Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Stationside Cafe
(Lauder-Matakanui Rd, Lauder; mains $8-18; 7am-5pm Oct-Apr)
Home baking and country cooking
are showcased at this great little trailside place. Options include healthy salads, sand-
wiches, soups and pasta.
CAFE
$
Muddy Creek Cafe
(2 Harvey St, Omakau; mains $8-16; 8.30am-7pm Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm Sun)
Take a break from the Rail
Trail at this friendly spot festooned with old radios. Cafe treats include all-day breakfasts,
pasta, pies and ice cream, or you can grab a burger or fish and chips from the takeaway
counter.
CAFE
$
WORTH A TRIP
ROXBURGH
Heading south from Alexandra, SH8 winds along rugged, rock-strewn hills above the Clutha River as it passes
Central Otago's famous orchards. In season, roadside fruit stalls sell just-picked stone fruit, cherries and berries.
En route are a scattering of small towns, many dating from gold-rush days.
Thirteen kilometres south of Alexandra,
Speargrass Inn
( 03-449 2192;
www.speargrassinn.co.nz
; 1300
Fruitlands-Roxburgh Rd (SH8), Fruitlands; d $180; ) has three units in attractive gardens. The original 1869
building houses a charming
cafe
(lunch $18-21, dinner $20-31; 9am-4pm Mon & Thu, 9am-7pm Fri-Sun).
It's a good place to stop for coffee and cake, and stock up on tasty homemade preserves and chutneys.
Further south, the Clutha broadens into
Lake Roxburgh
, with a large hydroelectric power station at its ter-
minus, before rushing past Roxburgh itself (population 522). Call into the friendly
Visitor Information Centre
(
03-446 8920;
www.centralotagonz.com
;
120 Scotland St; 9am-5pm daily Nov-Mar, Mon-Fri Apr-Oct)
for information on mountain biking, water sports and seasonal fruit-picking work in the surrounding apple and
stone-fruit orchards.
Another source of fruit-picking contacts is
Villa Rose Backpackers
( 03-446 8761;
www.villarose.co.nz
;
79 Scotland St; dm $30, d with/without bathroom $105/80; ). This lovely old bungalow has spacious dorm
rooms, comfortable self-contained units and a huge modern kitchen.
Before you leave Roxburgh, drop into
Jimmy's Pies
( 03-444-8596; 143 Scotland St; pies $4-6;
7.30am-5pm Mon-Fri), renowned across the South Island since 1959. If you're at a loss as to which meaty pastry
to choose, try the apricot chicken - you're in orchard country after all.
Continuing south from Roxburgh, the road passes through Lawrence and the Manuka Gorge Scenic Reserve, a
scenic route through wooded hills and gullies. SH8 joins SH1 near Milton.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Alexandra
POP 4800
