What to do in Māniototo

REMOTE MĀNIOTOTO IS NEW ZEALAND’S ANSWER TO THE OUTBACK.

Save 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. Here's what you can enjoy while visiting.

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.

CYCLE TRAILS

Cycle the 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 Category 1 historic place.

HAYES ENGINEERING WORKS

Located in Ōtūrēhua, Hays Engineering Works was 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.

Ophir Post Office © Otago Central Rail Trail Marketing

Main Image: Walking, Māniototo © Central Otago District Council