Cromwell Heritage Precinct
Cromwell Heritage Precinct
Cromwell Heritage Precinct
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
History |Galleries | Cafes | Boutique shops Central Otago's best kept secret - a free visitor attraction that has something for the whole family. When the Clyde dam was completed in 1990, Cromwell's main street disappeared under Lake Dunstan. Some of the historic buildings dating back to the gold rush of the 1860's were saved or lovingly rebuilt on higher ground, creating the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Step back in time to the gold rush and explore heritage buildings, many with artisan businesses in them, located on the shore of beautiful Lake Dunstan. Open daily.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
336 reviews
Excellent
145
Very good
156
Average
32
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Eli B
Sydney, Australia3,551 contributions
Oct 2019
Lake Dunstan is where the disassembled historic buildings were rebuilt.there is a great farmers market on Sunday. Great atmosphere and quite a choice in nibbling, grazing or dining. Local craft abounds as do galleries
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carol j
Palmerston North, New Zealand1,673 contributions
Oct 2021
Over bridge to Cromwell and turn right then you will find yourself in what locals call old Cromwell town on the shore of Lake Dunstan.
This historic Main Street was flooded to make way for a dam burying historic buildings dating back to 1860’s.
Some of original buildings still remain half submerged and the rest were restored or reconstructed.
Stroll along the lakeside and indulge in the cafe,and shops where local artisans sell and produce their works .Learn about the history before the town disappeared under the water .
You can park your car at top and walk few hundred meters down to lake side.I have been told that on a clear day when waters are still from a height you can still see the buried village under water.
This historic Main Street was flooded to make way for a dam burying historic buildings dating back to 1860’s.
Some of original buildings still remain half submerged and the rest were restored or reconstructed.
Stroll along the lakeside and indulge in the cafe,and shops where local artisans sell and produce their works .Learn about the history before the town disappeared under the water .
You can park your car at top and walk few hundred meters down to lake side.I have been told that on a clear day when waters are still from a height you can still see the buried village under water.
Written October 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KiwiKerry53
Wellington, New Zealand4,910 contributions
Jul 2021
The original township of Cromwell was flooded when Lake Dunstan was created as a storage reservoir for the Clyde Dam. The lake flooded the main street of the original township of Cromwell dating back to the 1860's goldrush.
Some historic buildings were saved or dismantled and rebuilt on the new site, Cromwell Heritage Precinct.
It had a really nice feel to it.
Some historic buildings were saved or dismantled and rebuilt on the new site, Cromwell Heritage Precinct.
It had a really nice feel to it.
Written November 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cpcog
Sydney, Australia1,348 contributions
Dec 2021
IT is worth to stop at Cromwell when you drive between Queenstown and Christchurch. This area is interesting for tourists with historic buildings. They are well kept and some of them transformed to different cafe and stores. we enjoyed walking there along the lake.
Somehow I felt like being in a movie when I were there.
Somehow I felt like being in a movie when I were there.
Written January 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James M
Auckland, New Zealand422 contributions
Dec 2021
My lovely wife and I spent a couple of hours wandering around this area and really enjoyed it. We particularly liked the glass jewelry hand made by the delightful lady running the shop. It's back a little from the main shops but well worth finding. we also enjoyed meeting the areas live in mouse catcher, Tilley. If she lets you pick her up you will be one of the few. Enjoy!
Written February 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane B
Te Awamutu, New Zealand811 contributions
Nov 2020
Worth a visit but if you didn't stop for food or as we were lucky enough to be there on market day you could probably do it in 15 minutes. Probably deserves a good rather then an average but don't see it being really good.
Would visit if in Cromwell or passing through but would not go out of my way to see it.
Would visit if in Cromwell or passing through but would not go out of my way to see it.
Written November 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sand0312
Hertfordshire, UK76 contributions
Mar 2020
Nice walk around finding out about the local history and Lake Dunstan. A few lovely shops selling a real mix of stuff...clothes, candles etc and coffee shops, bar and restaurant.
Written March 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stewarts Vacation
1,543 contributions
Dec 2021
This area has been well laid out and showcases historic buildings from the gold mining days of the 1860s, before the Clyde Dam was constructed flooding Melmore Street. It was interesting to wander through this area, which is situated along the picturesque waterfront. Some of the buildings were purely for display and exhibited information, others were being used as shops. There was a lovely cafe offering indoor and outdoor seating - a chance to enjoy the vibe and view.
Written December 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aussie_2012
Melbourne, Australia962 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Not sure how many people know this is here but take a side trip off the highway and explore this stunningly well preserved historical precinct. There several maps erected around the area guiding you through the area. Allow at least 30-60 minutes to have a good explore and see the various buildings of which nearly all are open and many of which have information about the use.
Written December 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg M
Warragul, Australia431 contributions
Mar 2020
Rescued from Lake Dunstan, these buildings offer a rare glimpse into the past. In the print shop, there is a phonographic record of the town before it was demolished/flooded.
Coffee, cold drinks, food and alcohol are all available from a variety of establishments. Parking is plentiful in surrounding streets and there are plenty of photo opportunities.
Coffee, cold drinks, food and alcohol are all available from a variety of establishments. Parking is plentiful in surrounding streets and there are plenty of photo opportunities.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Anyone know what time is the shop at Cromwell Heritage Precinct start business ?
Written July 7, 2019
The winter hours for most shops in the precinct are from 10am -4pm.
Some close in the winter -June-Sept
the cafes are open 7am- 4pm
Written August 6, 2019
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