11 minute read
ROAD TRIP WANAKA TO DUNEDIN
Start the day at Wanaka
Wanaka to Cromwell via SH 6 40min, 54.1km
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Cromwell to Clyde via SH 8 17min, 23.2km
SIDE TRIP : Otago Central Rail Trail via Clyde, Ōmakau, St Bathans, Ranfurly & Middlemarch 150km
Clyde to Alexandra via Sunderland St & SH 8 6min 7.3km
Alexandra to Milton via SH 8 1hr 44min, 138km
Milton to Dunedin via SH 1 40min, 54.2km
Lion statue at Larnach Castle, Dunedin © Adobe Stock
Wave goodbye to Wanaka and head to Dunedin, a city at the head of Otago Harbour on the southeast coast.
As you make your way inland down SH 8, you’ll pass stone fruit orchards and rolling farmland heading towards Cromwell. You’ll want to lap up the lakeside scenery at the treasure trove of activities and attractions in Cromwell, the farthest inland town in New Zealand.
Next, you’ll make your way to the historic township of Clyde on the banks of the Clutha River, to marvel at the rugged landscape decorated with dark schist rocks and wild tussocks. Then it’s a very short trek to sunny,welcoming Alexandra.
Head towards Milton which lies on the flood plain of the Tokomairiro River. From there, you’re on the home stretch to Dunedin, following SH 1 across the farmland of the Taieri Plains.
Sweetening the deal on this already sweet route is a side trip to Otago Central Rail Trail.
© AA Traveller 2021
OTAGO CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL
Otago Central Rail Trail © Central Otago Tourism
New Zealand’s original ‘Great Ride’, this is a 152km walking, cycling and horse riding track through the valleys between Middlemarch and Clyde. A pioneering project for New Zealand, the trail is all offroad, no traffic so you can enjoy the peace and quiet of a route through historic gold-mining villages, rugged scenery and distinctive landscapes.
Walking in Clyde © Central Otago Tourism
There are river gorges, tunnels, viaducts, rocky landscapes and towering mountains along the way, as well as historic townships and settlements. Wholesome fare and great local vintages will ensure you remain well fed and watered.
St Bathans is a highlight. Located in the northern reaches of the Manuherikia Valley, St Bathans’ pretty Blue Lake is famous, as is the haunted Vulcan Hotel and the town’s quaint post office, bank, constable’s cottage and jail. St Alban’s Church is one of the first prefabricated buildings in the country.
On the trail, you’ll also get to check out historic Clyde; Ōmakau, on the north west bank of the Manuherikia River; Ranfurly, which is famous for its art deco architecture; and Middlemarch’s moon-like landscape.
HIGHLIGHTS
ARAMOANA BEACH AND THE MOLE This is a boardwalk and salt marsh experience on the edge of Otago Harbour that suits all ages and abilities – big tick! Watch the albatross frolicking in their natural habitat on Taiaroa Head before you follow the track and boardwalk to a giant sand hill.
MOSGIEL is part of Dunedin, separated by hills, but it could be many miles away. It’s a rural town, important to the Taieri Plains farming community, and is a delightful place to visit for its quiet streets, its walking paths and its pretty parks and gardens.
RANFURLY is a bustling place celebrated as an excellent example of an art deco town. Particularly attractive is the former Centennial Milk Bar. Visit the Rural Art Deco Gallery and refurbished railway station which houses displays and an audio-visual presentation revealing the town’s stories.
NASEBY If you’re intrigued by the sport of curling, this is your town. Naseby, resplendent in Victorian architecture, is also home to a snow and ice luge track. It’s also a great place for walking and mountain biking adventures.
Naseby © Central Otago Tourism
MIDDLEMARCH An hour’s drive from Dunedin and the starting or finishing point for the Otago Central Rail Trail. Visit the craft gallery and museum, or enjoy the quiet rural backroads on foot or by push bike.
TAPANUI Between Dunedin and Gore, Tapanui is surrounded by rolling green hills, farmland, forestry and mountains. Discover walks, fishing, golf and a Vintage Machinery Museum.
