Activities & Attractions

Take your pick......

Relax under clear skies and summer sun, swim or fish in lakes, rivers and dams, take advantage of excellent sporting facilities including golf courses, swimming pools, tennis, squash, artificial hockey turf, or watch a cricket match.

Take a hike or ride into the back country by mountain bike, horse or four wheel drive for some spectacular views; glide down the silent waters of the Roxburgh Gorge in a canoe or experience the breath-taking scenery by jet boat.

Winter is playtime in Central, so if the mountains beckon, go! Take your pick of four major ski-fields all less than 90 minutes away. Enjoy Alexandra's own Olympic sized ice rink, ski-mobile over the Old Man Range or take in the scenery at your own pace on cross country skis.

Windsurf on Lake Dunstan or Butcher's Dam, visit town and country gardens, shops, old goldmining towns and historic sites, or sample wines from local vineyards. The district is well serviced with camping grounds, motor lodges, motels and hotels to accommodate travellers. Once you get here - you'll want to stay

Pay less than $25 per round at any of the 11 golf courses, fish for trout, swim or boat in turquoise blue rivers and lakes in inspiring locations. If the mood takes you, follow a garden or wine trail, visit one of the many art and craft galleries, or stock up on supplies from our many shops.

You will be sure to have a holiday based on an easy, unhurried, outdoor lifestyle.

Step Back in Time...
Retrace the steps of the hardy pioneers who carved their living from this harsh and often unforgiving environment.
Relive their experiences in the many museums and historic sites preserved by the dry Central Otago climate.
You will see for yourself intriguing architecture ranging from 1860’s stone buildings in small country towns with names such as Ophir, St Bathans, Clyde, Naseby and Old Cromwell, to 1930’s art deco in Ranfurly. And if you get off the tar sealed roads, the hills are hiding many secrets for you to discover by foot, mountain bike, 4WD drive or horse.

Colour Me Central...
You will find many colourful displays in this magic four season destination. Vast rolling hills are always golden, except in spring (Sep – Nov) when wild thyme creeps over them in a distinctive purple carpet and the view softens as blossoms adorn the trees.
Searing hot in summer (Dec – Feb), the rocky walls warm up in a slow bake, and the roadside is a jumble of colours. The golden leaves of autumn (Mar – May) adorn the trees, making it a photographer’s paradise.
In winter (Jun – Aug), hoar frosts colour the trees and fence posts an eerie white and you can experience unique activities such as curling.

Average max temp in summer is 24°C, and in winter is 8°C. Annual Rainfall: 358mm and

Average Sunshine: 1980 hours

Flavours to fashion...
Indulge in the Pinot Noir heartland – fine wine and foods.
A rare place where the sweet fruit juice of just-plucked peaches dribbles down the chin. Chefs love it, - gathering wild herbs and fresh produce for their restaurants and cafés.
Chill out at a famous Central Otago country pub for a much needed drink, or pack a picnic of Central Otago gourmet foods and fresh Central Otago fruit and take to the hills in search of a schist rock with a view, to have lunch upon.
Where the land appears barren, merino sheep graze to produce some of the finest wool in the world. This is transformed into high fashion clothing found in leading fashion houses all over the world.