3 minute read
Cromwell Must Do's
Heritage Precinct - In 1992 the construction of Clyde Dam caused mass flooding of Cromwell. Some historic buildings were saved and rebuilt as the Heritage Precinct. Now sitting handsomely on the banks of Lake Dunstan, it’s packed with cafés, art galleries and specialist shops.
Lake Dunstan - Jut above the Clyde dam, this large man-made lake beckons swimmers, water skiers and boaties.
The Harvest Hotel - Throw open your French doors every morning to unveil breath-taking mountain, vineyard and rural views. Cosy up in their hunting lodge style restaurant packed with historic memorabilia.
The Stoaker Room - Talented chefs cook and prepare your food in pinot noir barrels that are made from French oak and have been converted into cooking devices. The result is a barbecue-meets-smoker taste sensation.
Highlands Motorsport Park - Absolutely packed full with adrenalin pumping go-karting and muscle car experiences, a sculpture park and motorsport museum with a VR ‘Young Guns’ room. Then when you’ve gotta go, their novel loo with a view is essential to visit.
© Highlands, Cromwell
Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail - This newly opened 55km bike ride connects Cromwell to Clyde by tracing the edges of Cromwell Gorge and straddling its sheer cliffside by means of ingenious bridges ‘clipped’ into the rock. Highlights include an 85km-long suspension bridge, stunning lake views and Coffee Afloat, a surprising floating coffee shop.
Giant Fruit Sculpture - Because this region is nicknamed the Fruit Bowl of the South, on the outskirts of Cromwell there is a giant fruit sculpture, comprising an apple, pear, nectarine and apricot.
Suncrest Orchard - Try Central Otago’s famously juicy fruit. Mrs Jones’ Fruit Stall is open daily from 8.30am until 5.30pm. You can lick on a fresh fruit ice cream in the adjoining English-style garden or pucker up for some pinot port at the orchard’s tasting room.
Goldfields Mining Centre - Gold mining comes spectacularly back to life with a working stamper battery (once used to crush gold-bearing ore) operating sluice machines, a replica Chinese village and gold panning.
Cloudy Bay Cellar Door - Is there any better way to spend an afternoon than with wine, cheese and knockout scenery? Move between indoor and outdoor tasting spaces, laze by the fireplace or swing from an egg chair.
The Bannockburn Sluicings Scenic Reserve - The gold-mining era came and went, leaving a land scarred by excavation. Discover a barren yet fascinating landscape on this 3.5km looped walk and Grade 3 mountain biking trail.
Te Kano Estate, Bannockburn © Destination Clutha
TOP TIP: From October through to Easter, a lively Sunday market takes place at the Cromwell Heritage Precinct between 9am and 1pm.
Misha’s Vineyard Tasting Room - The region is bountiful with wineries but if you are short on time then a trip to Misha’s Vineyard is a given.
