-	All photographs of Central Otago

Central Otago is located east of Dunedin, The towns of Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell, Roxburgh, Middlemarch and Ranfurly are all very handy to the historic Goldfields

Old trails that provided access for tens of thousands of miners in the gold rush of the late 1800s can still be seen winding over the hills, along with solid stone cottages, elaborate engineered water channels, mines, Millinions of cubic metres of tailings, machinery and anything associated with the gold rush.

Central Otago experiences a continental climate, having the hottest summers and coldest winters in New Zealand.

Hydroelectric dams along the Clutha River have formed Lake Roxburgh and Lake Dunstan. Power boating, fishing, wind surfing and sailing are all popular water sports here.

Wine has become one of central Otago's newest industries, with many of the wineries still small and offering tastings throughout the summer months.

The Otago Central Rail Trail stretches 150km from Clyde to Middlemarch on the Strath Taieri, which was the main transport route from the goldfield towns to Dunedin. In 1990 it was converted by DOC into a year-round recreational facility for hikers, horse trekkers and mountain-bikers to enjoy. Journeying along it is the perfect way to see the historic Goldfields.

The small villages along The Otago Central Rail Trail have all the amenities and comforts to make this a very pleasurable experience for all, offering excellent accommodation and refreshment options.