Otago & Southland
Introduction on Otago & Southland
Otago & Southland encompasses many nice areas in the south of the southern island of New Zealand. The region is for example blessed with Fiordland National Park, Queenstown: "The Adrenaline Capital" of New Zealand and the not to be forgotten south coast. Otago is the north and eastern part of the region, Southland is the south and western part of the region.
Visiting Otago & Southland
The Otago & Southland area is blessed with an amazing national park: Fiordland National Park. This park contains beautiful glacial lakes, sounds, mountains and rain forest. Here you will find plenty opportunities to undertake Outdoor activities. The most famous Outdoor activity is the around the world known Milford Track, this one of the nine Great Walks (look at Tramping) in New Zealand.
Queenstown is the "The Adrenaline Capital" of New Zealand. You will be able to undertake many (extreme) Outdoor activities in this town in Otago. The area around and north of this town is blessed with beautiful lakes and snow topped and in winters snow powdered mountains.
The (south)eastern part of Otago & Southland is covered with a rugged and unspoiled landscape with many green farmland, forest and some dunes. The main urban settlement in this area is Dunedin (Otago); a beautiful university city in which many Scottish heritages can be seen. When looking for a "real" unspoiled and remote area full with beautiful wilderness visiting Steward Island (Southland) is highly recommendable. This is the biggest island besides the main two of New Zealand.
Economy of Otago & Southland
Today's Society in Otago & Southland heavily depends on natural resources. There are many farmers in this area. You can also find lots of stone fruit orchards, vineyards in the mid and east not to be forgotten. Last but not least, you can find many tourists. The magnificent varying landscape in the south of New Zealand attracts many tourists, which is very beneficial for Otago & Southland's Economy.
History of Otago & Southland
The more south you will travel on the southern island the more prevalent the Scottish heritage becomes. The first European settlers (mainly Scottish) their economic driving force were the sheep. During the nineteenth century's gold rush many more Europeans came to Otago & Southland. The gold rush also brought many Chinese settlers. In Earlier days the Maori were looking for greenstone in the western part of Otago & Southland. They created many tracks. Their tracks are now functioning as tramping tracks.
Climate of Otago & Southland
Summer: Average 18 degrees Celsius. Warm and dry.
Winter: Average 9 degrees Celsius.
Year round in the west part: Average 1800 sun hours and 5500 mm annual rainfall (driest in winter).
Year round in the east part: Average 1650 sun hours and 1000 mm annual rainfall.
For understanding the wide difference in Climate of the western and eastern part of Otago & Southland, please go the category "About New Zealand", section "Climate".