History in Cromwell -- Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand

CENTRAL OTAGO · SOUTH ISLAND · NEW ZEALAND

History

Glittering Beginnings

Gold mining Cromwell was originally known as "The Junction," being at the confluence of the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers. In 1862, gold was discovered below the Junction by two miners, Hartley and Reilly. Once the word of a gold strike was out, there was an influx of several thousand miners to the area.
As gold ran out, Cromwell became the service centre for an extensive farming and fruit growing area. It has a strategic location between the Lindis and the Haast Pass, and acts as a hub between the towns of Wanaka, Queenstown and Alexandra.
The decision to build Clyde Dam and use Cromwell as the accommodation base brought many changes to the town. These included the doubling of the residential area, relocation of the old town centre (now called "Old Cromwell Town"), upgrading of services, and the provision of modern educational and sports facilities. The relocated town centre, or "The Mall," now houses the main retail, service and civic buildings in Cromwell.
The future of Cromwell is in farming, horticulture, viticulture, and tourism. Cromwell is known as the "Fruit Bowl" of the south.
Lake Dunstan has increased the already extensive range of recreational activities with the provision of boat ramps, jetties, picnic areas, walking tracks and tree planting. It is a popular lake for family groups wanting to go boating, windsurfing, fishing, swimming, and picnicking.

Please click here for additional information about historical points of interest,
and don't miss the Cromwell and Districts Museum,
adjoining the Cromwell Information Centre,
open daily at 47 The Mall,
9.00am-5.00pm Monday to Friday,
10.00am - 4.00pm Saturday & Sunday.

The following booklets are available free of charge from the
Cromwell Information Centre:

Please click the buttons below for additional details or here for HOME PAGE

Four Seasons
A Land of Contrasts Kawarau Gorge
Cromwell to Queenstown Accommodation
& Dining

Things To Do
Activities, Walks, Outings History
Glittering Beginnings ... Photo Gallery
Over 40 Images

Cromwell Maps
Regional & Local Maps Calendar of Events Cromwell
Summer Series

Cromwell Handbook
Business & Services Cromwell
Promotion Group

Cherry Spitting
Championships

Other New Zealand Websites

Cromwell and Districts Promotion Group
P.O. Box 38, Cromwell
Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand
info@cromwell.org.nz