Central Otago District: Gold-mining landscapes and trails

In Central Otago District, you’ll encounter a wide variety of traces of gold mining, from the scarred Bannockburn Sluicings to old mining sites along the Roxburgh Gorge Trail. There are also cycling trails through river gorges and landscapes, arts experiences and regional food and wine. When planning your trip, you can start by considering which of these aspects interests you most.

Cycling trails, rivers and landscapes

The Bannockburn Sluicings are a scarred landscape shaped by a short-lived gold-mining era. A range of trails takes you through the area on foot or by bike. Along the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, you follow the Clutha Mata-au River past eroded rock faces and old gold-mining sites. The Lake Dunstan Trail runs between Cromwell and Clyde along the shores of Lake Dunstan and through the wine-growing areas of Bannockburn, Cornish Point and Cromwell Gorge. Along much of the trail, there are opportunities for swimming, boating and other water sports.

The Roxburgh Gorge Trail can be travelled in either direction on foot or by bike. For a one-day trip, it combines a 21-kilometre bike ride with a 13-kilometre boat trip; it is graded 2–3. In terms of both duration and mode of transport, it differs from the Otago Central Rail Trail: this trail is 152 kilometres long, graded 1, and suitable for trips of one to five days. It can be ridden in either direction, with access at various points, and is suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

The Otago Central Rail Trail also passes through varied landscapes: the route crosses mountainous, dry terrain, river gorges, tunnels and viaducts, and passes historic homes and preserved gold-mining settlements. The 135-kilometre Clutha Gold Trail takes in landscapes ranging from the rugged, semi-arid drylands of Central Otago through green, rolling farmland to forested areas. The trail runs between Roxburgh Dam in Central Otago and Waihola in the Clutha region. This easy cycling and walking trail is intended for two- to four-day trips and is graded 1–2.

For mountain biking, Naseby Forest has a 100-kilometre network of trails graded from 1 to 5, from beginner to advanced level. Check access and trail conditions before setting out. The different trail lengths, timeframes and grades can help you estimate how active you want your stay to be.

Explore gold-mining history and art

The Otago Goldfields Heritage Trail includes more than 20 historic sites that can be reached on foot, by bike or by car. Examples include Mitchell’s Cottage, Earnscleugh Dredge Tailings, Bald Hill Flat and Dead Horse Pinch. The Bannockburn Sluicings and the old mining sites along the Roxburgh Gorge Trail reveal further aspects of the region’s gold-mining history in the landscape.

The Central Otago Arts Trail offers a different perspective on the region: you can visit galleries and meet artists in their studios. There are also sculptures and murals, each with its own backstory. For those interested in history and art, these provide additional themes for trip planning alongside the cycling and walking trails.

Fruit, wine and local experiences

Around Roxburgh and Cromwell, orchards offer tours or a pick-your-own experience. Seasonal opportunities depend on the orchard and harvest time. Wine and food events include the Clyde Food & Wine Festival, Cromwell’s National Cherry Festival and Alexandra’s Basin New Release Tasting. Check event dates and whether each event is going ahead before your trip.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel style

Consider whether cycling should be the main focus, or whether river landscapes, gold-mining history, art and regional food and wine are equally important. This lets you tailor your search to the experiences you want to shape your trip, without combining the different trails and activities into a single route.

Explore more destinations

Explore more destinations: Cromwell, Clyde, Kokonga, Ranfurly, Alexandra, Roxburgh, Kyeburn Diggings, Naseby, Omakau, Patearoa, Conroys Gully, Lindis Valley, Millers Flat, Coal Creek Flat, Waipiata, Queensbury, Oturehua, Chatto Creek, Tarras, Lauder, Earnscleugh.

For the broader travel overview: Otago.