CROMWELL In 1992 the construction of Clyde Dam caused mass flooding of Cromwell. Some historic buildings were saved and rebuilt as the Heritage Precinct, now a mecca of cafés, art galleries and specialist shops.
DUNEDIN BREWERIES Book an excellent Dunedin brewery tour at both Speight’s Brewery and Emerson’s Brewery. Passionate guides are animated and informative, with beer samples aplenty.
HIGHLANDS Home to all manner of motoring experiences. Check out the race park’s outrageous toilets. Each wacky WC has one-way glass windows and impressive racetrack views.
WEATHERSTONS BREWERY & DAFFODILS Come spring, this Lawrence based attraction is awash with daffodils. There’s also a waterfall, woodland garden, brewery ruins and rhododendron forest here.
The Roxburgh Gorge Trail © Central Otago Tourism
CLYDE is an historic township beside the Clutha River and marks the official start – or end – of the Otago Central Rail Trail. Producing some of New Zealand’s superior wines and fresh fruits, Clyde is quite the legend in these parts for its superlative produce.
Once home to a booming gold rush, there’s a sweet vintage vibe in the form of a quaint and intact historic precinct, Sunderland Street. Here you can explore original stone walls and kerb sides, along with a collective of buildings that have proudly survived the test of time such as the post office, courthouse and Clyde Railway Station.
Clyde is also home to a hydro-electric dam; you can see it aboard a jet ski and then give jet boating, water skiing and boating a whirl on Lake Dunstan.
MILTON wears its pledge to be ‘the town of opportunities’ as a badge of honour. Like Clyde, there is a robust historic heartbeat here with some significant buildings including The Old Sod Cottage which originated in the 1860s as a sanctuary for miners on their way to the Tuapeka goldfields. McGill’s Flour Mill, Tokomairiro Church and the Bruce Woollen Mill are also worth a look.
ROXBURGH between Alexandra and Milton in the Teviot Valley is famous for its orchards. When you’ve enjoyed your fill of sweet summer fruits, you can earn some action and adventure stripes on the scenic trails navigating craggy mountain ranges and perfecting your kayaking stroke on Lake Roxburgh, which reaches almost 30km towards Alexandra.
LAWRENCE Soak up the rich heritage in the lovely town of Lawrence, where one of the world’s largest gold rushes took place. The Clutha Gold Cycle Trail, one of the New Zealand Great Rides, starts (or concludes) here, passing through the settlements of Roxburgh, Millers Flat and Beaumont en route. The 73km bike trail embraces Otago’s rich heritage and stunning scenery and is classed as an easy trail, suitable for all.
While the quota of gold has decreased, Lawrence’s ambitious spirit lives on. Take a spin on the mighty Clutha River in a jet boat, visit the historic site of the largest Chinese gold-mining camp in New Zealand, 1km north of town, or take a self guided walking tour through Gabriel Gully historic reserve. Quirky shops, a vibrant café culture and quality accommodation are also all part of this community’s charm.
ALEXANDRA
Alexandra’s Clock on the Hill © Central Otago Tourism
ICEINLINE Discover the southern hemisphere’s largest outdoor ice skating rink – Olympic-sized no less.
CLOCK ON THE HILL Admire views across Alexandra from the enormous clock on the hill that has served the town for over 50 years.
CENTRAL STORIES MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY For insight into the region’s past, pop your head inside here and fill it with exhibits detailing bygone gold mining and local agriculture. Free entry.
JOLENDALE PARK Six hectares of tree and shrub species in a dry rock land setting, this parkland (on top of Alexandra’s Bridge Hill) is a year-round kaleidoscope of colour.
SHAKY BRIDGE An early suspension bridge made of gorgeous stacked stone.
FOOD & WINE Taste the world’s best pinot noir and fruit from the orchards.
DUNEDIN CITY & SURROUNDS
Larnach Castle Spring Garden sculpture © DunedinNZ
St Clair Beach, South DunedinALL IMAGES: © DunedinNZ
Go to THE OCTAGON which is the centre of the city’s shopping precinct. Several significant buildings are right here, including St Paul’s Cathedral, Dunedin Town Hall and Regent Theatre.
