Open Travel Guide
History of Otago

Otago History & Heritage Guide 2026

Otago's past, on the ground: the sites, museums, and eras that explain what you're seeing.

Otago is a dramatic and diverse region in the South Island of New Zealand, stretching from the Pacific coastline near Dunedin across the rugged Central Otago highlands to the alpine lakes and mountains around Queenstown and Wanaka. It is one of New Zealand's most iconic and visited destinations, blending world-class adventure sports, wildlife encounters, gold rush history, and award-winning wine production.