Cardrona valley & river is in beautiful Central Otago in the South Island of New Zealand.
The Cardrona flows north for 40 kilometres (25 mi) down the steep narrow Cardrona Valley. Its headwaters are near New Zealand's highest main road, the infamous Crown Range route (snow covered in winter). Be sure to stop in at the historic settlement, village of Cardona and the Cardrona skifield, then south of Wānaka township. The iconic local hotel is world-famous and a great stop for lunch, British royalty have dined here. Horse trekking is also available.