Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
It's also at the very heart of the prestigious Central Otago wine region
(
www.cowa.org.nz
)
, known for its extraordinarily good pinot noir and, to a lesser extent,
riesling, pinot gris and chardonnay. The Cromwell Basin - which stretches from Ban-
nockburn, 5km southwest of Cromwell, to north of Lake Dunstan - accounts for over
70% of Central Otago's total wine production. Pick up the
Central Otago Wine Map
for
details of upwards of three dozen local wineries.
Sights & Activities
Old Cromwell Town
HISTORIC BUILDING
(
www.oldcromwell.co.nz
)
When the Clyde Dam was completed in 1992, it flooded the ori-
ginal Cromwell village including the town centre, 280 homes, six farms and 17 orchards.
Many historic buildings were disassembled before the flooding and have since been re-
built in a pedestrianised precinct beside Lake Dunstan. While some have been set up as
period pieces (stables and the like), others house some good cafes, galleries and interest-
ing shops. In summer there's an excellent weekly
farmers market
(
9am-1pm Sun Nov-
Feb)
and monthly
craft market
(10am-2pm every 3rd Sun Nov-Feb)
.
Highlands Motorsport Park
MOTOR SPORTS
( 03-445 4052;
www.highlands.co.nz
;
cnr SH6 & Sandflat Rd; 10am-5pm)
Transformed
from a paddock into a topnotch 4km racing circuit in just 18 months, this revheads' para-
dise hosted its first major event in 2013 - the inaugural three-day Highlands 101, now
scheduled to take place every November.
Outside of the big events, budding speed freaks can start out on the go-karts ($35 per
10 minutes) before taking a 200km/h ride in the Highlands Taxi ($75 for two people),
completing three laps of the circuit as a passenger in a Porsche GT3 ($295), or having a
go at the wheel of a Suzuki Swift GT3 ($295).
If you'd prefer a less racy experience, the
National Motorsport Museum
(adult/child
$20/8)
showcases racing cars and displays about Kiwi racing legends such as Bruce
McLaren, Possum Bourne, Emma Gilmour and Scott Dixon. Plus there's free minigolf.
Goldfields Jet
JETBOATING
( 03-445 1038;
www.goldfieldsjet.co.nz
; adult/child $95/49)
Zip through the Kawarau
Gorge on a 40-minute jetboat ride.
Tours
