Things To Do In Otago § Places to go, Activities & Sightseeing

Nature and wildlife buffs do not miss out with the majesty of the Royal Albatross colony a drawcard, the marine waters are home to dolphins, seals and whales with stunning views from the surrounding rolling hills.

Major towns such as Timaru and Oamura are threads connecting the journey south on State Highway as it follows the coast and hills. Oamura is fun. Genuine dyed in the wool heritage bottled and reimagined for visitors. Oamaru has curated the history of Oamaru New Zealand into quirky, fun encounters. You are not going to forget your visit in a hurry. Kids are welcome to clamber, jump and climb at Steampunk. The blue penguins will capture your heart as they waddle back to their nests in the evening, Oamaru is definitely worth a stopover.

Today small settlements such as St Bathans have less than 10 permanent residents yet are evocative fascinating places to visit. Formerly thousands called Towns include Middlemarch, Ranfurly, Naseby home. Discover their stories and find out why the locals are so passionate about Central Otago. The wide open spaces encouraged the pastoral holdings and the advent of rail opened up the area for rapid transport links. Today small heritage settlements are a treasure trove of heritage stories from the 19th century gold rush era, to pastoral activities and the present. The small towns are home for artists, crafty folk offering quirky unique pieces to linger over and purchase.

Warm dry summers entice visitors to bike around the bronze landscapes of central Otago. Luscious fruit roadside stalls are a reason to stop and savour the sweet taste of sun ripened apricots, pears and peaches. Ranfurly is the largest town in the district.

CROMWELL

Cromwell’s historic district at the junction of the Kawarau and Clutha Rivers was swallowed by the lake in the late 1980’s due to the construction of the Clyde Dam. The heritage precinct was carefully removed and reimaged in its current location by the newly created Lake Dunstan foreshore. Today visitors continue to stroll through a heritage precinct. Gravel soils, river valleys and warm summers underpin a successful horticulture / vintner industry fostering a farm to gate culinary experience for visitors. Fresh fruit, single origin estate wines and boutique artisan goods have become part of the gold fields’ magic experience. Check 10 Inspiring Reasons to Visit Cromwell to start the journey

Wanaka is an undisputed favorite for many repeat visitors to the Queenstown district due to its proximity to Queenstown. Wanaka is packed with tour operators offering exhilarating adventure options from high wire balancing past waterfalls to adrenaline laced rock climbing. Equipment for skiing, summer sports or active outdoor pursuits adds up. Who doesn’t want to SUP or kayak to a marine reserve and picnic on a remote beach. The idea of jet boating to a quiet place to fish feels like heaven or an expensive way to fish. Glorious scenery is free, it is what to do while in Wanaka that costs. Wanaka offers airborne heights where you land on a glacier or the wild calls with horse trekking or 4WD into the pristine alpine landscapes.

Foodie delights / Vineyards nestled in the Gibbston Valley and the reward of finding award winning single origin wineries, boutique food producers and passionate locals who welcome visitors to their cellar doors.