Central Otago District: Trails, Gold History and Art

The Bannockburn Sluicings reveal a scarred landscape shaped by a fleeting gold-mining era. The traces of gold mining are part of its character. A variety of routes provide access to the Sluicings on foot or by bike—a way to experience the landscape in motion and at your own pace.

Choose trails by time and activity

The Otago Central Rail Trail is 152 kilometres long, graded 1, and suitable for trips of one to five days. Walkers, cyclists and horse riders can use it; it can also be ridden in either direction and accessed at various points. Along the way, the trail passes through mountainous, dry landscapes and river gorges, past tunnels, viaducts, historic homes and preserved gold-mining settlements. It brings together activity, landscape and history. The stated duration provides a guide for planning without requiring you to commit to a single daily distance.

A 100-kilometre network of mountain bike trails is available in Naseby Forest. Grades range from 1 to 5, catering to everyone from beginners to advanced riders. This differs from the consistent grading of the Otago Central Rail Trail: Naseby offers a range of difficulty levels within one trail network. Check trail access and conditions before setting out.

The Roxburgh Gorge Trail combines a 21-kilometre bike ride with a 13-kilometre boat trip. It is graded 2–3 and designed for a one-day trip. Along the Clutha Mata-au River, it passes eroded rock faces and old gold-mining sites. The combination of biking and boating makes for a different kind of day trip than the multi-day journey on the Otago Central Rail Trail.

The Lake Dunstan Trail runs between Cromwell and Clyde, following the shores of Lake Dunstan and passing through the renowned wine-growing area of Bannockburn, Cornish Point and Cromwell Gorge. There are opportunities for swimming, boating and other water sports along much of the route. The trail also shares modern, pioneering and Māori stories, some of which come to life in the Clyde and Cromwell Historical Precinct. Landscape, water activities and history sit side by side here, though not every activity is available at every section of the trail.

Gold history, art and local experiences

For a look at the history of gold mining, the Otago Goldfields Heritage Trail offers more than 20 historic sites accessible on foot, by bike or by car. Examples include Mitchell’s Cottage, Earnscleugh Dredge Tailings, Bald Hill Flat and Dead Horse Pinch. On the Central Otago Arts Trail, you can visit galleries and meet artists in their studios. Sculptures and murals are also part of the trail, each with its own story. The cultural offering thus ranges from historic sites to art that can be explored in different ways.

Orchards around Roxburgh and Cromwell offer guided tours or pick-your-own experiences. Availability may vary by orchard and harvest season, so check what is on offer in advance. Wine and food are also at the heart of several events, including the Clyde Food & Wine Festival, Cromwell’s National Cherry Festival and Alexandra’s Basin New Release Tasting. Before making plans, check whether the events mentioned are taking place on your travel dates.

Getting there and planning your stay

Flights to Queenstown or Dunedin are options for getting to Central Otago. From there, you can rent a vehicle, take a bus or book a guided tour. As general travel options may change, check current arrangements before your trip. When looking for a hotel, your planned focus can be a useful starting point—for example, a multi-day trail trip, a day trip by bike and boat, or a visit to historic sites, galleries and events. This lets you choose where to stay based on the experiences that matter to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Cromwell, Clyde, Kokonga, Ranfurly, Alexandra, Roxburgh, Kyeburn Diggings, Naseby, Omakau, Patearoa, Conroys Gully, Lindis Valley, Millers Flat, Coal Creek Flat, Waipiata, Queensbury, Oturehua, Chatto Creek, Tarras, Lauder and Earnscleugh.

For the broader travel overview: Otago.