Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Naseby Information & Crafts
(
03-444 9961; Derwent St;
11am-2pm Sun, Mon & Fri, to 4pm Sat)
Getting There & Away
The Ranfurly-Naseby Rd leaves SH85 4km north of Ranfurly. There's no public transport
and cyclists should factor in a 12km detour from the Rail Trail. From Naseby, you can
wind your way on unsealed roads northeast through spectacular scenery to Danseys Pass
and through to Duntroon in the Waitaki Valley.
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St Bathans
A worthwhile 17km detour north from SH85 heads into the foothills of the imposing Dun-
stan Mountains and on to diminutive St Bathans. This once-thriving gold-mining town of
2000 people is now home to only half a dozen permanent residents living amid a cluster
of cutesy 19th-century buildings.
The
Blue Lake
is an accidental attraction: a large hollow filled with amazingly blue water
that has run off abandoned gold workings. Walk along the sculpted cliffs to the lookout
for a better view of the alien landscape (one hour return).
The
Vulcan Hotel
( 03-447 3629;
stbathans.vulcanhotel@xtra.co.nz
;
Loop Rd; r per person $60)
is an at-
mospheric (and famously haunted) spot to drink, eat or stay in. Considering St Bathans'
tiny population, you'll find the bar here pretty busy on a Friday night as thirsty shearers
from around the valley descend en masse. Further accommodation is available at the
nearby
St Bathans Jail & Constable's Cottage
(
0800 555 016;
www.stbathansnz.co.nz
;
$145-340)
.
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Lauder, Omakau & Ophir
Separated by 8km of SH85, tiny
Lauder
and larger
Omakau
(population 250) are good stops
if you're a hungry Rail-Trailer with a sore bum and in need of a feed and a bed. However,
the area's real gem is adorable
Ophir
(population 50), 2km from Omakau across the
Manuherikia River.
Gold was discovered here in 1863 and the town swiftly formed, adopting the name of
the biblical place where King Solomon sourced his gold. By 1875, the population hit over
