Central Otago

Central Otago, affectionately called “Central” by those that know it well, covers an area of 10,000km² and has fewer than 18,000 permanent residents. You will notice a change of pace when you go there. Visitors can reflect on their complex lives when they experience the clear and simple definitions of nature in Central Otago. Just leave the stresses of work behind and just relax, soak in the atmosphere and let the rejuvenation process begin.

One can experience true solitude and get close to nature in an inspiring and timeless land. First time visitors are inspired by this tumble of mountain, river, rock and tussock. See the grandeur of breathtaking vistas and be moved by their surging natural power. Central’s clear light brings mountains within an arm’s reach and displays a star-studded night sky. It is a place of extraordinary contrasts.

The area is dominated by mountain ranges and the upper reaches of the Clutha River and its tributaries. It is characterized by cold winters and hot, dry summers. Central Otago is the second largest region in the country yet he area is only lightly populated,

At latitude 45 degrees South, the Central Otago Wine Region is the most southerly wine producing region in the world. The vineyards are also the highest in New Zealand at 200 (660 ft.) to 400 meters (1,320 ft.) above sea level, on the floor of glacial valleys.

Experience the thrill of a 4-wheel drive expedition into the mountains; be awed by the viaducts as you traverse the Rail Trail; enjoy the solitude of an alpine trek; imagine the back-breaking toil of early gold miners at a heritage site; try your hand at curling, an ancient ice sport; take a lake cruise; and evoke your sensibilities in the art galleries and museums.

Central Otago has impressive mountain ranges, valleys, plains and seasonal weather, which provide opportunities for a wide range of land activities. Cycling the Rail Trail is achievable for most people with a reasonable level of fitness, but for those who want a more exhilarating experience, off-track mountain biking is a must.

Walks and treks take you into places not seen from the main highways. They vary in their levels of difficulty and should only be attempted with the correct gear. The rivers offer pleasing catches to those keen on fishing, and hunting is also an option. Guided tours showcase some of the region’s best attractions. On the lakes aquatic activities are popular in summer and cruises are available.

Artists are drawn to Central Otago’s clear, natural light. What they produce is exceptional and often accessible at the region’s art galleries. Museums display and tell the stories of the local heritage. Central Otago is a land of riches – a special place, where nature’s most powerful elements combine to create a unique and enchanting environment and the perfect natural canvas from which the many local artists and craftspeople draw their inspirations.

Oils to watercolors, pottery to photography, food to fashion – creativity is a natural phenomenon in this colorful world that is Central Otago. Even the old stone cottages and contemporary buildings are designs borne of the landscape and schist rock.

Art galleries and craft shops can be found in the small towns, revealing the talents of local artists and the opportunity to take home a true piece of Central Otago. The Art Deco town of Ranfurly renews architecture of old. Near the tiny township of Naseby you’ll find the Museum of Fashion, a collection of couture from the 1960s and 1970s.

A taste of Otago history

The name “Otago” is an old southern Maori word whose North Island dialect equivalent is “Otakou”, introduced to the south by Europeans in the 1840s. “Otago” is also the old name of the European settlement on the Otago Harbor established in 1831.The place later became the focus of the Otago Association, an offshoot of the Free Church of Scotland.

New Zealand’s first university, The University of Otago was founded in 1864 as the provincial university in Dunedin. And the country’s first daily newspaper the Otago Daily Times, originally edited and published by Jules Vogel, dates from the 1860s.

Major centers of what is now the Otago Region of the old province include Dunedin (the principal city of the region), Oamaru, Balclutha, Alexandra and the major tourist centers of Queenstown and Wanaka The Waikati and Clutha Rivers also provide much of the country’s hydroelectric power.

Significant European occupation in this region started with the Central Otago Gold Rush in the 1860s, but a French immigrant gold miner, Jean Desire Feraud, soon started planting vines and embarking upon small-scale commercial wine production – even winning medals in Australian wine competitions.

Once the gold rush abated, the Central Otago economy turned to sheep farming and fruit production. And once the world began to discover the stark natural beauty of its mountains and lakes – to skiing and tourism.

Vineyard planting and production remained modest until the middle of the 1990s when the industry began to expand rapidly. In 1996 there were just 11 wineries in the Central Otago region. By 2004 this had risen to 75 wineries and 16.2% of national production. Pint noir is the leading grape variety in Central Otago, and is estimated to account for some 70% of plantings.