Cromwell is an old gold mining town in the South Island’s Central Otago, about sixty kilometres from Queenstown. It sits at the junction of the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers. The original town was almost completely drowned when the Clutha Dam was built. Historic remnants of Old Cromwell Town are now home to a local craft village and historic precinct.
Cromwell is a handy base for the region’s many excellent ski-fields, particularly Treble Cone, Cadrona and The Remarkables. At other times of year, Cromwell is renowned for its stone fruit orchards and vineyards.
Many tours operate in the striking landscape surrounding Cromwell, by mountain bike, four-wheel drive, or on foot. The rivers, meanwhile, play host to the jet boats.
Several old mining sites are an easy distance from Cromwell: remains of old cottages, and old mine shafts. At the Carrick Goldfields, you can see the ruins of Carricktown and a six-metre water-wheel known as the Young Australian.
