Otago is a region of New Zealand located in the southern half of the South Island administered by the Otago Regional Council. It has an area of approximately 32,000 square kilometres (12,000 sq mi), making it the country's second largest local government region. Its population was 254,600 in June 2023.
Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is the seat and largest town in the Queenstown-Lakes District.
Cromwell is a town in Central Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand. Cromwell is located on the shores of Lake Dunstan where the Kawarau river joins Lake Dunstan. Cromwell was established during the Otago gold rush and is now more known as one of the sub regions of the Central Otago wine region. In 2018, the town of Cromwell was home to a population of 5610 people.
The Kawarau River is a river in the South Island of New Zealand. It drains Lake Wakatipu in northwestern Otago via the lake's Frankton Arm. The river flows generally eastwards for about 60 kilometres (37 mi) and passes through the steep Kawarau Gorge until it joins Lake Dunstan near Cromwell. Before the construction of the Clyde High Dam, the Kawarau joined the Clutha River / Mata-Au in a spectacular confluence at Cromwell. The Shotover River enters the Kawarau from the north; the Nevis River enters it from the south. With many rapids and strong currents, the river can be dangerous and has claimed many lives. It is popular for bungy jumping and kayaking.
Lake Wakatipu is an inland lake in the South Island of New Zealand. It is in the southwest corner of the Otago region, near its boundary with Southland. Lake Wakatipu comes from the original Māori name Whakatipu wai-māori.
Martinborough is a town in the South Wairarapa District, in the Wellington region of New Zealand. It is 65 kilometres east of Wellington and 35 kilometres south-west of Masterton. The town has a resident population of 2,060.
The Central Otago wine region is a geographical indication in New Zealand's South Island, and the world's southernmost commercial wine growing region. While Central Otago is best known for Pinot Noir, many white wine varieties are also popular.
Two Paddocks is a wine producer based in Central Otago, New Zealand. It is owned and operated by actor Sam Neill.
New Zealand wine is produced in several of its distinct winegrowing regions. As an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, New Zealand has a largely maritime climate, although its elongated geography produces considerable regional variation from north to south. Like many other New World wines, New Zealand wine is usually produced and labelled as single varietal wines, or if blended, winemakers list the varietal components on the label. New Zealand is best known for its Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and more recently its dense, concentrated Pinot Noir from Marlborough, Martinborough and Central Otago.
Frankton is a suburb of the town of Queenstown in the South Island of New Zealand, it was formerly a separate settlement.
State Highway 6 is a major New Zealand state highway. It extends from the Marlborough region in the northeastern corner of the South Island across the top of the island, then down the length of the island, initially along the West Coast and then across the Southern Alps through inland Otago and finally across the Southland Plains to the island's south coast. Distances are measured from north to south.
The Kawarau Gorge is a major river gorge created by the Kawarau River in Central Otago, in the South Island of New Zealand. The towns of Queenstown and Cromwell are linked by State Highway 6 through the gorge.
The Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge spans the Kawarau River in the Otago region in the South Island of New Zealand. The bridge is mainly used for commercial purposes by the AJ Hackett Bungy Company for bungy jumping - the world's first commercial bungy jumping site. The bridge carries walkers, runners and bikers on the Queenstown Trail over the river.
The Wakatipu Basin is a plain surrounded by mountains in Queenstown Lakes District, in the southern South Island of New Zealand.
Bannockburn is a small historic gold mining town located outside of Cromwell in Central Otago, New Zealand.
The Queenstown Trail is a cycle and walking trail funded as one of the projects of the New Zealand Cycle Trail (NZCT) system in Otago, New Zealand. It links the towns of Queenstown, Arrowtown, the suburb of Jack's Point and the area of Gibbston. It is at least 110 km in length but is not linear and instead follows the terrain often near rivers and lakes to link key places in a series of tracks that also access public land. In some places it also passes through private land such as working farms and users are encouraged to stay on the trail. The trail is a joint venture between the Government, Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Queenstown Trails Trust.
Lake Hayes Estate is a town nearby to Queenstown in the South Island of New Zealand. It is named after and situated near Lake Hayes; however, the lake is not visible from most parts of the estate. The population of the town was 2,630 as of June 2023. The main access to Lake Hayes Estate is off State Highway 6. To the west is the newer sub division of Shotover Country which can be accessed via Jones Road.
Jack's Point is a luxury estate in Central Otago, New Zealand, covering 1,200 hectares of land. It is located 6 km south of Queenstown, at the foot of The Remarkables and close to the edge of Lake Wakatipu. It is known for its golf course. It is rated among the top 10 lifestyle estates in the world.
Kelvin Peninsula is a peninsula on the shore of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand's Otago Region. The peninsula lies between the main body of Lake Wakatipu and the lake's Frankton Arm and its outlet, the Kawarau River. The centre of Queenstown lies on the opposite shore of the Frankton Arm. The peninsula was formerly called Kelvin Heights Peninsula. The name Kelvin Heights is still used for the Queenstown suburb which sits on the peninsula.
The Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park is a dark-sky preserve located between Cromwell and Queenstown in the Queenstown-Lakes District in the South Island of New Zealand. It covers an area of 25 km2 (9.7 sq mi) along a section of the Kawarau River, and is centred on the small community of Gibbston. The Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park was accredited as an International Dark Sky Park by DarkSky International in May 2024. It is the first dark sky preserve to be accredited in the Otago Region, the seventh dark sky preserve in New Zealand, and the third International Dark Sky Park in the country.
