Event Schedule

About Alexandra

Alexandra, Clyde, Earnscleugh, Fruitlands The thriving town metropolis of Alexandra is Central Otago's business and political capital. It is situated at the conjunction of two rivers, the Manuherikia and the mighty Clutha. Originally known as Lower Dunstan, then Manuherikia and the Junction, it was renamed in 1863 after Princess Alexandra. Alexandra is situated at the junction of State Highway 8 and State Highway 85, it appears suddenly like an oasis of green in the stark rocky landscape. Founded on gold, Alexandra has many old gold diggings and dredge sites. The gold that founded the area is gone, but the town is thriving with the new gold – horticulture, viticulture and wine making. Walk up to the Clock on the Hill (built 1968), a trademark of the town. At 11 metres wide it can be easily seen from 10km away and is one of the largest and most unusual clocks in the world. A huge diversity of mountain biking and walking trails can be found throughout the area, from gentle gradients of the Otago Central Rail Trail to the technical rock trails of the Raggedy’s. Most popular walking and cycling trails is the Otago Central Rail Trail and the Clyde to Alexandra Walkway following the Clutha River. Explore the mighty Clutha River and the isolated reaches of the historic and picturesque thyme studded Roxburgh Gorge. Marvel at some of NZ’s best examples of European and Chinese mining. A short distance from Alexandra is the historic quaint gold mining town of Clyde. Lying on the shores of the Clutha River, at the entry to the Cromwell Gorge and is just below the Clyde Hydro Electric dam and Lake Dunstan.