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Once a relatively busy little settlement, Waipiata (Shining or Clear Water) was the local train station for the 112 bed tuberculosis sanatorium 7km away on the slopes of the Rock and Pillar Range. Now a religious retreat, the old sanatorium’s complex of large buildings, mostly dating back to the 1920s, is an incongruous sight in such an isolated area. Waipiata was also a major railway construction camp and until rabbit prices slumped in the 1920s, had a thriving rabbit processing industry.

There was a time when Waipiata’s future had been mapped out to be the Maniototo’s population and economic centre. Unfortunately Waipiata’s optimistic visionaries had not foreseen gold discoveries in the foothills of the Mt Ida and Kakanui Ranges, and the almost overnight appearance of ‘tent-town’ Naseby.

Waipiata has lots to offer Rail Trailers tempted to explore off trail. Besides the old sanatorium there’s the Hamiltons gold diggings and the community-restored stonewall cemetery, Patearoa and Pareau/Styx.

Waipiata – Kokonga

• 14.5km separates Waipiata from Kokonga.
• Between Waipiata and Kokonga the trail skirts farmland that was once the 2km wide Taieri Lake and passes by where stone was collected to build the Dunedin Railway station, reputed to be New Zealand’s most photographed building.
• Kokonga Gangers’ Shed --- one of 12 gangers’ sheds along the Rail Trail housing information panels. These sheds are identified with an ‘i’ on the map in the Official Rail Trail Passport.

Waipiata - Ranfurly

• 8.5km separates Waipiata from Ranfurly.
• Ranfurly Straight Gangers’ Shed -- one of 12 gangers’ sheds along the Rail Trail housing information panels. These sheds are identified with an ‘i’ on the map in the Official Rail Trail Passport

Just 7km out of Waipiata, the old sanatorium on the slopes of the Rock and Pillar Range is worth the uphill ride	Waipiata Station in 1962 Photo: C.M.Harman, S.A.Rockcliff, G.W.Emerson

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