About Cromwell

Cromwell lies in the centre of the celebrated Southern Lakes area of New Zealand. Located only a small drive away from world famous tourist areas like Queenstown and Wanaka, Cromwell has its own unique character and regional history.

The area around Cromwell represents the very heart of the South Island fruit and wine industries. It has a hot and dry climate in summer which is ideal for cultivating many varieties of fruits and award winning wines. From October to March people from all over the world come to the region to pick fruit and grapes, and with many fine cafes and vinyards, wine tasting and fine dining are past-times that many visitors to the region enjoy.

In summer, Cromwell is also famous for its recreational fishing and boating on New Zealand's newest lake, Lake Dunstan, and for its proximity to several of New Zealand's largest lakes, Lakes Wanaka and Wakitipu. In winter, visitors to the area can go skiing and skating and experience the wonders of some of New Zealand's finest alpine scenery. Cromwell is also close to many of the festivals and tourist activities that feature year round in Central Otago such as the famous 'Wings Over Wanaka' air show, the Queenstown 'Winter Festival' or the Alexandra 'Blossom Festival', to name but a few.

Being one of the main centres of the early Central Otago gold rushes, the area is steeped in history, and  

relics of the gold rush period can be seen in the 'Old Cromwell' area of town next to the lake and at sites of old mining settlements all around the region. Next year, 2012, will also bring many events as the 150 year anniversary of the start of the gold rushes is celebrated.


THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO VISIT AROUND CROMWELL:

Cromwell is situated right on the shores of lake Dunstan, so locals and visitors come to go boating, fishing, walk along the lake shore or swim in the lake during summer. It boasts many top-class sporting facilities including tennis and squash courts, a golf course, football fields, a community swimming pool, sauna and gym. And around the town are many beautiful place to go trekking and look at the pristine scenery and artifacts from the gold mining era, or one can visit the local farmer's market in the 'Old Town' area of Cromwell during the weekend.

Cromwell is located around 40 minutes from Queenstown, one of the most famous tourist areas in New Zealand. Queenstown is famous for being the home of Bungee Jumping. Other well known things to do there include riding the Gondola, Jet Boating, Trekking, Lake Trips, Skiing, Kayaking, Skating and taking part in sports like Golf. There is also a thriving restaurant and entertainment industry.

Another famous tourist town close to Cromwell is Wanaka. Wanaka is famous for Boating, Kayaking and Swimming in summer, Sightseeing, Skiing in winter, and its unique 'Puzzling World' attraction.

Other interesting places to visit, are Clyde, an old gold mining town around 15 minutes away, and Alexandra, known for its Rail Trail cycleways and fruit growing industry.

GOOD REASONS FOR COMING TO CROMWELL:

The town itself exhibits a mixture of old fashioned New Zealand hospitality and the kind of 'can do' progressive attitude that is still found in many small centres in heartland New Zealand. The people are friendly and down to earth, and will always try to help if they can!

So, why come to Cromwell?
  • Central Otago is recognised throughout New Zealand as being one of the safest and friendliest areas

  • Cromwell is close to several major tourist towns, but is cheaper to live in than both Queenstown and Wanaka, as well as most other major cities in New Zealand

  • It is a beautiful area both in summer and winter with lots of out-of-doors attractions, activities and things to see and do

  • There is plenty of part-time work opportunities in summer and winter, in the orchards, vineyards, and in the Tourism service sectors 

  • The campus is in the centre of town, around 5 - 10 minutes from all accommodation venues and just minutes from cafes, restaurants, supermarket, pharmacy, banks, sporting and medical facilities

 
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