Central Otago vineyards

Central Otago has an inland climate that provides the high temperature variation on which grapes thrive. Hot summer days end with refreshingly cool evenings, and the long autumns are sunny and fresh.

Central Otago's rocky soils were ground out of the mountains by ancient glaciers. They contain the much prized loess, a fine wind-blown chalky dust that produces great wines. The soils also have high mineral deposits which contribute to each wine's unique personality.

Rainfall is low and vast water supplies from high in the adjacent Southern Alps allow perfect moisture control through careful irrigation.

These ideal conditions were recognised by European wine growing experts in the late 1800s. In the 1880s a good sized vineyard was planted by Frenchman Jean Desire Feraud on land he purchased after striking gold near the town of Alexandra. But New Zealanders were beer drinkers and agriculture was pre-occupied with sheep and dairy farming. It wasn't until the 1980s that Central Otago rediscovered its new gold - wine.

Central Otago wines, particularly pinot noir, are now sought after by people all over the world. The award winning vineyards and the local lifestyle have attracted some very talented chefs to the region, so the dining experiences are as divine as the scenery and the wine.

St Bathans

In 1887, Saint Bathans was a bustling town with around 2,000 miners living in the immediate vicinity. Some of the buildings from that era remain today and little else has been added since, so it's very easy to imagine the town as it was during the gold rush.

The Vulcan Hotel, built in 1882, is a fine example of mud-brick construction. It's a great place to share tall stories over an ale or two, and offers meals and a small amount of comfortable accommodation. Overnighters should be aware that many people believe this fine public house has a resident ghost. The two-storey kauri (native hardwood) Post Office that opened in 1909 is also still in operation. Other historic buildings include the mud-brick Anglican Church built in 1882 and the stone school house.

Close to the town, the Blue Lake was created by extensive mining activity. Beginning in 1864, miners chipped and sluiced their way through the quartz rock of the 120 metre high Kildare Hill. By 1933 the hill had become a 168 metre deep pit. From the 1880s the miners used hydraulic lift technology, like a giant vacuum cleaner, to suck water and gravel out of the pit to where it could be worked for gold.

Mining was halted in 1934 because the sides of the pit were getting too close to the town. The huge hole was allowed to fill with water to create today's beautiful lake. The minerals in the surrounding rocks give the water an astonishing blue colour which is offset by surrounding columns of white quartz tailings.

Otago Central Rail Trail

For 150 scenic kilometres, the Otago Central Rail Trail crosses sub-alpine countryside between Clyde and Middlemarch. The rails, sleepers and loose bedding gravel from the abandoned railway have been removed, leaving a wide and well-formed path.

Free from concerns about passing road traffic, trail users can focus fully on the big-sky rolling landscapes that subtly change at every turn. Another benefit of this trail is that railways use bridges and tunnels to avoid steep inclines. To reflect the current purpose of the trail, all the bridges have been redecked and handrails have been added.

As each section of the original railway was constructed, small towns were built to house the workers. The settlements grew as some families stayed on to work the land or sell their metal, wood and stone working skills to local farmers. Highly talented stonemasons from the railway gangs constructed many attractive, sturdy buildings that proudly remain today. After a day on the trail, these towns offer comfortable accommodation and the chance to plan your next day over a relaxing drink and a hearty meal.