Visit DUNEDIN PUBLIC ART GALLERY also in The Octagon before walking 15 minutes to OCHO chocolatier for tours and sinfully delicious tastings.
DUNEDIN’S GARDENS are lovely. Pack a picnic and head to Dunedin Botanic Garden or the Dunedin Chinese Garden. Alternatively, GEORGE STREET ORCHARD is an inner-city oasis where visitors are privy to a myriad of gardening secrets when they take a tour.
For something different, TUNNEL BEACH is only accessible via a short, narrow tunnel, accessible at low tide.
Find a world-class collection of exhibits covering every worldly topic at OTAGO MUSEUM. Move between interactive science experiments to the planetarium and Animal Attic.
OTAGO PENINSULA
Albatross, Otago Peninsula © DunedinNZ
You have a unique opportunity to see royal albatross here, as Otago Peninsula has the only mainland breeding colony in the world.
The observatory at the Royal Albatross Centre is a good place to start exploring and to watch adult birds return from fishing at sea. Also out this way, is Penguin Place, home to the yellow-eyed penguin and a network of tunnels, hides and tracks.
You’ll see New Zealand fur seals, sea lions and little blue penguins on the peninsula, too. Ideally, join a guided tour, to ensure you don’t intrude on the lives of these creatures. Plus you’ll learn as you go.
Yellow-eyed penguin / hoiho, Otago Peninsula © Elm Wildlife
PORT CHALMERS A small historic town 15 minutes from Dunedin, with plenty of artists and musicians in residence, Port Chalmers has a good mix of galleries, cafés and heritage attractions. Visit the Port Chalmers Regional Maritime Museum; it’s housed in an original 1877 stone post office building. It tells the stories of early pioneers and Port characters who influenced and inspired the area over the years.
THE STEEPEST STREET After Wales briefly stole the title in 2019, Baldwin Street has since been re-crowned the world’s steepest street.
TOITU OTAGO SETTLERS MUSEUM This beautifully designed building houses one of the finest social history collections in the country. Its innovative and interactive displays take visitors on a journey from the arrival of the first tribes and settlers up to the present day.
LITERATURE & ARCHITECTURE Dunedin has more Edwardian and Victorian heritage buildings than any other city in the southern hemisphere and is recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature.
LARNACH CASTLE New Zealand’s only castle is also found on Otago Peninsula, Built in 1871 by William Larnach. Explore its splendid interior and the castle’s gardens which are a Garden of International Significance.
OLVESTON Designed by acclaimed English architect Sir Ernest George, this historic home offers six guided tours every day, so you can peruse the former family home of philanthropist David Theomin. Furnished with fine art, furniture and artefacts from all around the world, this precious time capsule is an authentic depiction of the life of a wealthy merchant family in the early part of the 20th century.
DUNEDIN PUBLIC ART GALLERY An absolutely stunning space that impresses from the foyer. Architecturally beautiful, modern exhibitions change regularly.
TOP WALKS
Vogels Street, Dunedin © DunedinNZ
SANDYMOUNT TRACK Thirty minutes from Dunedin, panoramic views over the hidden reaches of the Otago Peninsula can be found on this one-hour loop walk. Some seasonal restrictions apply.
DUNEDIN STREET ART TRAIL It’s hard to miss Dunedin’s giant street art, painted by both domestic and international artists. Grab a map from Dunedin i-SITE and find all 30-plus creations.
THE PINEAPPLE TRACK So called because in the 1920s a local grocer led guided walks here while also providing a snack of tinned pineapple. High above the tree line this two-hour hike affords fabulous views of Dunedin City and Taieri Plains.
OCHO CHOCOLATE WALK A guided, 90-minute walk through Dunedin’s most prominent areas, finishing with a tasting session at OCHO chocolate factory.
CITY WALKS Absorb Dunedin’s extensive assortment of Edwardian and Victorian heritage buildings by taking a tour with City Walks. One walk focuses on the city centre’s architecture while another winds its way through the revitalised Vogel Street.
Ranfurly © Central Otago Tourism
Main Image Above: Clutha Gold Trail © James Jubb / Central Otago Tourism
