Visit surrounding townships

Hyde

Hyde was very much a settlement of the Otago’s gold rush era. When in 1894 the Otago Central Railway reached the station site 2km out of town on the only area of flat land considered big enough for railway operations, Hyde had a number of hotels, blacksmith, butcher, baker, saddlers, stonemason, a courthouse, school and several churches. Most of these and numerous houses have now gone but Hyde, named after a former Mayor of Dunedin and to this day part of Dunedin City, is far from a ghost town. Hyde is headquarters for a large transport firm that has gone from strength to strength following the closure of the railway, is the centre for the local farming community, has a busy schist rock quarry and is the source of clay much sought after for craft and commercial pottery. With the opening of the Rail Trail, the last of Hyde’s original hotels was literally brought back from the brink of being condemned.

Some 4km south of Hyde township is where until the Tangiwai disaster in 1953, New Zealand’s worst train disaster happened. On June 4, 1943, the Cromwell to Dunedin Express failed to take a bend. Of the 113 passengers on board, 21 lost their lives. A poignant commemorative display is open to the public in the Ranfurly Station building.

Hyde is an ideal step off point for a visit to historic Macraes Flat and the enormous Macraes gold mine, a 24/7 operation that averages 170,000 ounces of gold annually.

Ranfurly

Ranfurly, named after the fifth Earl of Ranfurly, the 15th Governor General of New Zealand, is the service centre for the Maniototo area. When the Central Otago railway line was constructed, it bisected the Maniototo Plain, and Ranfurly became the central point of the line. The County Offices, banks and other services were moved from Naseby to Ranfurly and from the 1930's the town developed rapidly, adopting the Art Deco building style popular during that era. This theme is being used to create a unique persona for this small town - Rural Art Deco.

Naseby

It is the most charming of Otago's gold rush settlements (often referred to as the 'Jewel of the Maniototo'), with a wealth of surviving Victorian architecture, and some remaining buildings constructed from adobe (sun dried mud brick). Gold was discovered in 1863 by the Parker brothers and as many as 5000 diggers once toiled on its gold fields, but this "poorman's field" as it was known made recovering the gold a sometimes thankless task. Naseby's present day, permanent population is 100, but this swells to upwards of 3000 people during the holiday season, with crib (holiday home) owners and camping ground dwellers enjoying the tranquil delights of this corner of the Maniototo. Coupled with a growing number of farmstays and homestays, the new gold for Naseby is its visitor experience.

Danseys

Pass Danseys Pass was named after William Dansey, lessee of Otekaieke run in North Otago till 1871. He used the route to enter and explore the Maniototo. The Danseys Pass Hotel was built in 1862 by Edwin George, its stonework paid for in beer. The hotel served the local miners working the Upper Kyeburn River. The hotel has been redeveloped into a world renowned Coach Inn, but the goldfields are long gone along with the miners from many countries, who planted a tree representing their homeland in the German Creek Reserve behind the hotel. The hotel is the last stop on the Danseys Pass Road, a memorable drive through rolling tussock country, winding over the mountains to North Otago.

St Bathans

With a present population of 5 people and one hotel, it is a far cry from the days of 2000 people and 13 hotels. Situated beside the beautiful Blue Lake (created by the sluicing and channelling of the gold diggers), the intense blue colour of the lake is caused by the mineral content of the surrounding cliffs. The 120 metre high hill the lake site was, is now a 69 metre deep hole, the deepest mining hole in the Southern Hemisphere. The adobe (sun dried mud brick) buildings, notably the Vulcan Hotel, reflect a theme common throughout Central Otago. With virtually no timber available in the goldfields areas, miners and other settlers used whatever was to hand to build their dwellings. Another notable building is the Post Office, a double story kauri building which still retains a postal service with its own unique postmark. A business called Despatches is operated from the Post Office where you can buy gifts reminiscent of a bygone era and have your postcards stamped with the St Bathans postmark.

Te Papanui Conservation Park

Te Papanui is a remote area of tussock grassland. The 21,000 hectare park was opened in March 2003, and was created from existing protected areas, land purchased by the Nature Heritage Fund, and an outcome of the pastoral lease tenure review process. Te Papanui is situated on the Lammerlaw and Lammermoor ranges, west of Dunedin.

Te Papanui Conservation Park is special because it is an area of very high ecological value, protecting a large intact indigenous tussock grassland area. Tussock grasslands are becoming rare on an international level due to grazing and burning for agricultural purposes. The park also fulfils a significant role to the people of Otago region, protecting sixty percent of Dunedin's water catchment area.Te Papanui also boast outstanding landscape qualities. The broad expanses of tussock grassland are relieved intermittently by bogs and tarns and there is a strong sense of remoteness. Te Papanui is managed by the department as a remote experience area. It has opportunities for walking, mountain biking, 4-wheel driving, horse trekking, cross country skiing and hunting.

