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Cromwell, also known as the "Fruit Bowl of the south" is situated in the Upper Clutha valley, on Lake Dunstan in Central Otago, at the cross roads of State Highway 6 and State Highway 8. Alexandra is 33 km south, Wanaka is 50 km north and Queenstown is 60 km west. The road to Alexandra winds through the Cromwell Gorge.

Gold was discovered at the junction of the Kawarau and Clutha rivers in In 1862, which lead to the arrival of tens of thousands of miners. When the goldrush was over the Cromwell area became a centre for agriculture.

The town originally was situated at the junction of the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers. The Clyde Dam was opened in 1994, after plenty of controversy, flooding the valley and creating Lake Dunstan behind the dam(Lake Dunstan is 26.4 square km in area) In preparation for this approximately one third of the town was relocated to higher ground, including most of the old town, now called "Old Cromwell Town". Today Old Cromwell Town is home to the local craftspeople and a café. You will enjoy a stroll around this historic precinct located at the end of Melmore Terrace. Open every day, the entry is free.

The filling of Lake Dunstan brought major changes to Cromwell. Gone are the two wild rivers, but now there is a beautiful new lake with perfect fishing, swimming, waterskiing and boating options. Acres of orchards were lost, but Cromwell has since become the fruit and wine centre of the south. Cromwell's original commercial area was drowned, but there is now a pleasant new town centre with modern facilities. The old bridge that crossed where the two rivers met still stands, but now underwater, some say that it still has a car parked on it, bring your diving gear and find out if that’s true for yourself.

The Clyde Dam is the largest concrete gravity fed dam in New Zealand, it stands at 100 metres high and took one million cubic metres of concrete to construct it. The Clyde Hydro Power Station can turn out 445MW of power which is enough to supply Christchurch and Dunedin with electricity.

Cromwell's accommodation offers a wonderful selection for the discerning traveller, ranging from backpackers to four star plus motel facilities, bed and breakfasts, apartments, condominiums, camping grounds, luxury lodges, holiday homes, hotels, and farmstays, many in historic buildings and most add a personal touch from their dedicated owners.