This dissertation looks at (a) How successful towns in Cental Otago have integrated historical and tourist aspects. (b) How contemporary development can retain a "sense of place" in historical towns. This has been done by (a) an overview of tourism and tourist trends in New Zealand (b) historical development and decay of townships in Central Otago - case studies of Queenstown, Arrowtown and Clyde. (c) How the historical component is revealed in contempory townships (d) How townships can incorporate historical association to provide the tourist with a greater "sense of space" and identity with the township.