Alexandra
Destination
With Central Dunstan (Clyde) only 8km up the Clutha river Lower Dunstan was the original name given to Alexandra. In 1863 the name Alexandra was adopted to celebrate the marriage of a Danish princess of the same name to the Prince of Wales. The much-loved Danish Princess Alexandra became Queen consort in 1901 when the Prince of Wales was crowned King Edward V11.
Alexandra is the biggest town you will encounter on the Central Otago Rail Trail with close to 5,000 citizens, swelling significantly during the summer holiday period because of the very warm temperatures. In fact, the climate in Alexandra is so dry that it is only just below the international classification for being semi-arid. Summer
temperatures are regularly over 30 degrees Celsius and often the hottest in the country.
As well as the holiday makers, the orchardists love the climate and stone-fruits such as cherries, apricots and nectarines are the significant back-bone of the regional economy. In the past couple of decades vineyards have also become very popular. In Spring the flowering of the orchards gives rise to one of New Zealand’s most popular festival - the Alexandra Blossom Festival.
As well as Lower Dunstan, Alexandra has also been referred to in the past as Manuherikia and The Junction Township because of it’s location at the confluence of Manuherikia River and the Clutha River.
