Otago (Ōtākou) is located in the southern half of the South Island of New Zealand. It has an area of approximately 32,000 square kilometres. 

Major centres include Dunedin, Oamaru, Balclutha, Alexandra, and the major tourist centres Queenstown and Wānaka. 

Rich with rivers and lakes like the Waitaki and Clutha rivers provide much of the country's hydroelectric power. 

Vineyards and wineries have been developed in the Central Otago wine region where Pinot Noir is the predominant variety of wine.

The area was exploited for its gold in 1860's and even today gold is still mined. There are several well preserved ghost towns from this era such as Arrowtown and Naseby.

Larnach Castle is New Zealand's only castle and was built in the 1870's by William Larnach. It is located on the Otago Peninsula.