Otago

A joint effort between The Otago Excursion Train Trust (OETT) and Auckland-based Glenbrook Vintage Railway (GVR) aims to save the Taieri Gorge Railway and its operator, Dunedin Railways.

A co-ordinated effort preferably at the national level is needed to help fund the execution of regional destination management plans, says Enterprise Dunedin.

Carnival Corporation’s Princess Cruises is providing funding for Dunedin-based Natures Wonders to support penguin colonies around Otago.

DQ and LWT say the proposal is not aligned with the district’s new regenerative tourism approach.

The proposed Tarras airport in Central Otago will have a runway aligned north east to the Lindis Valley and south to Lake Dunstan and will be able to take long-distance jet aircraft.

The latest section of the Clutha Gold Cycling and Walking Trail is now open to the public.

Christchurch Airport will hold community engagement days on its Tarras airport proposal this month.

A new hut at Waianakura Scenic Reserve in North Otago will open to the public at the beginning of August.

Central Otago’s future as a tourism destination is looking positive with significant public and private investment over the next 2-3 years, according to Tourism Central Otago.

Southern venues are seeing significant growth thanks to increased investment and development.

Foley Wines says its new brand home in Martinborough, The Runholder, is set to open to visitors in July, pending final council approvals for its 100-person restaurant, tasting room, private dining room and distillery.  

Tourism is expected to be one of the big beneficiaries of Waitaki Whitestone Geopark’s new UNESCO Global Geopark designation.

Otago Polytechnic Te Pūkenga’s Exhibition has attracted more than 30,000 visitors since it opened in December.

The government’s $6m investment in the Winter Games will help drive southern tourism during the ski season and showcase New Zealand to the world.

Haurapa PurePod includes views of the Pisa Mountain Range, and Tāima PurePod is surrounded by rugged landscapes and rocky outcrops.

With Tourism Waitaki ending, the local council is considering bringing in an operator to help grow its popular attraction.

Sustainable Tarras plans to protest what it calls ‘greenwashing’ by the aviation industry at Parliament today.

Key visitor experiences in Dunedin and Clutha will take the spotlight in an episode of Australian television road trip series Roads Less Travelled.

Guest nights at the southern RTO have surged since Covid.

The Department of Conservation has closed Te Papanui Conservation Park near Dunedin due to the fire risk in the area, with further warnings in place for Otago, parts of Southland, and Canterbury.

Otago’s fire ban has been extended to a total prohibition on fireworks displays while the region suffers from dry conditions.

A campaign promoting the stories and vision for a new development around Mt Cardrona Station aims to capture the spirit of adventure.

The inaugural Roam Central wine and food celebration has been hailed a success after it attracted more than 1,500 people to venues across Otago and Southern Lakes.

Project director Michael Singleton says the new airport can fit within NZ’s emissions targets and meet the climate change challenge.

A new Central Otago airport runs counter to building a more sustainable tourism industry, states an open letter from the group.

Crankworx Summer Series will showcase four iconic South Island biking destinations in March.

South Island operators bask in the glow of good weather and a strong international rebound over the summer peak.

Regions with strong international tourist appeal and food-producing industries should fare best in 2023 as the economy slows, says the bank.

Christchurch International Airport has delayed its decision on the preferred runway alignment for its proposed airport at Tarras in Central Otago.

The Cromwell attraction was the first in NZ launched by the entrepreneur and motorsport enthusiast.

Industry moves for the week to 25 Nov.

The four-day Roam Central food, wine and adventure festival is coming to Central Otago and the Southern Lakes from 26-29 January 2023.

Cardrona, Central Otago, Queenstown and Wānaka are set to host the Crankworx Summer Series of mountain biking events in 2023.

Sustainable Tarras has released its third video in a series investigating the viability of a proposed international airport at Tarras.

Operators say good weather and the return of cruise contribute to the best customer numbers since Covid began.

Kiwi Water Park on Lake Dunstan has the go-ahead to operate over summer, following approval from Land Information New Zealand.

A new food and wine event is launching next year to celebrate Central Otago winemakers, growers, and chefs.

Tourism Central Otago has released a new video highlighting key safety messages along the popular new Lake Dunstan cycle trail.

The Headwaters Eco Lodge in Glenorchy will host a two-day event showcasing premium wines and cuisine this month.

Land Information New Zealand says it is doing its best to provide an answer to Kiwi Water Park over road safety responsibilities and requirements.

Kiwi Water Park served 30,000 customers last summer but may not be able to return.

Waitaki Whitestone Geopark is one step closer to being New Zealand’s first UNESCO Global Geopark – with the final decision just eight months away.

The departure of Christchurch International Airport chief executive Malcolm Johns could be an opportunity to reset the operator’s Central Otago project, says airport opposition group Sustainable Tarras.

City ratepayers could pay twice if a new airport struggles to make profit and takes tourism from Canterbury, argues Ilan Noy from Victoria University.

Christchurch International Airport is calling Sustainable Tarras’ claims that a proposed airport at Tarras is being hastily prepared without consultation as ‘opinions and assumptions’.

Eat.Taste.Central will showcase its culinary delights in Auckland ahead of the festival’s launch this month, where a select group of guests will get a taste of Otago on their plates.

Christchurch Airport has hit back at claims its Tarras airport project is greenwashing its carbon emissions reporting.

A series of videos highlighting issues around Christchurch Airport’s plans to develop an international airport at Tarras in Central Otago has been released by Sustainable Tarras.

The new DMP also charts a path towards resolving the vital issue of sustainable funding.

Central Otago is welcoming back the annual spring Eat.Taste.Central food and beverage event for its sixth year, which runs from 23 September – 24 October.