Clyde is a historic gold mining town filled with charming colonial cottages and handsome stone buildings. Café hop in the town centre, learn about the town’s Gold Rush heyday at local museums and marvel at the enormous hydroelectric dam. The sunny climate is perfect for adventure-fuelled activities like mountain biking and hiking.
Things to do in Clyde
The Clyde town centre is filled with handsome turn-of-the-century buildings built in the Gold Rush. Most have been reimagined as quaint cafes, boutiques and B&Bs. Enjoy lunch at a local tavern and walk up to the Clyde Dam Lookout for fantastic views over the cobalt-blue dam.
Dive into the unique history and heritage of the town at the Clyde Historical Museums. The museums occupy a series of heritage buildings and feature exhibits on the Gold Rush, Māori culture and the construction of the Clyde Dam.
Use Clyde as a base to explore the rugged landscapes of Central Otago. Lace up your boots and hit the walking tracks or rent a bike and explore the famous Otago Central Rail Trail. The trail stretches 150 kilometres across the South Island and follows the route of a former railway. Sections around Clyde take you past picturesque vineyards, orchards and farmland.
The Lake Dunstan Trail is another popular route and links Clyde with the neighbourhing township of Cromwell. There are shady picnic spots along the way where you can stop for lunch. Stock up on locally grown cherries and nectarines before you set off. Kayak rentals and scenic boat cruises are another popular way to enjoy the lake.
Getting around Clyde
Clyde is compact and easy to get around on foot, while rental cars offer the freedom to visit Clyde and explore Central Otago at your own pace. The town is in Central Otago, a 1.5-hour drive from Queenstown and 5.5 hours from Christchurch.