexandra has Iceinline Skate Rink for aspiring winter skating or ice hockey fans. The winter only attraction is the largest ice skating rink with an Olympic sized hockey area. There are classes for beginners making Alexandra a favourite weekend escape for South Island locals.
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NATURAL SKATING ARENA
The Lower Manorburn Dam is a well known natural space for ice skating in New Zealand. People have been skating on the Manorburn Dam since its construction in the early 1900’s. Care needs to be taken to ensure the safety of skaters. The Dam is a local summer favourite for water sports and bird watching (Little Shag found in raupo swamp areas.)
Manorburn Dam, Alexandra
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WHAT TO DO IN ALEXANDRA, CENTRAL OTAGO IN SUMMER?
In summer Alexandra, Central Otago offers visitors juicy fresh orchards to roadside stall fruit, fascinating gold mining trails to walk and hike, unique semi-arid alpine landscapes, crafty people open their galleries for visitors and the iconic Otago Rail Trail is open for cyclists and walkers to soak up the sights.
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FESTIVALS
- Alexandra Blossom Festival is a stalwart of New Zealand. Alexandra Blossom Festival is the longest running community festival of its kind in New Zealand. Hosted on the fourth weekend of September since 1956, it is Alexandra’s annual celebration of Spring blossom heralding a promise of stone fruit and juicy apples.
- Central Otago Craft Beer Festival. Annual celebration of local craft beer, cider, wine and food. Held every first weekend of February and a chance for the whole family to soak up the Central sun whilst listening to local bands.
@Alexandra Blossom Festival
@Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust
- Gold Panning Championships. The 2022 Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust New Zealand Gold Panning Championships is now held in Alexandra in conjunction with the Blossom Festival. Organised by Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust.
- Vallace Cottage Heritage Weekend. Annual heritage faire at Vallance Cottage, check website for details.
- Merino Shears Championship. The Merino shears in October. The people behind the beautiful merino clothing and accessories start with the hard graft of shearing. Find out what it’s like to shear a sheep at speed.
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UNUSUAL & FASCINATING
INTERESTING FACT
MOTHS, two rare species, are found in the Chapman Road Scientific Reserve. Central Otago definitely goes in for tiny, unique life forms that are underrated visitor attractions. Rare native moths are best seen during daylight hours in the summer. The moth’s habitat are salt pans creating a glare with the light. While you are peering at the landscape a slight form will flit in front of you. It is oddly fascinating to be on holiday quietly observing moths.
ALEXANDRA GOLF COURSE
The award winning Alexandra course provides an easy walking, well groomed, championship layout with narrow, tree lined fairways and reminders of the old arid landscape in the areas of rough. It is a challenge for any level of golfer and draws many visitors keen to experience the course and the many attractions of the unique surrounding area.
Visitors are sure of a warm Central Otago welcome, check out our weekly club days and event programmes in the Members Area. Check out the website for more details.
@Alexandra Golf Club
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For golfing buffs who want a course with a difference check out Roxburgh and the challenge of golfing uphill among rock tors.
CENTRAL OTAGO ARTS
@reneewaldenart
The Central Otago District Arts Trust promotes performance artists, music and dance groups, film and theatre, along with the literary arts. For festivals, book ahead for accommodation to avoid disappointment. For more information about upcoming events, check out the Central Otago events calendar. For trip ideas Otago art and culture trail is the way to go.
Alexandra has a golden history dating back to the 1860s when gold was discovered and extensively mined until the 1930s. The town was originally known as Lower Dunstan, then Manuherikia and then the Junction. It was renamed Alexandra in 1863 after Princess Alexandra by John Aitken Connell who surveyed the town.
The original orchards served the mining community, but it was around the turn of the century that orchardists realised the potential of the dry climate and fertile soil combined with the irrigation available from the mining races. The gold rush has subsided yet Alexandra continues to thrive on viticulture and tourism.