The Otago Central Rail Trail

The Otago Central Rail Trail (OCRT) is a 150-kilometre long former railway track, which has been redeveloped for the recreational use of walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The Trail follows the old Otago Central railway line from Middlemarch to Clyde. The rail trail has been voted 16th most popular must do for kiwis! Visit our companion website Gladbrook Luxury Rail Trail Tours, www.luxuryrailtrailtours.co.nz, for more information.

Sutton Salt Lake

A real gem, Sutton Salt Lake is New Zealand's only inland salt lake, located on Kidds Road at the south end of the Strath Taieri Valley.

From Gladbrook, turn right and follow the road some 3 kilometres to the car park. Now included in a large scenic reserve (administered by Department of Conservation), a marked walkway takes you through the tall grasses and a landscape scattered with schist tors shaped from erosion. The lake evaporates in dry periods and is 30cm deep at its highest. It is about one third as salty as seawater and provides a habitat for a variety of salt tolerant plants normally only found in coastal regions. From the Cottage at Gladbrook, you have a rare view of Sutton Salt Lake. Ask us about arranging a delicious picnic for you at this unique Salt Lake. www.otago.ac.nz/geology/research/environmental_geology/geomorphology/suttonsaltlake.html

Taieri Gorge Train

Departing daily (except Christmas day), the Taieri Gorge Train takes you on a journey through the rugged and spectacular Taieri River Gorge, across wrought iron viaducts and through tunnels carved by hand and faced with hand hewn stone masonry more than 100 years ago.

With full commentary, photographic stops, comfortable heating in winter and on-board refreshments, the train offers year-round, all-weather entertainment. You can make the return journey to Pukerangi, or Middlemarch, or use the train as the one leg of your journey to or from Queenstown and Central Otago. Please check the detailed online timetable for summer and winter schedule. www.taieri.co.nz

Walking

The Rock and Pillar Range reaches 1450m above sea level and is named for its magnificent tors along the ridge. Over 5000 hectares along the western (Middlemarch) side of the Rock and Pillar Range have already been protected and allocated to Department of Conversation as a result of tenure reviews. So far, four Department of Conservation tracks provide access to the Rock and Pillar recreation areas. Points of access are sign-posted north of Middlemarch township, as well as a recent addition on Gladbrook Road near Gladbrook. Ask us about our farm walk which connects you with the track.

Situated on top of the Rock and Pillar Range is the Big Hut. At 4300 feet above sea level, it is the highest habitation within the limits of Dunedin City. The Hut provides welcome shelter and accommodation for year-round recreational activities, including tramping, rock climbing, botanising, landscape photography, as well as cross-country skiing. As mentioned above, you can also walk the Otago Central Rail Trail or the Sutton Salt Lake. www.middlemarch.co.nz/big_hut/

Macraes Goldmine

The largest active gold mine in New Zealand, Oceania Gold at Macraes, is located 30 kilometres from Middlemarch. The mine offers informative tours where you will see enormous trucks and excavators in action. Visit heritage mining sites, including a complete battery stamper, view the gigantic Fraser’s open cast pit, and the CAT maintenance base. The tour includes a visit to New Zealand’s newest rainbow trout hatchery, a joint community-focused project between the mine and Fish and Game Otago. You will also visit the historic village of Macraes. The tour is an exciting mix of the old and the new all set in the amazing landscape of East Otago. Ask us about arranging a tour. www.oceanagoldtours.com

Golf

Take some time out to enjoy a game of golf at the Middlemarch Golf Club. The excellent 9-hole course is situated just outside the Middlemarch township. Green fees are $5; casual players are welcome. If you’re a keen golfer, there are also courses situated in Pateroa, Ranfurly, Naseby, and many other neighbouring townships.

Hunting & Fishing

There are many open hunting areas in the district. All types of hunting can be arranged from deer, goat and pig, and possum to rabbit. Access is through private land. Please contact us to arrange access.

For some of the most superb fishing in New Zealand, the Taieri River is probably the best kept fisherman's secret there is. The Taieri River is a river of huge importance to the area. Its catchment is almost 20 percent of Otago and it is New Zealand's third longest river at 318 km. It has a variety of fish life, most notable the introduced brown trout and salmon. www.taieri.net.nz

There is also The Great Moss Swamp (also known as the Loganburn Reservoir) located on the top of the Rock and Pillar Range, close to the former gold mining route of the Old Dunstan Road. Originally an actual swamp, a dam to store water for irrigation and hydroelectricity has turned the 'swamp' into a lake. The swamp is drained by the Logan Burn, which feeds into the Taieri River at Paerau

Drive over Old Dunstan Trail

Explore some of Otago’s most remote yet scenic area. This old track was created by the miners that arrived in Dunedin and made their way into Central Otago for the gold rush. It is the most direct route through this rugged landscape and is dotted with intriguing bits of history. Ask us about arranging a tour.