Lake Dunstan is a recreational paradise. Its clear waters are made for fishing, water-skiing, swimming, boating of all kinds, windsurfing and picnicking. Boating activities can be arranged A man-made lake, it was formed after the Clyde dam was constructed. Guided fishing trips can be arranged.
Considering biking some or all of the Central
Rail Trail. We can provide you with accommodation, pick you up or drop you off at the Rail Trail, and arrange other activities for you while you are in the area.
Several wineries and vineyards are located in the area — some with restaurants and all with excellent wines to try. Pinot Noir is the major grape variety grown and the Cromwell Basin produces powerful concentrated grapes that produce wines ranging from perfumed and spicy to the fruitier plummier wines. Pinot Gris is the second most planted variety. Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are the other key wines grown. Tours can be arranged www.slspectrum.co.nz
Visit the wineries and try the wine. A visit to the Big
Picture Wine Experience and restaurant rounds out your wine adventure.
The region's many orchards have delicious fruit in season with cherries, apricots, peaches and apples being the predominant crops.
The area has a rich heritage based on gold mining.
The Otago Goldfields Heritage Trail covers 22 sites, mainly in Central
Otago. The huge Bannockburn sluicings at Cromwell are part of the trail
and well worth a visit. A signposted walk is the easiest way to see this
area. Cromwell owes its existence to the discovery of gold in 1862 and
the old town is part of this history. Old Cromwell town is all that remains
of the business district that was drowned when the lake was filled. Explore
the shops and other buildings. A visit to the Goldfields
Mining Centre in the Kawarau Gorge is recommended.
There are several excellent walks in the
area — for a leisurely stroll or for the more serious walker.
Four-wheel driving is a popular pastime with many excellent tracks.
The Cromwell Golf Course is in very close proximity. This is an 18-hole course which is noted for its excellent conditions.
Winter visitors can visit any of the excellent ski fields in the area — Cardrona, Wairau Snow Farm, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone. All are within easy driving distance.
Go shopping in the mall and try out the town's restaurants.
And for the more adventurous try sky-diving, para-sailing, white-water rafting or compete in the area's numerous multi-sport events*.
* Check out the Cromwell Summer Series with 6 multi-sport events. Participants have a chance to win accommodation at Central Gold Motel.
Events Calendar
23 January
Cromwell Classic car and Hot Rod festival
28/31 Michael Hill classic at Arrowtown
5-6 February
Speedway- NZ Sprint car Championships
20 February
Speedway - NZ Sidecar grand prix
27-28 February
Wakeboarding Champs
6 March
Central Speedway Club Champs
7 March
Gallup South Cromwell Race day
2-4 April
Warbirds Over Wanaka
National Oreinteering Championships
Australasian Junior Canoeing Champs
Easter craft Show
3 April
Carricktown Crushers MTB
Central Speedway Easter Champs
4 April
Speedway Easter Champs
5 April
Fair day OldCromwellTown
10 April
Heli Bike Rac
See details on these activities and an awful lot more on the Cromwell Information Centre website at
