Historic Sites

The region prospered on the basis of Central Otago gold in the 19th century, and today there still remain many fine old buildings that are a legacy of those times.

Easily Accessible From The Trail

632.Tim Hawkins

Ophir Bridge

Constructed between 1879 and 1880, this attractive structure is a characteristic example of Central Otago suspension bridges with schist masonry towers.

386.James Jubb

Hayes Engineering

Hayes Engineering Works & Homestead is the former home and engineering works of the gifted inventor Earnest Hayes and his family.

504.Tim Hawkins copy

Golden Progress Mine

The Golden Progress mine was worked by three lignite-fired boilers, two for the Poppet Head to drive the winding gear and one to drive the battery further down the g…

119. James Jubb copy

Ophir Post Office

Ophir's wealth can be measured in heritage buildings – especially the Ophir Post and Telegraph Office, which is the longest running Post Office in the country.

336.James Jubb copy

Gilchrists Store

The oldest continuously trading store in New Zealand – you can buy goods here, but it is also like a “living museum”.

Manorburn Dam v3

Lower Manorburn Dam

The Lower Manorburn dam is one of the most commonly frozen pieces of ice in New Zealand.

If You Have A Little More Time

Buster Diggings1 A.Ware

Buster Diggings

Located within Oteake Conservation Park, Buster Diggings is a spectacular sculptural landform created by alluvial gold mining and was once New Zealand’s highest alti…

Mitchells Cottage

Mitchells Cottage

A tangible link with goldmining - Mitchells Cottage is one of the best surviving examples of the stonemason's craft in New Zealand.

428.James Jubb copy

Hamiltons

Hamiltons was named after the pastoral station owner, who controlled the land at the time of the gold discovery in 1863.