A cottage unlike any other
Built in the gold rush era of 1868, The Junction is one of Cromwell’s oldest and most storied properties —a schist stone cottage whose walls are nearly two feet thick and whose history reaches across three continents.
Sympathetically restored and lovingly presented, The Junction offers four bedrooms, a clawfoot bath and shower, a fully equipped kitchen, and a verandah with one of the finest views in Central Otago. The cast iron coal range in the kitchen is a decorative feature of the cottage — a reminder of how Central Otago kitchens once looked. The walls, nearly two feet thick, are the work of William Gair — the Shetland-born stonemason whose craftsmanship is written in schist across Cromwell’s finest buildings. A five minute walk leads to the Old Cromwell Heritage Precinct — the gold rush buildings of the 1860’s preserved on the shores of Lake Dunstan with their stories still intact. The heritage compendium by the display cabinet tells the full story of the remarkable people who lived here — a newspaper founder, a Captain killed at the Somme, a world-renowned surgeon, and a woman who raised seven children alone, and a devoted local historian who spent 52 years preserving it all.
Everything you need
Four bedrooms — Sleeps eight comfortably across two queen rooms, one double and a bunk room. Perfect for groups of friends and wine country gatherings, or a couple seeking a historic retreat entirely to themselves.
Clawfoot Bath — A deep clawfoot bath and separate shower — the perfect end to a day on the Lake Dunstan Trail or a long afternoon exploring the cellar doors.
Full Kitchen — Fully equipped for self-catering, Fill it with Central Otago’s celebrated produce, stone fruit and award-winning wines.
Heritage Orchard — Dundonald apricots, heritage fruit trees and a holly hedge as old as the cottage itself.
Schist Walls — Nearly two feet thick, hand-laid by master stonemason William Gair of the Shetland Islands. Once warm, they stay warm.
Lake Dunstan Trail — One of New Zealand’s Great Rides begins at the gate — 55km to Clyde through spectacular gorge and vineyard scenery.
Water views — Wake to the stillness of Lake Dunstan and the hills beyond.
Smart TV &WiFi — High-speed WiFi throughout — although the verandah view may prove more compelling.
"I can only hope that you and your family will spend happy times here and develop something of the affection for it that we all have"
Leslie William Jolly (Bill) — written to Alastair Murray, 21 July 1975, fifty nine years after his father was killed at the Somme
A story 157 years in the making
1868-1891 · The Printer's Cottage
James Matthews, co-founder of the Cromwell Argus, and Stephen Noble Brown — journalist, mayor and the man who printed the news that shaped a gold rush town.
1893-1950 · The Jolly Family
The Jolly family were woven into the fabric of Cromwell. Captain William David Jolly lived in this cottage from 1893 until he was killed at the Somme on 14 July 1916. His wife Elizabeth raised their six children and niece here alone for a further 33 years — all educated to tertiary level. Their son Douglas became one of the 20th century's greatest war surgeons.
1973-2025 · Alastair Murray
Fifty-two years of faithful stewardship. A passionate local historian, Mr. Murray dedicated decades to researching the property's history and assembling a remarkable collection of gold mining artifacts and archives — The Murray family left the cottage for future generations to discover.
Where the two rivers meet
From the verandah, the panorama opens before you — up the Clutha River to the Cromwell Bridge, up the Kawarau River to the vineyards at Cornish Point, and down Lake Dunstan to the rugged cliffs of the Cromwell Gorge. The sun sets behind the Pisa Range.
Lake Dunstan now defines the landscape around Cromwell. When the lake formed the original main street was lost beneath the water. The cottage survived on higher ground, renumbered 13, its history intact.
From the Bruce Jackson Lookout across the lake, 13 Inniscort St is clearly visible across the water.
At the heart of wine country
Whether exploring on foot, by boat, by bike or by car, Central Otago rewards in every direction. The Junction sits at the confluence of two rivers, at the edge of New Zealand's finest pinot noir country.
Heritage Precinct — 5 min walk. Home to the D.A. Jolly & Sons building
Highlands Motorsport Park — 5 min drive
Bannockburn Cellar Doors — 10 min drive
Clyde & Rail Trail — 15 min drive
Queenstown — 50 min drive
Wanaka — 45 min drive
