Cromwell, New Zealand

Cromwell is a town in Central Otago in the Otago region of New Zealand.

It is situated between State Highway 6 (linking to Wanaka, 50 km north, and Queenstown, 60 km west) and State Highway 8 leading to the Lindis Pass, 75 km northeast, and Alexandra, 33 km south.

In 1862 gold was discovered at the river junction, leading to the arrival of thousands of miners. After gold became scarce, the area became a centre of fruit production and mainly pastoral farming.

Cromwell formerly lay at the confluence of the Clutha River and Kawarau River, but since the construction of the Clyde Dam and the filling of Lake Dunstan in the early 1990s the river confluence was drowned, as was the old town centre. In preparation for this, approximately one-third of the town was rebuilt on higher ground, including a new bridge, town centre, college, and civic amenities.

According to the 2001 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings, the permanent resident population of Cromwell was 2667, an increase of 54 since 1996.

Nearby settlements are at Bannockburn, Lowburn, and stub. You can help BambooWeb by .