Trip Report - Otago history tour - 1st October 2023
We left the start at 9am with the intent to take as many back gravel roads as possible headed for Palmerston via Trotters gorge with Craig giving an informative coverage over the radio on the gold prospecting history in the Hampden and Trotters area before arriving at the Palmerston Vintage Machinery public open day.
After enjoying a coffee in the sunshine we were invited to have a look around the complex where volunteers have obviously spent hours restoring old farm working machinery as well as plenty of other forms of engines and equipment used throughout the region in by gone days. It was great looking around and often saying to each other “I remember using one of those”.
While there Craig even shared his knowledge on the local water reticulation process that supplies the towns that we live in. Interesting information on something we generally take for granted.
The plan was to be at Stanley’s Hotel for lunch so we headed for Macraes via Taieri Peak road and Golden Bar road stopping a few times to read the info boards that DOC and Oceania have erected informing aspects on the early gold prospecting history in the area which is now the Macraes mine. The mining operation is now massive. The pit sure is a big hole but the tunnels under ground following the pay seams are extending out to under the sea. The overburdened stock piles are truly a landscape feature of there own.
Arriving at Stanley’s Hotel, our first thoughts were “where have all these people come from" as the Dunedin Classic car club were also in for lunch. The hotel crew did very well as lunch was served within a reasonable time frame. Great lunch,probably the best burger ive had in ages.
Next stop was Nenthorn, the old gold field town. We stood in what was Stanley St and the only stone structure still standing,Craig handed out a survey map of the town dating 1889 and gave a rundown of what was. It is hard to imagine what life was really like for the 2000 people who tried to make a living here between 1884 and 1904.
Last stop for a cuppa at Bucklands Crossing for a debrief before heading home
A big Thank you Craig for your time and info resurch. Great to have a relatively short trip, a good chunk on gravel back roads visiting interesting areas in our back yard.
I have to say there are times club members ask for close to home easy social trips and this was one of those enjoyed by who took part.
Harry Van der Pauw
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