Romantic Getaway Alexandra The Honeymoon Guide to Alexandra & Clyde© James Jub - Destination Central Otago
Romantic Getaway Alexandra The Honeymoon Guide to Alexandra & Clyde

The Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway Guide to Alexandra & Clyde [2024]

© James Jub – Destination Central Otago

Plan a Romantic Getaway, Anniversary or Honeymoon to Alexandra and Clyde

Get off the beaten track and discover the charming Central Otago settlements of Alexandra and Clyde. While the sunny towns are most famous for having, not one, but two of the country’s Great Rides, the gorgeous desert-like landscapes split by the blue waters of the Clutha and Manuherikia Rivers, as well as the small wine region and charming historical buildings established during the Otago Gold Rush, make for more reasons to discover this area. What’s more, many of the buildings have been transformed into endearing accommodation ideal for couples on a romantic getaway or honeymoon. So plan your visit with this guide to planning an anniversary, honeymoon or romantic getaway to Alexandra and Clyde.

Romantic Activities in Alexandra and Clyde

  • Cycle one of the Great Rides together
  • Visit the romantic historical towns of Clyde or Ophir
  • Enjoy a stroll through Jolendale Park
  • Bask in the vineyard scenery with a glass in hand at Alexandra’s wineries
  • Indulge in a date night at one of the boutique cinemas
  • Treat your loved one to lunch at a romantic cafe.

For more details on each experience, see the 6 Most Romantic Things to Do in Alexandra & Clyde for Couples.

The Honeymoon Guide to Alexandra & Clyde© James Jub - Destination Central Otago

Romantic Adventure Activities

Chances are, you came to Alexandra and Clyde to do some cycling. If not, then it should most certainly be on your bucket list! In addition, there are some endearing parks and villages to visit on your romantic getaway to Alexandra and Clyde.

The Best Cycle Trails for Couples

From day rides on the Roxburgh Gorge Trail to the multi-day adventure of the Otago Central Rail Trail, there’s plenty of two-wheel fun to be had. Local operators like Central Cycle Trail Co. (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor), Bike it Now (on Viator and Tripadvisor), Shebikeshebikes, Trail Journeys and more can get you up and running with cycle hire and shuttle transport to tackle the trails.

The Otago Central Rail Trail is New Zealand’s original “Great Ride” and covers 152km (94 miles) following an old railway route passing mountainous landscapes to dry desert-like scenery. Alternatively, the Clutha Gold Trail is another highlight, 73km (45 miles) following the Clutha River incorporating historical gold mining sites and charming villages. Find out more in the 5 Best Bike Trails in Alexandra & Clyde.

Clyde and Ophir

Speaking for charming villages, Central Otago is home to arguably some of the most romantic villages in New Zealand. Clyde is one of them, often referred to as a “living museum” with its schist stone architecture and quaint stone stores now harbouring cute cafes for a romantic lunch. Similarly, the town of Ophir is home to the country’s oldest running post office, where you can pick up a complimentary booklet with information on all the noteworthy buildings of the small settlement. Ophir also hosts some of the most romantic accommodation choices in the area.

Jolendale Park

This is New Zealand, so you’re always going to find somewhere amazing to go for a stroll. One of the most endearing options in Alexandra is Jolendale Park, an arboretum with native and exotic trees mixed with rocky outcrops, old mining relics and a reservoir. Nearby, you’ll also find the Kamaka Walkway where it’s common to hear bellbirds singing in spring and summer. You might also want to enjoy a picnic by the picturesque Lanes Dam. Find out more in the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Alexandra & Clyde.

For more suggestions, check out the 6 Romantic Activities in Alexandra & Clyde for Couples.

The Honeymoon Guide to Alexandra & Clyde Romantic Getaway Alexandra© NZPocketGuide.com

Romantic All-Weather Activities

It’s not often that one of the driest climates in New Zealand experiences wet weather but if you do find yourself in this extreme weather event on your romantic getaway to Alexandra or Clyde, then don’t miss the following experiences.

Wine Tasting

The balmy Central Otago weather combined with a glass in hand; what could be more romantic? The wineries of Alexandra and Clyde can certainly provide this scene, with many opening their cellar doors in the summer months for tastings and platters. You can either visit them yourselves, using the listings we offer in the 10 Best Wineries in Alexandra or enjoy tastings at multiple wineries with Vine2Wine Uncorked wine tours. Additionally, some of the wineries offer accommodation, should you want to enhance the romance!

Boutique Cinemas

While it might seem unimaginative to go to the cinema for a date night, the cinemas in Alexandra and Clyde offer something a little different. Both the Central Cinema in Alexandra and the Clyde Cinema are boutique, so offer an air of charm that you won’t find in large city cinemas. Plus, the Clyde Cinema also has an on-site bistro so you can take a glass of wine or a sweet treat to accompany your movie.

See more ideas like these in the 6 Romantic Activities in Alexandra & Clyde for Couples.

The Honeymoon Guide to Alexandra & Clyde© NZPocketGuide.com

Romantic Dining in Alexandra and Clyde

Your romantic getaway to Alexandra and Clyde is not complete until you’ve experienced date night here. While Alexandra and Clyde offer wineries and a few elegant dining options, such as Olivers Restaurant listed in The Luxury Guide to Alexandra & Clyde and Paulina’s Bar (6 Naylor Street, Clyde), the cafes are truly where these towns shine.

Enjoy the gorgeous gold-rush townscape of Clyde while dining outside The Old Clyde Bank (31 Sunderland Street). They serve hearty breakfast and lunch dishes to lighter meals and sweet treats from the cabinet.

A gorgeous venue inside and out, The Courthouse Cafe (8 Centennial Avenue, Alexandra) serves well-presented cafe treats among a historic building and gardens with fresh flowers on the table.

For more dining recommendations, head to The Foodie Guide to Alexandra & Clyde.

More About Alexandra and Clyde

That’s it for our honeymoon and romantic getaway guide to Alexandra and Clyde. For more advice and experiences to include in your romantic escape, check out the following articles:

We hope you found this guide to planning a honeymoon or romantic getaway for Alexandra and Clyde useful. Finally, you can find even more honeymoon tips in The Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway Guide to New Zealand.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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