New Zealand Guide
Central Otago
Wedged between the sodden beech forests of Fiordland, the fertile plains of south Canterbury, the city of Dunedin and the sheep country of Southland lies Central Otago, a region encompassing Queenstown, Wanaka and the surrounding Gold Country. Rolling, deserted hills to the east give way to the sharper profiles of the mountains around Queenstown and Wanaka, which rub shoulders with the final glaciated flourish of the Southern Alps.
This is the adventure-activity capital of New Zealand; above all at beautiful Queenstown and the many spectacular rivers and lakes nearby. For all Queenstown's appeal, though, you'll soon be looking for a break, something easily done in neighbouring Arrowtown, an extremely popular day-trip destination which wears its gold heritage well. Here it's possible to visit the intriguing remains of a former Chinese settlement and take a day-long walk to the defunct gold mines around the nearby ghost town of Macetown. Some of the country's most exalted multi-day tramps start from the nearby town of Glenorchy.
The glacially scoured, three-sided pinnacle of "the Matterhorn of the South" forms the centrepiece of the Mount Aspiring National Park. This permanently snowcapped alpine high country is linked by the alluring Matukituki Valley to the small and expanding resort town of Wanaka, slung around the placid waters of its eponymous lake. Wanaka's laid-back atmosphere stands in marked contrast to the frenetic bustle of Queenstown, though there's no shortage of operators keen to take you canyoning, skydiving, jetboating, rock climbing or on any number of other pursuits.
From June to October the region's focus switches to skiing, with Queenstown acting as a base for the downhill resorts of Coronet Peak and the Remarkables, while Wanaka serves the Cardrona and Treble Cone fields, as well as the Snow Farm Nordic field.
Highlights
1 Nevis Highwire Bungy Test your nerve on the Nevis; New Zealand's biggest elasticated leap is from a hut suspended harrowingly high above a plunging canyon.
2 Shotover River Take a jetboat ride down through an iconic part of the New Zealand adventure landscape.
3 Arrowtown An atmospheric old mining town with narrow, leafy streets to wander, and good walks possible in the surrounding valleys.
4 The Routeburn Track Lush bush, alpine scenery and the camaraderie of backcountry huts combine to make this one of New Zealand's best tramps.
5 Canyoning Get intimate with one of the Matukituki Valley's verdant canyons – about the most fun you can have in a wetsuit.
6 Otago Central Rail Trail Absorb the rural pleasures of the Maniototo region on this three-day cycle ride along a former rail line, complete with tunnels and viaducts.