Central Otago is a place of expansive rolling hills, impressive rivers, tranquil country towns and sprawling farmland. The gold rush of the 1860s was the biggest in the country and the influx of prospectors led the establishment of a number of towns across the region. However, many of the smaller settlements were quickly deserted in favour of better gold finds and larger towns, such as nearby Dunedin and Cromwell, and these days farming, fruit growing and tourism are the main source of income along with a flourishing wine industry. The dry climate and soil mean that the landscape is a mix of muted greens and browns, turning to soft oranges and gold in Autumn, and the remarkably unruffled pace of life makes this a thoroughly charming area to visit.