Central Otago is the perfect place to soak up a bit of the gold mining and agricultural history of New Zealand with a wealth of museums, heritage sites and historic buildings in the various country towns. Clyde, Cromwell and Alexandra all have delightful Heritage Precincts, where restored 1860s buildings house artisan stores, arts galleries and cafés, all telling the story of the settlers to this area. As you drive around you will also pass through many small settlements, such as Ranfurly, Middlemarch and St Bathans, where you’ll find it hard to believe that the sleepy streets were once crowded with hopeful prospectors.

The Otago Central Rail Trail cuts through the region and is ideal for cycling. It’s possible to hire bikes locally and organise transfers so that you can cycle a section of the trail without having the return the same way. Alternatively, take a gentle stroll to view one or two of the bridges or simply to survey the imposing and wild landscape, quite different to anywhere else in New Zealand.