The sight of a supersized apple, nectarine, pear and apricot signals your arrival into Cromwell. An hour’s drive from Queenstown, Central Otago’s largest town is nestled between the sparkling waters of Kawarau River and Lake Dunstan with a backdrop of rugged hills as far as the eye can see. 

If the giant sculptures weren’t an obvious giveaway, Cromwell is New Zealand’s fruit hub – whether picked directly from the tree or fermented and crafted into your favourite bottle of pinot noir. Time your trip right and you’ll be rewarded with flourishing orchards of bright red cherries and juicy stone fruit, as well as lush vineyards lining the hills. Pull over to grab a bag of apricots or peaches from a cute roadside stall, pick your own fruit at local orchards, or sip a beautiful glass of wine at cellar doors across the town’s three sub-regions: Bannockburn, Lowburn Valley and Pisa Flats, and Bendigo.

There’s plenty of stories to discover here, thanks to a rich history that dates back to the 1860s, after gold was discovered in the Cromwell Gorge. In 1990, the construction of the Clyde Dam submerged the original main street, giving rise to Lake Dunstan. Luckily, some of the original buildings were rescued and relocated to establish today’s Cromwell Heritage Precinct, where heritage sites house great cafes, cool cocktail bars, art galleries, boutique homeware stores and more.

Whether you’re looking for a great flat white and a famous pie, memorable wine tastings with spectacular views, a day of fishing and swimming, or somewhere to refuel along the cycling trails, Cromwell promises to be a truly fruitful experience.