Living in Central

Climate

Central Otago has a ‘continental’ climate, with hot dry summers and cold winters. It is a land of extremes – each season is sharply defined.

Summer temperatures range from 10 to 30C, while in winter, temperatures can range from minus 6 to 15C. In both summer and winter, Central Otago is famous for its clear light and wide skies. Spring and autumn are special times in this region. Fruit blossom carpets the orchards in the spring, and the trees turn red, yellow and gold in the autumn.

Accommodation

There is a wide range of accommodation options for students in Central Otago. Choose between renting a room in a flat, staying in a studio or hostel, or homestay accommodation.

Flatting accommodation

Many students love the experience of renting a house together with friends and other students. When flatting, you will share living costs such as electricity, telephone and food.

In Central Otago, unfurnished flats generally cost between $130-$200 per week per room with another $80-$100 in expenses like power, phone and food. Furnished flats typically cost slightly more – about $180-$200 per week, and are less common. Your expenses will most likely be the same as in an unfurnished property. Cromwell real estate agents have details of rental properties available within the area.

Otago Polytechnic manages a small amount of rental property within Cromwell, which cost $150 per week plus expenses. This accommodation is available for full-time students. Please contact Barbara Emmitt (barbara.emmitt@op.ac.nz 0800 765 9276) if you are interested in this option.

Studio and hostel accommodation

The Chalets (www.thechaletscromwell.co.nz) is an unsupervised hostel where you can rent a single room for $125 per week, including electricity. Students are usually placed together in one of the chalets, sharing lounge, bathroom and kitchen facilities.

Homestay accommodation

In a homestay, you will live with a local family in their home. There is limited availability of homestay accommodation in Central Otago. Homestays cost around $265 per week (all meals included), plus a one-off placement fee of $250.

Start looking!

Some great places to start your search include:

Otago Polytechnic Student's Association accommodation page
Otago Daily Times (Dunedin and Central Otago)
Trade Me (all campuses)
Share Accommodation (all campuses)
The Cromwell Bulletin (Central Otago)
The Cromwell Information Centre has listings of other accommodation suitable for short stays

Leisure activities

Central Otago is New Zealand’s adventure playground – when you’re not studying, this region has much to offer.

Cycle one of the many trails in the region from the Central Otago Rail Trail to the Wanaka and Queenstown network of trails.
Walk the many hill tracks, or go hiking or mountain biking
Boat, swim, sail, kayak, wind-surf or fish in one of the local rivers and lakes
Play a round of golf on one the local courses or chip ‘n’ putt at our Bannockburn Road site
Rock climb in our stunning natural landscapes or enjoy the indoor climbing wall in Wanaka
Enjoy the view and savour the region’s food and wine at one of the local restaurants and cafes
Visit vineyards, where you can take a tour, visit the cellar or dine
Catch a movie or visit one of the local libraries on a rainy day
Visit the historical buildings in Old Cromwell Town, Clyde and Ophir
Discover the old mining landscapes at the Bannockburn Sluicings and the Carrick and Bendigo Goldfields
Pan for gold at the Kawarau Gorge Gold Mining Centre
Visit the ‘lake in a lake’ at Mou Waho Island on Lake Wanaka
Go horse riding in Cardrona
Discover Mount Aspiring National Park
Go to one of the many festivals and concerts in the region
In winter, ski at one of the many ski-fields in Central
Go to a race day at Highlands Motorsport Park, Speedway or the Cromwell horseracing track
Join one of the many sports clubs or cultural groups who are always keen to have new members

Queenstown, being a larger town, offers a wide range of shopping and nightlife. It is also where you can bungy-jump and enjoy other high-adrenaline activities.

Find out more about more about tourism in the Cromwell area.

Find more about tourism in the Wanaka area.

Swimming Centre

Cromwell Swim Centre is a fully-equipped indoor heated swimming pool complex with two pools. A great selection of organised weekday activities is available including aqua aerobics, canoeing, water babies, learn-to-swim and lifesaving. There are well appointed changing rooms - private cubicles, hot showers and lockers.

Barry Avenue, Cromwell
Phone +64 3 455 0919
info@cromwell.org.nz

NRG Health and Fitness

NRG Health and Fitness is Cromwell’s only fully-equipped health and fitness centre. They have a full calendar of weekly fitness classes including spin, running, Zumba, yoga and much more. Personal training is also available.

At Cromwell Pool, Barry Avenue, Cromwell
Phone +64 3 445 4880
nrghealthandfitness@xtra.co.nz

Wanaka Community Pool

Wanaka Pool is a 25-metre, 6-lane heated indoor swimming pool that's situated 5 minutes drive from central Wanaka, and is open every day except Christmas Day. There is also a large outdoor area with tables, chairs and a BBQ which are available for anyone to use. It's a great area to relax in with family and friends on a sunny summer's day.

121 Plantation Rd, Wanaka
Phone +64 3 443 9334
wanakapool@lakesleisure.co.nz

Latitude Health and Fitness

15-19 Cliff Wilson Street, Wanaka (in the same building as our campus)
Phone +64 3 669 3444
www.latitude44fitness.com

Proactive Health and Fitness

17 Plantation Road, Wanaka
New Zealand
Phone +64 3 443 6500
info@proactivewanaka.com
www.proactivewanaka.com

New on-campus accommodation

Living in Central

Living in Central

Living in Central

Living in Central

Living in Central

Central Otago offers a relaxed outdoor lifestyle. It’s a unique and beautiful place with much to offer. Like many, you might come here to study and never want to leave.