Enjoy wine tasting sessions & spectacular landscapes in Cromwell
With numerous nature trails, Cromwell is a great place for all outdoor enthusiasts. If the surrounding mountains are not enough for recreational activities there’s also Dunstan Lake which is ideal for swimming, boating and fishing. To take full advantage of the glorious landscapes, you can stay in one of the hotels close to the lake and enjoy waking up to picture-postcard views from your room. If you’ve arrived at Cromwell by car, be sure to set aside a day and visit the stunning Kawarau Gorge. Being a short drive away from the town centre, the Gorge makes a great afternoon excursion.
A haven for shoppers and culture enthusiasts
Hotels in the centre of Cromwell will give you easy access to local amenities such as the expansive open shopping mall which houses numerous gift shops, florists and fashion outlets. There are also a lot of little cafes which are great for a mini break in between exhausting shopping excursions. Once you’ve had your fill of retail therapy you can pay a visit to the Cromwell Museum which is conveniently located in the shopping centre itself. The informative displays which include historic photographs and video footage will give visitors an insight into what the town looked like before the main street was flooded in 1992 during the process of making the Clyde Dam. If the museum has awakened your interest in the town’s fascinating history, then before heading back to your hotel you can pay a visit the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Many of the buildings that lined the main street which was submerged in the flood, were re-built and can now be seen at the Precinct.
Great base for exploring the Otago region
Many visitors opt for hotels in Cromwell as they are good value and also a perfect base for accessing nearby towns such as Wanaka and Queenstown. The popular resort town of Wanaka is just a short 40-minute drive from Cromwell and is a great choice for a fun-filled day trip. If you are visiting the town between June and September and are a ski enthusiast, you can try out the slopes at the nearby Southern Alps. Nature lovers and keen walkers shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the 355,500-plus hectares Mount Aspiring National Park with its waterfalls and stunning glaciers. Be sure to take walking boots with you so you can tackle the many trails and nature hikes. An hour’s drive from your Cromwell hotels will take you to Queensland, a favourite playground for adventure-seekers and extreme sports fans. Apart from hair-raising activities such as bungee jumping and white water rafting there are also more laid-back recreations such as golf and boat excursions.
Learn about Cromwell’s gold miming heritage
Apart from the stunning landscapes surrounding Cromwell, guests can immerse themselves in the fascinating mining history of this region. The Goldfields Mining Centre offers guided tours of the nearby gold mining sites where visitors can see the original equipment used by the miners of the Gold Rush era. There’s also a gift shop on-site selling jewellery crafted from the locally sourced gold for those keen to have a memento of their trip to Cromwell. If you’re staying in one of the many hotels in the centre of town, then you can plan a day trip to one of the nearby mining sites such as the one found in the quaint town of Bannockburn which is just over three miles away. During the Gold Rush ear of the 19th century the town had one of the main mining sites in this region. The Bannockburn Sluicing Walk will give visitors a unique opportunity to explore the caves where the miners lived and worked.
Indulge your senses in wine tasting
Wine connoisseurs are guaranteed to be in their element in this particular part of New Zealand. World-famous wines including the Central Otago Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Gerwutztrameiner are produced in this region. Most larger hotels in Cromwell offer ticket/tour assistance at their front-desk where guests can enquire about local wine tours and check availability. One of the many local wineries is Mt Difficulty which is perched on the hill overlooking Cromwell. For those keen on exploring other wineries in the surrounding region, the Rippon Vineyard is a great choice for a day trip. Located just a short drive away from the centre of Cromwell, the vineyard boasts stunning views of Lake Wanaka which provides a perfect scenic backdrop for the wine tasting experience. If you’re staying in one of the hotels in the centre of town, be sure to pay a visit to the Carrick Winery & Restaurant which offers flavourful food and wine made from 100% organic, locally grown produce.