Story by Jo Bailey We take a step back to the nineteenth century with the story of the Seven Irishmen of Tinkers, whose tenacity in the face of extreme odds saw them develop the Undaunted Mine in Central Otago. Their incredible story, and that of their...
Rabbits were introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century for food and sport. But they soon became a pest, reaching plague proportions in some areas. Rabbits have cost the country millions of dollars – through attempts to control them and lost production on farmland.A...
Central is an environment of climatic extremes. In winter the record is -21 degrees Celsius (in 1995), though most winters now are somewhat milder (around -10). In summer it can get into the high 30s. You don't have to crazy to live here. But it...
When Ophir’s current Postal Manager, Val Butcher, was appointed in 2002, she continued an unbroken tradition that goes back to 1 October 1863 and Ophir’s first Postmaster, James Swanson, who also operated a general store where the Post Office was located. Ophir Post Office is now...
The Ophir Peace Hall has undergone some major upgrades recently, and is ready to rock. Or, indeed alt country. Or jazz. Music has always been a part of the hall's history, with dances regularly held 'in the old days' due in part to the great...
Tiger Hill is, at 435m elevation, one of the highest points on the Otago Rail Trail, and certainly the steepest climb. Back when trains were the only traffic on the trail, Tiger Hill was a favourite spot for train spotters to capture the trains as...
OK, there's no denying it, and we we might as well embrace it. It gets cold here. There, we said it. We once had the record for the lowest recored temperature of -21.6, on 3 July 1995. Now Ranfurly reckon they found a record in...
Tucked away in a small lean-to in Omakau is the workshop of Ophir resident Peter Lorimer, knife maker (and gate maker).A rustic wooden sandwich board on the pavement on your way out of Omakau is the only indication that Peter Lorimer's workshop is nearby.If the...
One of the benefits of life in a dry climate is that it is very kind to old metal objects, which might help explain the high ratio of classic cars to residents in Ophir.Another might be the legacy left by Bob Turnbull, an ex engineer...
Surrounded by hills and old gold mining tacks, Ophir is ideally suited as a base of exploration of the many middle valleys and passes in the region.Thomsons Gorge (best in a 4x4)The Thomson Gorge Road crosses over a low saddle in the Dunstan Mountain range...