Dunedin has been the starting point of Get away from it all, then keep Explore beyond your frontiers more than a few epic journeys, but unlike going a bit further. in the Home of Adventure. the gold rush you can take your time.

Otago Central Rail Trail Railway Station Photo: Miles Holden TSS Earnslaw,

IF YOU LOVE HISTORY IF YOU LOVE NATURE, PARKS & GARDENS IF YOU LOVE WALKING IF YOU LOVE BIKING IF YOU LOVE EATING & DRINKING IF YOU LOVE EXCITEMENT

Visit the world’s only mainland northern royal albatross Enjoy incredible mountain and lake views, wetland habitat Cycle the Arrow River Bridges Trail from to Indulge in Dunedin’s sophisticated culinary scene – Skim, whizz and zip along a choice of several stunning 1 Delve into ’s provincial and Māori history at Dunedin’s 9 17 25 33 41 landmark Toitū Otago Settlers Museum & Otago Museum colony at the Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head and perhaps a swim on the easy Circuit , then treat yourself to a post-ride wine-tasting from morning espresso to a midnight whisky Otago rivers on a thrilling jet boat ride

Head out on a guided tour or boat trip for a close Loop around Bannockburn Sluicings peculiar gold mining Sidle around a rocky lakeshore on the new Get a generous helping of heritage alongside local Get some bucket-list bragging rights – do a bungy jump 2 Admire , a Renaissance-style 10 18 26 34 42 masterpiece and one of ’s finest buildings encounter with Otago Peninsula’s amazing natural world remains and get great views over Cromwell Basin Trail between the heritage precincts of Cromwell & Clyde flavours in Ophir or canyon swing

Wander through the bird-filled native forest of Orokonui Soak up epic views of the Alexandra basin on a hike up Cruise along the peaceful Clutha Mata-au River on Take a break off your road trip or Rail Trail Float, splash and dash down the rapids on a whitewater 3 Visit Larnach Castle for amazing tales alongside splendid 11 19 27 35 43 architecture, glorious gardens and panoramic harbour views Ecosanctuary and learn about its ecological restoration to the iconic Clock on the Hill or Flat Top Hill the family-friendly Clyde to Alexandra River Track ride at a historic country pub rafting trip on the striking Shotover or Kawarau Rivers

Immerse yourself in some city tranquility at the Dunedin Amble around the St Bathans Blue Lake moonscape, Tackle some of ’s world-famous single track Take a tour of Bannockburn for wine tastings and long See the Southern Alps and surrounds from on high via 4 Step back in time at Olveston, a historic home flush with 12 20 28 36 44 art, furniture and other fine artefacts Botanic Garden or Lan Yuan Chinese Gardens then stroll along the old town high road mountain biking trails on Flat Top Hill lunches alongside lashings of spectacular scenery a skydive, paraglide or scenic heli or plane flight

Explore Sinclair Wetlands on short walks taking in bird- Wander around the wonders of Naseby – the swimming Delve deep into the flinty history of Otago’s mightiest Wander around Cromwell’s vineyards on the 4 Barrels Go all-mountain with winter snow sports or summer 5 Wander the streets, shops and cafes of Ranfurly to admire 13 21 29 37 45 its striking art deco architecture watching viewpoints amidst tranquil waters & bushland dam, historic cemetery, forest trails and charming township river on the twin Roxburgh Gorge & Clutha Gold Trails Walking Wine Trail mountain biking at or

Plan a picnic at Conroys Dam in the delightful tussock See unique Sutton Salt Lake nestled in a hidden schist Enjoy stunning scenery, tunnels & bridges on the Auripo Pick up delicious picnic supplies at weekly produce markets Go luging on the super-fun, family-friendly luge 6 Throw some stones of the curling kind. Try the ancient ice- 14 22 30 38 46 sport of curling all year round in Naseby and historic reserve, Aldinga Conservation Area basin backed by the stunning Rock & Pillar Range to Lauder day ride of the held in Dunedin, Alexandra, Cromwell & Queenstown at the top of the Skyline Gondola

Hop on a 4WD tour to remote corners of the region such Take the self-guided Dunedin Street Art walk through the Head to the pine-scented groves of Naseby Forest for Take a wine tour by bike in Gibbston, a vine-lined Feed your need for speed at Highlands Motorsport Park 7 Get a glimpse into early farm life at heritage-listed Hayes 15 23 31 39 47 Engineering Works in rural as Skippers Canyon, , Glenorchy & Paradise inner city’s colourful streets & laneways mountain bike rides for all ages and abilities valley with dramatic river and mountain views – from go-karting to the ‘supercar fast dash’

Cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the Earnslaw steamship Enjoy grandstand coastal views on the Otago Peninsula’s Tick off the city sights on Dunedin’s Harbour Cycleway Treat your tastebuds to the international flavours of Learn to surf along the awesome point breaks around 8 Dig into the gold rush days at Lakes District Museum then 16 24 32 40 48 shop and dine your way around historic Arrowtown village to survey the gardens & grounds of Walter Peak Station Sandymount Track and side trip to Sandfly Bay and other urban cycle paths Queenstown’s diverse downtown dining precinct Dunedin with a local surf school

CHRISTCHURCH

Aoraki / Mt Cook

Ashburton Slow down, relax and ONE OF NEW ZEALAND’S FINEST ROAD TRIPS, Timaru the 341-kilometre journey follows scenic highways savour a spectacular from the Pacific Ocean to the foot of the Southern Milford Sound Alps via the beautiful and southern road trip. Plain. Cromwell Queenstown Follow the road less travelled from Ōtepoti/ Ranfurly Leaving Dunedin, it winds through the heart Alexandra Dunedin to Queenstown and see our regions Middlemarch of Central Otago taking in characterful settlements at their brilliant best. Roxburgh such as Middlemarch, Ranfurly, Oturehua and DUNEDIN The Central Otago Touring Route is a journey Clyde, as well as the larger towns of Alexandra, through dramatic landscapes full of natural Cromwell, Arrowtown and Queenstown. wonders, unique attractions and activities – along with warm local welcomes that make Soak up the scenery, see the sights, and enjoy all Otago such a memorable place to visit. sorts of activities at a relaxed pace by taking 3–5 MAP & GUIDE days – longer if you can. The Central Otago Touring Route SEE WHERE HISTORY LIVES Delve deep into history in memorable ways and places is full of things to do, places to – heritage buildings and streetscapes, railway bridges see, rewarding detours & other and tunnels, rustic farms, gold mining sites and more. A series of excellent museums, monuments and trailside reasons to take your time… interpretation brings Otago’s past to life.

ENJOY FINE WINE TIME GET ACTIVE OUTDOORS Take time out for a tour around our vine-lined valleys. See the sights at the perfect pace on walkways, hiking Linger over cellar door tastings or a long, al fresco lunch. and biking trails including four New Zealand Great Talk to local wine-lovers. Hear the tales of one of the Rides. There’s something for everyone – from nature world’s most extreme wine regions – its fascinating trails and gentle cycle paths, to challenging wilderness roots, revival and flourishing vineyards. adventures. Plan your trip at centralotagotouringroute.co.nz FEAST ON LOCAL FLAVOURS Share your journey @centralotagonz EXPLORE BIG SKY COUNTRY @dunedinnz @queenstownnz Savour a delicious food tour from gate to plate. Visit Admire an array of landscapes stretching from the alps #centralotagotouringroute vineyard restaurants, urban eateries, rustic pubs, to the ocean. Learn how these incredible places were country cafés, bakeries, and farmers markets where you created and shaped. See fascinating wildlife, and flora can meet the makers and stock up for your journey. from lowland forest to alpine tussock. And survey the natural grandeur from epic lookouts along the way. FIND YOUR SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE FOLLOW EARLY FOOTSTEPS Take your trip up a level by going further, faster, higher or just pushing a personal limit. There are Retrace the journeys made by Māori, and Pākehā. endless opportunities to try something new – from the Follow the rivers through valleys and gorges, head over adrenaline-fuelled activities of Queenstown, to gentler high country passes and across the plains. Discover who activities in our great outdoors. came and why, and the stories behind the places centralotagotouringroute.co.nz they named. 8

6 Omarama

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T R 8 E C B MAP KEY O L To the N E E West Coast Central Otago Touring Route H S Wanaka Mt St Bathans T A Cycle trail 6 B W 2088m A K Inland route to T A Clutha Aoraki/Mt Cook National H D EV charging station N Ma A U ta O - Park, Tekapo, N N R a S Petrol station u R D R R R A i A A v N C e N Information centre r G G E 8A E Duntroon Cardrona village 20 1 Points of interest Mt Pisa 1963m Queensbury St Bathans S Airport Crown Range I N A 6 T Lookout/storyboards E N PEAK G 8 U 85 CORONET N Tohu Whenua Heritage Site A O R M Arrowtown A N Great Ride 8 25 S A Oturehua I Pisa Moorings Lake S T Becks P N EY 7 Wedderburn Naseby 15 17 40 41 42 Dunstan D U LL Diggings Skifield

