Region of New Zealand
Photo: Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) Photo portfolio, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Otago is a region of the South Island of New Zealand whose hilly country and sheltered valleys produce a variety of climates and some spectacular scenery. This article covers the coastal areas and Central Otago (but not the Queenstown-Lakes district of Otago).
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A 150-km walking, cycling and horse-riding track that runs in an arc between Middlemarch, Alexandra and Clyde, along the route of the former Otago Central Railway. It's a great way to take in the region's stunning scenery at a leisurely pace, as well as get a close-up view of the historic townships. The trail is a great success story for the region; it is a nationally recognised tourist attraction and second biggest economic earner for the region (after farming). It attracts 10,000-12,000 users per year and supports a network of bed and breakfasts and cafe/pubs along its route. It has been used as a template for a network of similar trails throughout New Zealand.
Waikouaiti
A small cheese factory with a shop where you can sample and buy cheese.
Another Otago gem, 2010 New Zealand Restaurant of the year.
Dunedin Airport (DUD) has flights from Brisbane and several New Zealand cities.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Dunedin · Regional · DUD
Loading places around the airport…
second largest city in the South Island (population 120,000)
on the Otago Central Rail Trail, a 150-km walking, cycling and horse-riding trail
in the former goldfields of inland Central Otago

small town in the south
coastal town (2nd to Dunedin in size) in the north, featuring beautiful Victorian architecture, steampunk, and blue penguin viewing
a small town and Dunedin's cruise ship port
Ranfurly is a town in the Central Otago District of Otago, New Zealand. Ranfurly is well known for its Art Deco buildings, such as its hotel and the milk bar.
25 km north of Dunedin
Articles and travel topics about Otago and New Zealand.
Compare and apply for the Australia ETA and New Zealand NZeTA in 2026. Step-by-step mobile app guides, fees, the IVL levy, and trans-Tasman rules.
7 min read
The best places to visit in January for winter sun, deep powder snow and wildlife, comparing Niseko, Sri Lanka, Tromsø and New Zealand.
7 min read
Five of the best countries for solo female travellers, featuring safe night streets, easy public transit, and essential neighbourhood safety tips.
6 min read
Explore famous movie and tv filming locations around the world, from King's Landing in Dubrovnik to the Hogwarts viaduct in Scotland.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.