Woohoo! Summer is here, and the sun is out.
How good is it to see more people moving about the region.
I have definitely noticed the caravans and boats coming out of storage and everyone getting ready for adventures.
I’ve been talking to people who are staying in Central over the Christmas holidays and many have family or friends coming to stay.
That can mean playing tour guide for a day, or two, or 10 — depending on how long the welcome mat is out.
So, I thought I’d share some tips from the Central Otago District Council’s tourism experts on things to do in Central over the holidays.
Not only is Antz Longman our head of destination, but he is also a father to three very active children and is a mad-keen outdoors guy.
So little wonder when I asked Antz what he was going to be doing with the family over the break his immediate response was finding some white water for his kayak and hitting the trails around the Naseby Forest.
I’m pretty sure the kids will insist on a quick dip at the swimming dam too.
Ali Mason, who manages our media and PR, is also the new owner of an e-bike.
So that means Ali is going to be hitting some trails with her grandchildren and creating some amazing memories they will all treasure.
Ali has been carefully selecting the trails that suit the ability of the whanau; I’m not sure if it is coincidental that they all end at a winery or country pub!
Our trade and business events legend Andrea Lauder is hosting some friends, which means those friends are going to have the most incredible few days. Trust me, if there is someone you want to be hosted by, it is Andrea!
Without giving too much away (as part of her magic is surprise and delight), Andrea has revealed they will be going karting at Highlands and then heading to a winery — importantly in that order.
With more than 50 cellar doors in the region, she certainly has plenty to chose from!
For me, we’re hoping to spend a few nights in Roxburgh with friends, which means stopping at roadside stalls for fruit and real fruit ice creams — and not just for the kids!
Then hopefully we’ll get a few hours in our friend’s boat on Lake Roxburgh. I’d love to say catching fish, but if history is anything to go by the fish are very safe.
We really are spoilt for choice here in Central. It is 100% a natural playground.
I’d love to hear your plans, or your favourite spot to show off to family and friends.
Feel free to email me at dylan. [email protected] and we might be able to share a few through our social channels.
If you’re like me and haven’t yet got all the Christmas shopping done yet, there are plenty of great local experiences and businesses you can support by purchasing vouchers.
Have a very merry and safe Christmas and New Year.
I look forward to seeing many of you out and about enjoying this stunning place we call home.