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DAY TRIPS
CROMWELL TO ROXBURGH DAY TRIP
Day trips, a popular local destination is Roxburgh. The impressive might of the Roxburgh Dam, detour to Spillway Lookout for a closer peek leads to Lake Roxburgh. The lake and Clutha River are popular recreational spots for fishing, lazing on river beaches and by the lake, water sports and impromptu picnics.
Roxburgh Hydro Dam, Clutha River
Getting around Alexandra and What to Do Nearby
ALEXANDRA has an active social media presence, Alexandra webcam and the local weather forecast is worth a peek.
Travelling distances between Alexandra and nearby Otago towns:
SH = State Highway
WHERE TO STAY IN ALEXANDRA, CENTRAL OTAGO
@Alexandra Heights Motel
Alexandra Heights Motel is the perfect place to stay for a central Otago summer holiday, It’s not just the beautiful towering mountains and natural undulating landscape. It’s just the whole package. It’s a great place to base yourself, be it for work or a vacation. We are surrounded by amazing wineries, restaurants and of course all of the new local cycle tracks and walks.’
Four star accommodation with the amazing Nicola as your host. Functional, practical with a classic motel vibe. Well maintained premises.
Weather in Alexandra
Alexandra weather forecast
Alexandra is one of the farthest towns from a coastline in New Zealand and experiences cold winters and warm summers relative to the rest of the country.
Temperatures regularly drop below zero in winter and can rise above thirty degrees Celsius in the summer months. You can find out the current weather via Weather Page, (Information supplied by NIWA)
Alexandra Location
Best time to visit Alexandra, Central Otago is year round, check out what to do in the seasons section above.
Getting to Alexandra
The best way to get to Alexandra is by private vehicle. While the intercity bus does stop in the town it is once a day. Getting around Central Otago, cycle or vehicle with the option of local walking trails to explore the area further.
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TRAVEL PACK INFORMATION
- Chapman Road Scientific Reserve, “Two rare species of native moths are active on the hottest days of summer from October to March. Look carefully over the barest salty areas on sunny days to see them flying low over the salty crust where their larval host plant Atriplex buchananii One is a small geometrid moth about 12 mm in wingspan and conspicuous with its orange hindwings. Paranotoreas fulva delights to sunbathe on the barest salty soils and the females lay their eggs on the host plant.The other moth is a crambid which was first discovered on these salt pans in the 1980s and is still undescribed in the genus Loxostege. It is also a day flying species over the barest saline patches where again its larvae feed on mats of Atriplex. Both are only found on Central Otago’s salt pans. They are rare and threatened as this once extensive habitat has dwindled in both extent and quality.”
- “A dry land ecosystem, Flat Top Hill supports a diverse range of animal and plant life, including examples of regenerating native plant species that previously covered much of the lowland valleys of Central Otago. Dry land ecosystems are one of New Zealand’s most threatened ecosystems. Flat Top Hill is important for observation, recording and management of such ecosystems. The area also includes some interesting historical evidence of European and Chinese settlement.” Flat Top Hill Conservation Area walks
Butcher Lake, Alexandra
- VALLANCE COTTAGE – The cottage is situated on a high, level terrace above the Manuherikia River valley, which slopes away from the rear (south) of the cottage. Historically, the cottage site had a close relationship with the nearby gold diggings of Tucker Hill that lay immediately southwards, on the far side of the river. The cottage is on a grassy reserve adjoining the Alexandra Holiday Park and close to the Otago Central Rail Trail. It is a single storey colonial cottage of a form typical from the 1860s – symmetrical façade with a central front door flanked by multi-pane double hung sash windows and a lean-to gable at the rear. Vallance Cottage has been extended to the rear as required. The 1990s restoration team for the cottage recycled existing bricks, and made their own mud bricks in the repair of the internal walls of the cottage, which demonstrates a continuity of construction method and material not always found in other restoration projects. In 2017, Vallance Cottage was owned by Central Otago District Council, who opens the cottage to visitors by appointment.
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