Rainfall averages a month and sunshine 227 hours per month. Autumn is brilliant as the extensive orchards and poplar shelterbelts turn red, yellow and gold. Temperatures range from . Rainfall averages a month with 11 frosts monthly and 150 hours of sunshine. Winter brings a temperature range of , and average monthly rainfall of , 25 days with frosts and 107 hours of sunshine per month during the short days. "Central" The colloquial name for Central Otago is simply "Central". Residents from the surrounding regions may not talk about being in Central Otago or going to Central Otago - instead referring to being or going "up Central" (this usage is mainly limited to residents of Canterbury, Otago and Southland). The former Otago Central Railway, which ran through most of the major towns of Central Otago, was also referred to as 'the Central'. Areas around the area governed by the Central Otago District Council area are also often simply known as Central, such as Arrowtown, Queenstown and Wanaka. See also Clara Evelyn Hallam Otago Central Rail Trail Central Otago wine region References Geography of Otago