- Est. Median Value
- $1.01M
- Median Weekly Rent
- $400/wk
- Safety Score
- 94/100
- Green Space
- 29%
- Current Weather
- 5.5°C
- Median Age
- 39 yrs
~31 crimes/1k/yr
few clouds
Living in Tarras
Tarras sits on State Highway 8 in the Lindis Valley, around 30 km south of Wānaka and midway between Cromwell and the Lindis Pass, and it is the kind of settlement that functions as a community mainly because the people living there decided it should. Around 200 permanent residents occupy the flat valley blocks around the garage, the school, the community hall and the Tarras Country Store, which are the four pillars of a Tarras education in how small communities sustain themselves.
The valley around Tarras is merino and cropping country on the Clutha's upper tributary terraces, with stone fruit appearing on the lower irrigated flats in the Central Otago manner. The proposed Wānaka Airport development at Tarras generated several years of district planning debate whose intensity was inversely proportional to the current population, which is either an argument for the development or against it depending on where you live.
The tussock ranges frame the valley in all directions, and the Lindis River runs through on its way to the Clutha, providing the fishing access that river-flat settlements in Central Otago always manage to mention. Tarras sits below the Pisa Range on the west and the Hawkdun district on the east.
Tarras School serves the valley's children; Cromwell's secondary options are 30 minutes south.
Is Tarras a good place to live?
Tarras is home to roughly 1,509 people across 216.3 km². On Suburb's overall livability scale, Tarras scores 55 out of 100, with a safety score of 94/100 and 29% green space.
Schools: Tarras has 1 school in or near the suburb, spanning early-childhood through to secondary education. See the Schools tab below for the full list.
Housing: The estimated median value is around $1.01M, and weekly rent typically sits around $400.
Lifestyle: Tarras has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. Public transport stops are within easy reach. The current temperature is 5.5°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Tarras is right for you depends on what you’re looking for. Use the data and community tips below to decide if it suits your lifestyle, family and budget.
Map
Livability Breakdown
- Safety94
- Amenities12
- Schools48
- Housing Affordability37
- Green space97
- Community89
- Transport10
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $1.01M
- Median Weekly Rent
- $400/wk
- Median HH Income
- $111K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- +20.0%
- Data Year
- 2023
Key Financial Indicators (NZD)
† Est. Median Value is suburb.co.nz's own estimate, modelled from available public data. We aim for accuracy, but where data is limited, estimates may be imprecise.
Nearby Suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Tarras?
- Tarras is in the Lindis Valley, Central Otago, on State Highway 8 around 30 km south of Wānaka and 30 km north of Cromwell, in the upper Clutha tributary basin.
- What is Tarras known for?
- Tarras is a small valley service settlement known for the proposed Wānaka Airport development site that has generated sustained planning and political attention, and for the Tarras Country Store's outsize reputation for the locality's size.
- Is the Wanaka Airport being built at Tarras?
- The Tarras site was investigated as an alternative location for a new Wānaka Airport, with plans going through extended consultation and planning processes. Check current status for the latest position on the proposal.
- What schools are in Tarras?
- Tarras School serves the local primary years, with secondary students travelling to Cromwell College around 30 minutes south.
- How do I get from Wānaka to Tarras?
- By car, around 30 minutes south on State Highway 8 through the Lindis Valley, passing the junction with the Cromwell road.
- Which schools are in zone for Tarras?
- Tarras is not covered by a school enrolment zone. Nearby schools may accept enrolments under open enrolment or by application.
- How do I check my school zone in Tarras?
- Use the School Zone Checker on this page. Enter your address to check your school zone and see which schools you have a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Schools & Enrolment Zones in Tarras
Schools in zone for Tarras
No enrolment-zoned schools cover Tarras. The schools below are the nearest options — many operate open enrolment.
Check your school zone
School Zone Checker
Enter your address to check your school zone in Tarras. School enrolment zones (home zones) decide which schools your child has a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Address matching is approximate and based on OpenStreetMap geocoding — confirm an exact result near a zone boundary directly with the school.
Other nearby schools
Schools close to Tarras that you may be able to enrol at under open enrolment or by application (outside your home zone).
Tarras School
Full Primary · roll 31 · decile 6 · 2.3 km away
Explore Tarras
Things to do(1)
Central Otago
Parks & green spaces(1)
Central Otago
Healthcare
Pharmacies and clinics for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Eat & Drink in Tarras
Places to eat & drink(1)
Tarras Country Cafe
Tradies & Services in Tarras
Tradies & services(1)
HBH Joinery
Shops in Tarras
Shops(2)
Mrs Robinson
Perriam
Tarras Weather
Current conditions: 5.5°C, few clouds
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 23.51 | 11.77 | 2.05 | 12.07 |
| ☀️ Feb | 21.87 | 10.76 | 1.74 | 11.89 |
| 🍂 Mar | 18.07 | 7.75 | 3.11 | 10 |
| 🍂 Apr | 15.64 | 6.04 | 3.24 | 8.22 |
| 🍂 May | 11.01 | 3.01 | 2.29 | 6.31 |
| ❄️ Jun | 6.9 | 0.52 | 1.37 | 5.07 |
| ❄️ Jul | 7.35 | -0.25 | 1.89 | 6.03 |
| ❄️ Aug | 9.25 | 0.06 | 1.96 | 7.81 |
| 🌸 Sep | 12.48 | 2.68 | 6.67 | 8.81 |
| 🌸 Oct | 14.76 | 4.31 | 5.36 | 10.25 |
| 🌸 Nov | 17.78 | 7.04 | 2.5 | 11.91 |
| ☀️ Dec | 21.41 | 10.91 | 2.74 | 12.57 |
Tarras Community
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