Alexandra

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Alexandra Regional Information

The Central Otago town of Alexandra was originally a gold mining settlement, adopting the current name in 1863, in honour of Alexandra of Denmark. Situated at the meeting point of the Manuherikia and Clutha Rivers, Alexandra is the commercial centre of the Central Otago region and is famous today for the production of stone fruit, merino wool and Pinot Noir wines. The area has the lowest rainfall of any region in New Zealand, with hot summers and crisp, dry winters.

Alexandra's dry conditions have facilitated the preservation of buildings and relics from goldmining days. In 1862, gold was discovered between the settlements of Clyde and Cromwell, bringing about the birth of Alexandra as a service centre for the mining community. Orchards and market gardens were planted to feed the miners and their families; around the turn of the century, the fertility and excellent growing conditions in the region were recognised and the number of orchards increased significantly. Close by is the historic settlement of Clyde, another town with a gold mining past, famous today for the Clyde Dam which produces hydroelectricity.

Places of interest in Alexandra include the Clock on the Hill, which was constructed on a rock face above the town in 1966 and measures 11 metres in diameter. Built from six vertical columns of steel, the face of the clock can be read from a distance of eight kilometres at night. The Shaky Bridge, an early suspension bridge, dates from 1879 and has now been renovated. The Old Bridge dates from 1882 and was built at great cost from local schist stone. On Centennial Avenue, the Old Courthouse is one of the town's oldest buildings, dating from 1879. Another heritage building is Vallance Cottage, built in 1896 and renovated to give a glimpse into life in 1900's Otago. Visitors can find out more about Alexandra's past at the Alexandra Museum, where displays tell stories of the district's people and heritage.

A more recent addition to Alexandra's list of attractions is the Central Otago Rail Trail, a 150 kilometre section of former railway which is now a track designed for walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. Stretching from Clyde to Middlemarch, the trail is open year round and offers an experience flavoured by the area's heritage and isolation.

Navigate with our great Alexandra map to stay on the right track and find what you're looking for when traveling in the region. While you're on the road, be prepared for all seasons with weather forecasts, reports and current information on Alexandra weather.

For further information on Alexandra, visit the Central Otago information site.