• Walks 
• Natural Features 
• Museum 
• Tours 
• Sports 

Walk, horse ride or cycle all or parts of the old Otago Central rail corridor turned into a public recreational track administered by Department of Conservation. It runs from Middlemarch to Clyde and is clearly sign posted. Brochure available from Tourist Information Centre, Railhead Store, Middlemarch.

Also check out the Otago Central Rail Trail: Middlemarch - Daisybank page or visit the official Otago Central Rail Trail site

Sutton Salt Lake

Department of Conservation walk trail to New Zealand's only inland salt lake is located on Kidd's Road (turn off from S.H. 87 near the Sutton railway crossing), the south end of the Strath Taieri Valley. Now included in a large scenic reserve (administered by Department of Conservation) there is a pleasant, marked walkway, with some information at the lake. The lake evaporates in dry periods, and is 30 cm deep at its highest.
.

Smooth Cone with its single pine tree planted on Armistice Day 1921.

This is private land but access may be available by ringing Ian Simpson on 4643804

Nearby, at Foulden Hill, a short distance further up the Macraes' road, a shallow basin is visible indicating the location of a crater lake, the result of a volcanic eruption some 20 million years ago.

Sometimes, mistakenly, called 'One Tree Hill.'

Rock and Pillar Range

Reaching 1450m above sea level and with a severe and changeable climate, the Rock and Pillar Range, named for its magnificent tors along the ridge, is available for the experienced tramper and ski tourer. The Department of Conservation has available brochure of public access ways for safe recreational use of the mountain. See also the "Big Hut" website.

The Tors

These schist rock outcrops, which rise out of the tussock to the south and west of the valley, have recently been encompassed in an outstanding landscape zone in the Dunedin District Plan. The rock is exposed when lighter surrounding material is eroded, leaving the remaining irregularly shaped and imposing rock structures.

Taieri River

The Taieri River is a river of huge importance to the area. It's catchment is almost 20% 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. Many of the tributaries are important breeding or spawning grounds. There are some tributaries that still have the koura, or freshwater lobster, although they are less common than they have been in the past. There are several good fishing sites, while in the lower stretches there are also opportunities for other recreational pursuits. In the Strath Taieri Valley it is spanned by three bridges: the Swing Bridge near Sutton, the modern bridge north of the township, and the historic stone bridge near the Hyde township. 
.

For further detailed information see also "Wild Dunedin" by Neville Peat and Brian Patrick, University of Otago Press, 1995 available at Railhead Store, Middlemarch.

To Top

Visit the Strath Taieri Historical Museum, operated by the Strath Taieri Historical Society.

Open Friday and Sunday 12 to 1pm during summer (to coincide with Taieri Gorge Train) or by appointment. Phone Dawn Ramsey 464 3835.

Items of particular interest:

• The submarine 'Platypus.' Built in Dunedin in 1873 for the purpose of dredging gold. Equipped with pumps and suction gear, a crew of four men and a captain would work the submarine. When resting on the bottom of a river or stream though to contain gold, prospecting would take place out of a latch situated where the submarine touched the bottom. It was first tested in the Otago Harbour in January 1974, but financial problems led to the company going into receivership. The liquidator sold the boat in April 1874 for 400 Pounds. The submarine ended up in four pieces on the Pukerangi station, 'The Reefs,' owned by Mr W Stewart. In 1991 Mr Stewart gave three of the pieces to the Museum, the connecting tower portion having gone missing. The Strath Lions Club transported the submarine to the Museum, where it is on display.
• A working black smith shop complete with bellows.
• A reconstruction of a pioneer's cottage.
• Numerous old horse drawn implements, including a dray and gig.

• Significant and Notable Trees of the Strath Taieri
  
  • The pine on Smooth Cone (mistakenly called 'Conical Hill' in some sources) was planted in 1918 to mark Armistice Day. It is visible from many locations on the Plain and has stood up to the gale-force winds, which are occasionally experienced in the area.
    
  • A small stand of Lombardy poplars near the remains of a stone cottage, built in the late 19th century. Located below Smooth Cone.
    
  • Pre-1880s oak tree registeredby the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture as Notable. See Notable Trees of the Strath Taieri and Heritage Drive.

• Potted Historic Bus Tour Available Sundays from the Railway Station during visits by Taieri Gorge Train or by prior arrangement. Phone Liz on 464 3782.
   
• e-Tours As you make your way along quiet gravel tracks, immersed in the serenity of golden Central Otago, it’s hard to believe that steam trains once plied these tracks. Now that this unique part of New Zealand has been reborn as a year-round cycling and walking track, eTOURS invites you to make this incomparable journey under your own steam. No cars, no trucks, and NO tour buses make the Rail Trail a great place to cycle.
  
  eTOURS have been associated with the Otago Central Rail Trail since its creation, so we know it like the back of our hand. We’ve given loads of people an experience they’ll never forget, and now it’s your turn.
  
  Contact:
  www.etours.net.nz
  Phone 64 3 471 8438
  Fax 64 3 477 7455
  Cell 64 21 180 0050
  

• Heritage Drives Self-drive tours - print out the map.
   
  
• Mt Ida Adventure Tours provides:

Chartered transport for groups up to ten in number participating in sports events, organised trips or attending special occasions.

Contact Details:
Noel Matthews
Mt Ida Adventure Tours
Telephone 03 464 3755
Mobile 027 251 0049
Email inquiries@xtra.co.nz

• Over the hill to Macraes Gold Mine. 2 hour tour of the largest gold recovery operation in New Zealand. Cost: $25 per adult, $10 per child.
  Pre-booking is essential and tours operate daily providing they have been pre-booked.
  Contact:  Oceanagold Ltd Information Centre, Macraes Rd, Macraes, Phone 03 465 2089 or 021 396 270. 

• Travel to Dunedin via Rail and see the Magnificent Taieri Gorge. Departures most Sundays in summer from Middlemarch as well as every other day from Pukerangi (a short drive from Middlemarch. Bus connection available - contact Newton's Coachways, Ph (03) 477 5577, Fax (03) 477 8147).
   
• Mural Walk Take a walk down Snow Avenue (street along station) and view the murals by Joe Paton depicting some of the history and wildlife of the Strath Taieri. On Swansea St (SH1) a large map of the Starth Taieri Valley with paintings of historical sites and natural phenomena by artist, Rebecca South.

To Top

• Golf 9 hole golf course. Men's competition Saturdays, women's competition Tuesdays. Green fees $5. Casual players welcome. Facilities incl. clubhouse, bar and catering available for hire by prior arrangement. Phone 464 3407.
   
• Outdoor Bowls Facilities incl. clubhouse, bar and catering available for hire by prior arrangement. Phone 464 3850.
   
• Tennis/Netball Courts At the Middlemarch show grounds.
   
• Fishing Taieri River and Loganburn Dam. Fishing licence available at Railhead Store.
   
• Moutain Bikes - see Otago Central Rail Trail
   
• Horse riding - see Otago Central Rail Trail
   
• Walks - Otago Central Rail Trail, Sutton Salt Lake and various, as yet unmarked, walks on the Rock & Pillars (see descriptions above). 

To Top