Otago
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Towards the southern end of the South Island there is a dramatic landscape of lakes, mountains, deep valleys and coastal plains – this is the region known as Otago. A region of climatic extremes, a continental climate in the central areas with hot dry summers and cold winters, and a milder climate on each of the East and West coasts, although the East is predominantly drier than the West.
The West Coast of the South Island is known for it’s fiord coastline especially the famous Milford and Doubtful Sounds, the East is much gentler and has two large coastal towns in Oamaru and Dunedin, whereas the central areas contain stunning scenery around Lake Wanaka and Queenstown areas.
Historically the region dates back to early Maori times when it would have presented quite a challenge to Maori as they wound their way through across the region to the West Coast in their search for the much revered greenstone (or “pounamu”) and of course hunting trips for food.
The first Europeans came to settle here in the mid 19th Century when the release of parcels of land for animal husbandry created some interest, but it was not until the “gold rush” of 1860’s that a wave of Europeans and others arrived. Several townships were established during this period. In more recent times the region has seen developments in hydro-electricity, agriculture (especially viticulture) and of course tourism (both summer and winter).
The gold rush of the 1860’s certainly made a significant human impact on the landscape. Thousands of people would have been “panning” for gold in the rivers and streams. And, towns soon sprung up in Clyde, Ophir, St. Bathams, Naseby, Bendigo, Carricktown, and Old Cromwell. However, by the early 1900’s the gold rush was over. There are many artefacts left behind such as evidence of diggings, dams, water races, and items of machinery. Great places to experience the gold rush are at the museums in Cromwell and Alexandra, and there is also a Goldfields Heritage Trail.
Today, the region’s main towns are Alexandra, Dunedin, and Oamaru. Alexandra is a good sized town with interesting arts and crafts, local museum, and nearby wineries. It has a gold miming heritage and nearby Clyde is a very well preserved example of a gold mining township.
Dunedin reputed to be New Zealand’s oldest city, and chiefly of Scottish heritage, dates from 1848. Today Dunedin has a population of around 125,000 people and is the main urban centre in Otago. The early Maori were the first to recognise the natural beauty of the harbour along the northern shores of what is now the Otago Peninsular. Then in 1848 two ships carrying Scottish migrants sailed into the harbour and set to building the “Edinburgh of the Southern Hemisphere”. Things speeded up a little a few years later when in 1861 gold was discovered inland in Central Otago. Dunedin prospered as the port and point of access to the gold fields, quickly becoming a financial centre too. The city’s architecture has a very distinct Scottish flavour with cathedral like church spires, gothic style buildings, a magnificent university and railway station buildings.
Dunedin offers visitors many opportunities to enjoy this part of New Zealand including sea kayaking, diving, walking, horse riding, and mountain biking to name a few activities. Along the Otago Peninsular it is possible to views the families of blue and yellow eyed penguins. There are cafes, bars and restaurants in the city and even a hair raising tour of the spookiest locations around town ! For those interested in arts and crafts there is a “jewellery quarter”, a Fine Arts School which sells design products in local retail outlets, Maori artefacts in the Hocken Library, a theatre, and several art galleries. The Otago Peninsular stetching along the southern shores of Otago Harbour is a wonderful scenic drive, reached easily from Dunedin centre yet a world apart. The area contains numerous small bays and sandy beaches, and inland some lush pastures and more rugged hills. Wildlife is abundant with great opportunities for bird spotting. A round trip is just over 60 kilometres and well worth the effort!
Oamaru is north of Dunedin and with a population of around 12,000 enjoys quite a relaxed pace of life. The town has a historic central precinct and is the capital of the Waitaki District. There are some lovely gardens in the town, and a substantial art gallery – the Forrester Gallery – also an excellent museum – the North Otago Museum. In the nearby harbour there is a colony of blue penguins.