Tarbert Cottage: "Central on Tarbert"
Your Holiday Home in Alexandra, New Zealand

WELCOME to Tarbert Cottage.

This is our family home. We live here part of the year. We have family who live just around the corner. When we are not here, we are pleased to be able to share our home with you. We have furnished it so it is a comfortable place to live – we are sure you will be just as comfortable as we are.

Our charming, two bedroom home sleeps up to four people. One bedroom has a Queen bed, the other has two single beds. You will find every comfort needed for your stay in Alexandra.

Our cottage is only a few minutes walk to shops, cafes and restaurants. There is a well-stocked convenience store a few doors away and excellent supermarkets a few minutes by car. All shops stock the range of food and goods you would expect - and all showcase local Central Otago food and wines: pinot noir being the outstanding vintage.

There are plenty of food outlets nearby from dining to takeaways - dining at The Ida Bar and The Finery, takeaway Kiwi fish and chips, Domino pizzas, Subway, KFC, Mexican, Indian, Chinese, sushi etc.

(And if you really need it there is a 7-day medical centre just two doors away!)

Where

Tarbert Cottage is in the town of Alexandra, an historic location just over an hour's drive from Queenstown International Airport.

This is New Zealand - but I think you already knew that.

Alexandra is in Central Otago, close to Clyde and Cromwell and not far from Queenstown.

Within Central Otago	Driving Time	Distance
Clyde	6 mins	8 km
Cromwell	25 mins	34 km
Roxburgh	32 mins	41 km
Queenstown Airport	1 hr 10 mins	89 km
Cardrona	1hr 16 mins	104 km
Neighbouring locations	Driving Time	Distance
Dunedin (via Ranfurly)	2 hr 41 mins	214 km
Dunedin (via Roxburgh)	2 hr 25 mins	190 km
Christchurch (via Lindis Pass)	5 hr 25 mins	447 km
Haast/West Coast	2 hr 54 mins	217 km
Hokitika	6 hr 33 mins	495 km
Westport	8 hr 37 mins	633 km
Invercargill	2 hr 27 mins	193 km
Oamaru	2 hr 41 mins	221 km
Te Anau	3 hr 6 mins	250 km
Mt Cook/Aoraki	2 hr 44 min	231 km

Accommodation

This is a beautiful cottage for one or two people or a family of up to four. It is private and fully self-contained. It has a modern bathroom with walk-in shower, demister mirror and under-floor heating (wonderful in Winter or on cooler mornings). The kitchen also is modern and well-equipped with induction hob, full 13-function oven and a microwave. The heat pump easily heats the whole house.

The wifi is powered by fibre with plenty of capacity to stream movies and music.

The Cottage's Environmental Footprint

In April-May 2026 we extensively renovated The Cottage, removing the old gas-powered systems. The Cottage now has:

A modern heatpump hot water system that uses up to 75% less power (but still keeps the water wonderfully hot).
A bathroom with a new walk-in shower to take advantage of the hot water system.
A new 6kW heat pump to heat or cool the Cottage.
A new induction cook top and 13-function oven.
Double-glazed windows and upgraded wall and ceiling insulation.

But best of all we added 20 new solar power panels to the roof, capable of generating up to 8kW of electricity to power the Cottage. And any power left over is sent to the National Grid to reduce the load on hydro, gas and coal generation.

Around And About Alexandra

Conveniently situated near the centre of Alexandra, there are a range of locally owned retail and food businesses that are within easy walking distance.

Local Activities

River bank walking and cycling trails

There are easy walking trails alongside the rivers. From Tarbert Cottage, walk to the Medical Centre, turn left onto Fox St and then right onto Kerry St. This takes you to the river trails and to the world-famous "Shaky Bridge" that takes you (safely) over the Manuherikia River. You can walk either way by the river, or cross the bridge and go left or right on the road.

Children’s Playground

The best and closest children’s playground is at Pioneer Park, on the corner of Centennial Ave and Shannon St. Walk down Tarbert St towards town, on the right you will see Pioneer Park and its large grass playing fields. Walk diagonally across the park to reach the playground.

Alexandra Museum

The Alexandra Museum and Art Gallery is at 21 Centennial Ave, adjacent to Pioneer Park. The Museum is free and they have some excellent displays including a large exhibit on the gold dredging history of the region.

Public Library

The local public library is at 43 Tarbert St. You are welcome to visit and browse their collections, but you need to be a resident to borrow books. They have a very good children’s section where you can sit and read (excellent on cold, foggy days).

Mountain biking trails

There are plenty of mountain bike trails near Alexandra. The closest, and some say the best, is the Matangi Station MTB that can be accessed just across the Shaky Bridge. You will need a Pass, these can be purchased online: see Matangi Station MTB.

The Central Otago Rail Trail

There are 152km of rail trail for you to explore. Bring your own bikes or organise bikes, transport and more through one of the companies that service the rail trail industry. Start with an overview of the network at: Otago Rail Trail Website

We recommend you talk to Trail Journeys: Trail Journeys Website.

Central Otago Wine Trail

Central Otago has become one of the premier wine regions of New Zealand. The region is best known for its Pinot Noir, but it also produces some delicious Pinot Gris, Riesling and other white wines. There are over 124 wineries in the area, covering Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell, Wanaka, Gibbstown and Queenstown. Some have cellar doors where you can visit and sample (and buy) their wines. You can also find many of their wines in the local supermarkets or liquor stores (try New World or Liquorland in Centennial Ave).

Search online here for a list of vineyards.

Wineries with food:
Mt Difficulty Wines: 73 Felton Rd, Bannockburn
Monte Christo Wines: 100 Springvale Rd, Clyde
Wild Earth Wines. Tastings and food at their Stoaker Room Restaurant. 180 State Highway 8B, Cromwell.
Misha’s Vineyard: 182 State Highway 8B, Cromwell.
Cloudy Bay. 45 Northburn Station Road, RD3 Cromwell.
Nanny Goat Wines. 68 Queensberry Terrace, Wanaka.

And of course the Skiing!

Alexandra has the lowest rainfall in New Zealand, BUT that does not mean the region is without snow. A short drive (around 1-1½ hours) will get you to the best ski slopes in New Zealand - Cardrona, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone.

We’d be delighted to welcome you.