Arrowtown to Alexandra
Trip Start
Oct 20, 2003
1
26
29
Trip End
Ongoing
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Arrowtown,
New Zealand
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Just 19 km from Queenstown it is a very pleasant drive. The famous gold mining rivers
are along the drive. Really enjoy this town to visit. Great parking right in town along the
river. Plenty of room and right next to the historic Chinese Mining Village. New
Zealand's only living historic gold mining town. A stroll along Buckingham Street is a
step back in town. Great shops, cafes and restaurants. You have to go up a side street and
an unmarked stairs to the best coffee shop (Joe's Garage). I'll let you hunt for that one! Be
sure to see Dorothy Browns Cinema.
A very good Holiday Park in the town within walking distance of the main centre.
I have found, due to the crowded parking conditions in Queenstown, we prefer to go to
Arrowtown and park and catch the "Arrowtown Bus Tours" bus to Queenstown ($18
return per). Sure worth it for the hassle. You walk around Queenstown anyway.
To Cromwell/Alexandra -
From Queenstown take Route 6 to Arrowtown via Lake Hayes or Arthur's Point both very
scenic drives. (19kms)
Two roads out of Arrowtown north to Wanaka. One over the Crown Range to the left just
out of town, a switch-back road that will test your engine and your nerve on the way up.
An interesting back road route(good road) that takes you by the Cardrona Ski Fields and
the historic Cardrona Pub that automatically invites you to stop for a beer after the long
haul up.
The other route is continuing on Route Six through the Kawarau Gorge one of the most
spectacular drives in New Zealand. This is my favourite way. Not too far along on the
right you see the Chard Farm Winery somehow hanging on the side of the cliffs. Still find
it an awesome (sorry the word seemed to fit this time) sight. Next on the left is the world
famous beginning of AJ Hackett's bungy empire where adrenaline junkies throw
themselves 43 metres off the Kawarau bridge. A lot different than when I first was there
in 1989 and their headquarters was an old hippie bus. Now it is a multi-million dollar
complex not to be missed even if you don't want to jump off the suspension bridge. The
interior of the building is an architectural wonder alone and they will be soon offering
bungy tours to have an up close encounter behind the scenes.
After the excitement of the bungy palace just a few kms down the road on the right in the
area's winery district is the Gibbston Winery where for $5 you get to taste four of the
finest wines in the world. They also offer a restaurant that serves food to compliment
their exquisite wines. In the complex also is a cheesery that I defy you not to find a taste
you cannot resist.
The rest of the drive through the Gorge will have you spell-bound for the natural wonder
of it all. The raw beauty of the area along with the old stone miner's huts still visible
makes one wonder the tenacity of the early settlers. To me one of the most rugged areas I
have ever seen. Lots of places to pull off for photos and the Old Gold Field area where
you can see how it was in the early gold mining days.
From the Arrowtown Junction on Route 6 to Cromwell is 40 kms.
This is New Zealand's fruit basket so there are a lot of stands along the road where you
can stop for the freshest in season. The whole area is fast becoming one vineyard after
another on both sides of the road. Not a bad thing. The wines from here are receiving rave
reviews. Just before Cromwell there is a place called The Big Picture you must have a
look for it has truly different experiences offered. Essential wine adventures as they state
and truly so. The brainstorm of Phil Parker and his talented artist partner Cath. They have
produced an exciting way to learn wines and also provide top quality dining. Just the
place to stop in summer for that mid-day lunch and a glass of the local wine.
Have a look at a few photos taken there and at their website to learn about the room
where you learn about the smell of wine. Wine Adventures at the Big Picture, Cromwell
Now let's slip off the beaten path and take Route 8 outside of Cromwell to Clyde and
Alexandra. The short trip will be more than worth it. More about it later. The Courthouse
Cafe for top eating and coffee. We rate it right on top in New Zealand. At Clyde you can
stop and see the dam that created Lake Dunstan.
Lots of places to pull off the road and also stopping spots with toilets along the road by
Lake Dunstan from Cromwell north. Very scenic area.
Alexandra -
Alexandra is the heart of the region and has a population of close to 5000 most
wonderful and friendly folks. Located 190km from Dunedin, 93km from Queenstown,
88km from Wanaka and 37km from Cromwell.
What we usually do is leave Arrowtown on Route 6 toward Cromwell passing through
Clyde home of the Clyde Dam on the Clutha River, the Blues Lounge and Oliver's
Restaurant. This was our favourite restaurant when we lived in Queenstown and was run
by Fleur. Haven't taken the time to go by since but the funky accommodation is
guaranteed fabulous. On the outskirts of Cromwell be sure to stop and have a look in at
the Big Picture for one of the true quality wine experiences in New Zealand.
Then on route 8 for 37km to Alexandra. We specifically go this far out of our way to have
a Supreme coffee at the old Courthouse Cafe, 8 Centennial Avenue. In our humble
opinion the best coffee made in the South Island.
This area is of exceptional beauty and strange rock formations that are spectactular.
Summer temperatures are the warmest in New Zealand. Local lakes and rivers provide
some of the best water sports area in the country and really good trout fishing. A fabulous
wine industry provides a fun winery tour. A bonus here is the orchard industry of cherries,
apricots, peaches, apples, pears, and olives. Spoiled for choice when in the area for
roadside outlets direct from the orchards. They always are in need of help during picking
season too. If you have the time and the inclination an off-the-beaten-path adventure is to
go on to St. Bathans to see some real Central Otago landscape and perhaps see the ghost
at the Pub. During the right time of year just down the road at Ranfurly they celebrate Art
Deco weekend in style. Street closed off and a party is in session with contests for deco
dress along with period car rally. Very special time. Dates this year are February 24-26,
2006. I you do go there and plan to continue to the West Coast via Queenstown it requires
a turn around to Cromwell (125km) and then north on Route Six. On the right is Lake
Dunstan going north to Wanaka.
