The town of Lawrence
From
Route One at Clarksville (32kms south of Dunedin) turn left on
Route 8. The route is the major road from Dunedin to Queenstown. This
time we will only go to Lawrence a very up and coming small town with a
golden history.The town has over 50 buildings that the Historic Places
Trust have designated of "historic significance". They are now an
integral compliment to a pleasant stopping place of cafes, restaurants
and galleries. Over seeing the community is the old St Patrick's Church
opened in 1892 for the many Irish miners who migrated to the gold
fields and were Catholic.
In the centre of town is the Information Centre combined
with the
Goldfields Museum where you can discover the many walks and other
interests around the region such as the old cemetery dating from the
1860's. Be sure to travel to Gabriel's Gully where gold was discovered
in 1861 and where you can pan where they claim gold is still to be
found.
Stop
and visit the studios of working
craftspeople such as
Blue's Woodturning Gallery and grab some of the Wild Country Soaps.
Several gardens worth visiting, plenty of accommodations such as Oban
House, Marama Lodge, Gold Park Motor Camp and many others.
You are spoiled for choice when it comes to meals and drink with over
eight cafes and restaurants to choose from. As our personal choice we
like the Wild Walnut Cafe and Jafa's Wine Bar and Cafe.
If you are real lucky you may be there
mid-January when the Lawrence
Art Society have their annual exhibition at the Lawrence Summer Arts
Festival. The venue is at the beautiful Marama Lodge.
So even though you may be going south on Route One take
the very short
time it takes to veer off on route 8 to Lawrence. If you plan to return
to Route One go on through Lawrence after the visit and return on the
Tuapeka West Road. Stop at the Tuapeka Mouth to have a look at the
Clutha River ferry. Perhaps you might even want to cross the river. The
ferry opened in 1896 and has been operational ever since. (Take side
road to the right in Tuapeka South and then a left to the ferry). You
might even want to stop and try for a trout. From there it is less than
30kms to Balclutha. From there it is on to Invercargill. Two routes one
direct via Route One or the southern route via the Catlins.
Lawrence Region Information:
Lawrence
Information
Lawrence
Information
If
you need to get in touch with Ron or
Paula
(or Sylvester and Chocolate):
©
Copyright 2005
Ron Laughlin - All rights reserved
