The vistas in the Maniototo region of Central Otago
photos by Ron Laughlin(click on photo for closer look)
The Manitoto Region of Central Otago.
Distances to Ranfurly
Alexandra (Rt#8) 87kms
Duntroon via Danseys Pass 78kms
Dunedin via Middlemarch 149kms
Naseby 13kms
Palmerston(Rt#1) 80kms
Milton (Rt#1) 117kms
One of the finest "off the main road" excursions to take in The South Island. It is an area of big sky and mighty vistas with the second highest sunshine count in New Zealand. You can head that way from the East Coast turning inland at Palmerston, Dunedin or Milton or another way is driving south from the West Coast on Rt#6 to Alexandra.
The Coalpit Dam area outside of Naseby is a top picnic spot and makes a great swimming hole and excellent fishing. The Manuhherikia River off the road to St. Bathans is also an excellent fishing river.
We made it a point this year to be in Ranfurly the week of the Rural Art Deco Weekend held in March and was so glad we made that decision.
The weekend was marvelous beginning with the usually grand Maniototo weather.
The Ranfurly population of 957 swelled to bursting with locals and visitors alike dressed in the art deco theme and motoring along in fantastic automobiles of the era.
The history of the Art Deco buildings began in a re-building of the town in the early 1930’s. In 1999 the Ranfurly community, headed by Edna McAtamney, began the process of developing the town into a Rural Art Deco theme. It is a small town with a big identity now thanks to the earlier initiative. I understand this year was the last for Edna as her and her husband plan to step down from the hard work of running a winning festival. Thank you Edna for all those energetic years.
I find it wonderful when a town closes down it’s entire Main Street and turns it into a giant party. There was also a very large group of marathon runners on the RailTrail that passes through town. The RailTrail opened in 2000 and is maintained by DoC for all walkers, mountain bikers and occasionally horse riders. It is an improved site that once was occupied by the railway that brought the gold miners to Central Otago from Dunedin now a great new track for anyone wishing to have a go. You can involve yourself in as little or as much as you like along its length. Have a look at their website at: Rail Trail for more information.
I met Kay Dundass, local resident and journalist for the Otago newspaper, at the Cavalcade and she invited us to visit the Museum at Naseby. Kay has had a large part in promoting the town and especially the Museum. On Sunday when we got there she was at the Museum where we were given a personal and most fascinating tour. What a history! Naseby was once the heart of gold mining in the region. It is a most wonderful town to visit and stroll around. The houses have been refurbished to exemplify the town’s historic past.
We also had
the pleasure of stopping by the newly refurbished
Royal Hotel and received a personal tour through by Christopher Spears
who introduced himself as the owner’s partner. They have spent a great
deal of time bringing this building back to the way it was in the
beginning. Sunday evening it was packed with locals and visitors alike
enjoying a real pub evening. This is a town and a place we will
definitely go out of our way to enjoy again. I recommend you do the
same. Check out: www.naseby.co.nz.
At the top of the list of things to do while in the South Island is to
come to Naseby and have a look at the Indoor Curling Rink. Absolutely
fabulous. You get a chance to give it a go also. They are in the
process of a luge by winter 2008. Check out the information on their
website at Naseby Curling Rink
(www.curling.co.nz). This is a not to miss place to visit.
Last year we took the 42km drive over Dansy’s Pass to Naseby from Duntroon and noticed the Dansy’s Pass Coach Inn at 2000ft above sea level when we came through but didn’t take the time to stop so this time we drove the 16kms from Naseby and had a good look. Built in 1862 it still appears as if it is almost the same today. Worth a drive just to experience 16 kms from Naseby.
When in the area take the short
drive to St. Bathans and visit
the Hotel and the Blue Lake. We have stayed overnight at their
expansive Domain outside of town. To continue the drive around the
region continue on to have a look at Ophir assuming you began your tour
from the north coming from Palmerston turnoff on Route One or maybe the
road from outside Dunedin through Middlemarch.
The whole trip is exhilarating. You may want to extend your trip along the entire Otago Goldfields Heritage Trail that includes the route from Alexandra through Roxburgh and Lawrence back to Milton or go from Alexandra on to Cromwell continuing to Glenorchy, Queenstown, Arrowtown and Wanaka. 140 years ago the hills began ringing with the sounds of gold recovery and thousands descended upon this region to get rich. Still gold being discovered as this summer in Arrow River a nugget of the $10,000.00 size. Arrowtown was formed by the original gold discovery in 1862 where in the first two weeks over 42 lbs(19kg) 0f gold was panned.