Top Things to do in Central Otago
What to do and see in Central Otago, South Island: The Best Nature & Parks
Discover the best top things to do in Central Otago, New Zealand including Otago Central Rail Trail, Clutha Gold Trail, Falls Dam, Roxburgh Gorge Trail, Pioneer Park, Old Dunstan Road, Alexandra to Clyde River Track, Flat Top Hill Conservation Area, Bannockburn Sluicings Walks, Lindis Pass.
Restaurants in Central Otago
1. Otago Central Rail Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,149 reviews
The Otago Central Rail Trail - New Zealand's Original Great Ride. Open all year round this cycleway takes you through 152kms of remarkable Central Otago landscape away from roads and vehicles, yet never far from the next town. Whether you start from Clyde or Middlemarch, the wide easy gradient is suitable for riders, walkers and cyclists of all ages. You may choose to go solo, or share the experience with friends, either way it's a trail of discovery best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Discover historic villages, enjoy local food and drink and the famous southern hospitality. As you travel through this untamed natural environment there is plenty to explore on and off the trail. Don't miss this 'must do' experience.
Reviewed By talloaks1
We completed the Otago rail trail at the beginning of this week starting in Clyde and ending in Middlemarch. We had an awesome tour operator Nick, who went above and beyond and organised awesome accommodation including his own home, a well appointed home near St Bathans. We loved the whole experience including curling in Naseby. Highly recommend, especially on an E - bike for this 58 year old!
2. Clutha Gold Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 100 reviews
The Clutha Gold Trail is one of the ‘Great Rides’ of Nga Haerenga The New Zealand Cycle Trail. Open year-round, this smooth, wide, well-formed trail over undulating, flat and meandering terrain requires moderate fitness. Whether you walk or ride, the trail offers a unique heritage experience in a diverse and stunning landscape - a journey of discovery around every corner.
Reviewed By Kiwibird248 - Christchurch, New Zealand
This trail has a different character to the Roxburgh Gorge Trail and the Otago Rail Trail. The first section from the Roxburgh Dam is beside the river. Millers Flat is a lovely place to stop for refreshments. In the following section from Millers Flat to Beaumont it is worth taking the time to visit the bridge at Horseshoe Bend. And, prior to Lawrence the Big Hill Tunnel is fun to ride through. It is a pleasant and peaceful trail on a well-maintained track.
3. Falls Dam
4. Roxburgh Gorge Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 103 reviews
Open all year round, the trail is a well-formed 2.5 metre wide gravel surface with some climbs. It will take up to four or five hours to complete depending on how you choose to experience it. The trail’s proximity to the Otago Central Rail Trail and the Clutha Gold Trail will also ensure that visitors to the area will have the opportunity to experience even more of Central Otago’s unique scenery.
Reviewed By brentloe54 - Auckland, New Zealand
A great trail not hard or technically or physically challenging and suitable for bikers with a moderate level of fitness. The first 10km is low down to the water then an interesting 40-45 minute jet boat ride seeing gold mining relics between doctors pt and shingle creek and then completing the gradual uphill climb up to the rim of the gorge and then down and around to the Roxburgh Dam to trail end A good well graded trail with fantastic rocky open scenery
5. Pioneer Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By mgreaney2018 - Wellington, New Zealand
The park is central so easy to find. I especially love the well maintained gardens. There was a beautiful display of bearded irises and peonies when I was there
6. Old Dunstan Road
7. Alexandra to Clyde River Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By jonathank893 - Inverness, United Kingdom
This track which follows the Clutha is much nicer, and no longer that the rail trail route, which, especially if there is a head wind, is just a flat boring slog. The little twists and turns and small undulations add interest, and on a hot summer day the shade from the trees is always welcome.
8. Flat Top Hill Conservation Area
9. Bannockburn Sluicings Walks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By kestonr2018 - Wellington, New Zealand
We visited the Bannockburn Sluicings Walks yesterday and walked the loop track in an anticlockwise direction. The walk was fantastic and the landscape, like many others have said, was like very few others you will see on walks in New Zealand. It was especially meaningful to myself as my great great grandfather was a digger at Bannockburn and was actually arrested there with some of his colleagues in 1870 for sheep rustling. Awesome to see the type of place he would have been living in at the time. But back to the walk, as others have said, it takes about one and a half hours to do the loop track and take in Stewart Town. We did it in this time with three children and a certain amount of photo taking and climbing in and out of tunnels. The view from the top is awesome. We went in the steeper direction as climbing up into Bailey’s Gully seemed to provide a scenic view on the way up. Coming down the other side was then a gentle, easy roll back down to the carpark. It is quite cool and damp in Central Otago at the moment when compared to normal summer temperatures, meaning it was sunny but cool when we did the walk. This was a good thing as I can imagine it gets pretty hot and dry out the track on other days. The wild thyme added to the goldfields feel. As others have said, you can smell it all around the track. The information boards around the track were very informative, although the walking times for return to the carpark at various points were a bit askew. We also visited the General Store at Bannockburn township. There is an old slicing jet sitting outside the front which was helpful for explaining to my kids what had caused the landscape. In all, even if you aren’t descended from a miner I would highly recommend this walk!
10. Lindis Pass
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By WordChristchurch - Christchurch, New Zealand
This is a dramatic, and visually stunning part ofthe South Island in New Zealand. Lovely road. Enjoy it.
