Scenic Beauty at Otago Vacation Rentals
Otago is a popular tourist destination in New Zealand with attractions for every visitor’s interests. Wine lovers can explore the scenic wine regions and sample some of the fine wines produced by the various wine estates. Those that enjoy water sports can explore the coastline in a kayak or on a sailing boat. Many resorts have windsurfers and Jet Skis available for hire. Inland, you can enjoy a boating excursion on one of the lakes. Fishing is another popular pastime that attractions fly fishermen from around the world. Otago is a great family vacation destination, owing to the many attractions and activities available.
Getting to Otago Cabins
There are two major airports in the Otago region and several other minor airports. Dunedin International Airport is the largest and has the highest frequency of flights into the region of Otago. There are regularly scheduled connections between all major cities including Auckland which is the main international hub for travel into New Zealand. If traveling from North America or Europe, you will need to book your international flight into Auckland and from there, travel on to Otago. The second major airport is Queenstown Airport which is operated by the regional authorities. The airport serves the popular tourist city of Queenstown and its surrounding area. This is a busy domestic airport with frequently scheduled commercial flights.
What to See and Do near Otago Cottages
The Otago Peninsula is home to one of the rarest species of penguin. The Yellow-eyed penguin shares its breeding ground with New Zealand Fur Seals, White Front Tern and the Blue Penguin. Birding enthusiasts can visit the various colonies and spend hours on the rocks watching the resident birdlife. The peninsula frames Dunedin Harbour and provides a beautiful backdrop for coastal photography. In addition to the beautiful coastline, the city of Dunedin has many historic attractions. Its origins date back to the discovery of gold in the region. The Otago Museum is reputed to be one of Dunedin’s most visited attractions. The museum provides some great insight into the early settler and gold mining days. The exhibits cover not only history but also New Zealand’s culture, nature and science topics. Today, the city has a vibrant creative and artistic vibe about it.
Queenstown is one of the largest tourist centers on the South Island. Many refer to it as the adventure capital of New Zealand. The spectacular scenery provides the perfect playground for outdoor adventurers in both the summer and winter seasons. In wintertime, when the snow is thick enough, ski resorts offer snowboarding and downhill skiing. Many cross country trails meander through the countryside. In the summer months, there are hiking and mountain biking trails that beg to be explored.
When to Visit New Zealand Vacation Rentals in Otago
Otago is located in the southern region of South Island in New Zealand. The climate contrasts quite significantly between the coastal regions and the interior of Otago. The most popular tourist season is during the warmer summer months which run from December to March. During this time, you can expect warm dry weather with moderate temperatures in the mid-20s (Celcius). The winter months are typically cold and wet with snowfalls occurring in some of the hill regions. The interior has a more continental climate which makes it an ideal wine growing region. Summers are hot with daily temperatures frequently exceeding 30 degrees Celcius. The winters are cold and frosty with some towns recording temperatures of 20 degrees below zero in mid-winter. If you are looking for a snowy vacation, this is the time of year to travel to Otago.