VA 21 6 A

43 44 45 46 KI S I 6 Cromwell ER Lauder Curling E Leaning Rock 1647m H E

L 26 U 39 N Auripo G

B A Southern Scenic Route To Glenorchy M EY ID Queenstown A 37 38 47 L R E L K

K A H Bannockburn G V G A R 8 6 Ophir N A U Ranfurly K A 18 36 A ID O A Chatto Creek R R 5 31 N M 34 H Kyeburn 16 35 Y U E T D R I R 85 E O MANIOTOTO G N M E L O

a G G PLAIN k Clyde A U N e N S R 30 W A E T R a N A G k I I N N N a 27 A A t A S i R p T u M Alexandra E R 85 To Oamaru N O G A 14 . L U R 19 D Hyde and Christchurch W I L u R I O 28 a P D Obelisk 1682m - H L a M 8 t G D O a U N R M K O A O a N R O h UPPER K L t T u O Kingston D l C C B TAIERI C O S M E B R H N A 29 Y PLAIN E I I N R 87 A A V R T N R A A N N G G U G E O E M Village Middlemarch

Southern Scenic Route Lee Stream/Te Makarara 6 to Te Anau and Invercargill Roxburgh

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1 E G N Ettrick A R R O O M ER M M LA

N 87 Beaumont DUNEDIN 8 Outram 90 1 2 3 4 9 0 10 20 km 1 To Invercargill Lawrence To the Southern 10 11 12 13 23 24 32 33 48 Scenic Route/Catlins

KIA ORA – WELCOME Slow down, discover our places, DRIVING TIMES If it feels like you’re driving through meet our people... a painting, you probably are. Stretching from the wild, Pacific Ocean coast, across the high The moa hunters were first to venture into the mountainous Accommodation ranges from simple camping and boutique Dunedin–Middlemarch 77 km 60 min country to the mountains, the Otago region is full of natural interior we now know as Central Otago. Following in their lodges to upmarket motels and apartments. A journey of 3–5 days is recommended to relax, soak up the Middlemarch–Ranfurly 64 km 45 min grandeur, captivating history, and diverse arts, culture and footsteps were the surveyors, pastoralists and prospectors, scenery and take in top attractions along the way. cuisine. some of whom stayed to make their homes in and around Wonderful seasonal events are held throughout the year – try Ranfurly–Alexandra 86 km 60 min Clyde, Alexandra, Cromwell and other towns. timing your visit to join in! Explore Otago at the perfect pace on four Great Rides of Ngā Alexandra–Cromwell 46 km 40 min This part of Te Waipounamu/the was first settled Haerenga/New Zealand Cycle Trails. by Māori who lived in the coastal settlements of Ōtākou/ Others travelled even further inland, through the narrows of the Fuel stops & other services including EV charging points can Cromwell–Arrowtown 48 km 40 min dramatic to the breathtaking . be found at convenient locations along the route. In more Otago and travelled inland for seasonal food gathering and to Discover Otago’s heritage at Tohu Whenua sites – the places Arrowtown–Queenstown 20 km 20 min search for pounamu. Pākehā arrived as sealers and whalers, The courageous spirit and toughness of those early explorers that have shaped New Zealand and created our stories. Visit remote towns fuel pumps may be card only. Connect up with the Southern Scenic Route to explore then farmers, but it was the 1860s gold rush that laid the and settlers helped shape Queenstown into one the world’s tohuwhenua.nz to learn more. foundations of the region you see today. most loved outdoor adventure resorts. Roads can be icy or snowbound in winter, so seek local more of the South. Rewarding detours lead to other special corners of Otago such advice, stay alert and drive to the conditions. Dunedin’s museums and remarkable architecture tell of the as Naseby, Roxburgh, Glenorchy and Wanaka. region’s history as New Zealand’s first big city, built on wool Visit journeys.nzta.govt.nz for up-to-date road conditions. and gold. Today, it is renowned for special wildlife, spectacular Storyboards at heritage sites and viewpoints share many Plan your journey at beaches and thriving urban culture. fascinating tales from Otago’s past and present. Disclaimer: Every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained within this Guide is correct at the time of printing. The products and centralotagotouringroute.co.nz services set out in this publication are subject to change or withdrawal without Suggested itineraries cater to all interests, time and budgets – notice at any time. Tourism Central Otago expressly disclaims liability to any entity for any loss, cost or damage whatsoever arising out of, or connected with visit our website to start planning. its reliance on the contents of this brochure.