Otago / Southland
WIDE OPEN SPACES
Remote MĀNIOTOTO
TAKE A SELFIE IN FRONT OF THE GIANT STONE FRUIT SCULPTURE JUST OUTSIDE CROMWELL
NEW ZEALAND’S ANSWER TO THE OUTBACK
S
ave the occassional tractor and the odd sheep, little else will disturb you in Maniototo. A land of elevated plains and mountains, there’s something almost spiritual about this vast, timeless land. Populations are sparse; villages such as St Bathans boast seven people while the largest town, Ranfurly, is positively heaving with 400 residents.
WHAT TO DO DOG LOVERS REJOICE Ranfurly is the main service centre for Māniototo and boasts some surprising canine activities, such as Alaskan dogsledding and kennel
tours at The Real Dog.
Category 1 historic place.
CYCLE TRAILS Cycle the
HAYES ENGINEERING WORKS in Ōtūrēhua was
Roxburgh Gorge Trail and the Clutha Gold Trail, two joining trails that hug the edge of the Clutha River en route to Lawrence.
HAUNTED HOTEL Visit St Bathans and the reputedly haunted Vulcan Hotel.
THE BLUE LAKE The sun reflects off surrounding white cliffs and turns the water an unfathomable blue.
HISTORIC SPACES Discover beautiful historic buildings such as the Ophir Post Office. The 65-metre-span Daniel O’Connell suspension bridge, built in 1880 across the Manuherikia River, is a
RANFURLY after Governor of NZ 1897-1904 • 134km NW of Dunedin RANFURLY MOTELS
• Ground-floor family & studio units, full kitchens (sleeps up to 6). Quiet, park-like grounds, with outdoor games. Breakfast. • Easy walk to bar & cafés, guest laundry, free unlimited WiFi. • Otago Rail Trail 100m away. Ice skating/curling. Golf course. • Tariff: units from $140 (1-2 persons), extra person $25. 1 Davis Ave, Ranfurly • P: +64 3 444 9383 • Res: 0800 100 559 www.ranfurlymotels.co.nz • E: info@ranfurlymotels.co.nz
WEDDERBURN COTTAGES
• Comfortable 1928 farm homestead & 14 attractive, selfcontained cottages & miners huts. On Central Otago Rail Trail. • Under the Hawkdun Range, with stunning landscape. • Breakfast avail, laundry, TV & free WiFi. • Visit the Red Barn for water, toilets, shade, coffee and information. SH 85, Wedderburn, Central Otago • P: +64 3 444 9194 • M: +64 27 268 9194 www.wedderburncottages.co.nz • E: enquiries@wedderburn.net.nz
established in 1895 by Ernest Hayes and has manufactured some seriously innovative farming equipment.
LOVE BIKES? The Brass Monkey Motorcycle Rally is held annually in Ōtūrēhua.
NEAT PLACES Head to Wedderburn and visit the shed that inspired Grahame Sydney to paint ‘July on the Maniototo’.
FISHING The Taieri River is flush with brown trout, but few people know this.
TOP: Walking, Māniototo © Central Otago District Council INSET: Ophir Post Office © Otago Central Rail Trail Marketing
LOCAL TIP Misha Wilkinson – co-owner of Misha’s Vineyard Wines & Tasting Room shares two hidden gems in Cromwell • Arthur’s Cinema is located in Cromwell in an old Methodist church which was substantially renovated and is now a charming cinema seating 22 people. It’s cosy, they screen great films and there’s always an intermission for those ice cream purchases! • The Stoaker Room has perfected the art of cooking food in wine barrels. Located in the Freeway Orchard complex next to Lake Dunstan, it’s open for lunch and dinner.
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