Heritage and Culture
The Clutha District is home to one of Otago’s most historic towns, Lawrence, with a number of key sites to discover on your next stay with us.
Spend time soaking up the rich heritage, where Otago’s gold rush began. Take time to explore the Tuapeka Goldfields Museum and Visitor Centre, and learn the story of the first person to discover gold in Gabriel’s Gully.
For a true understanding of the region’s deep history, stop in at the Ōwaka Museum in The Catlins. If multi-million-year-old fossils are your thing, there’s a hidden geological gem at the Milburn Whale and Dolphin Fossils Lookout in Milton.
Clutha District Museums
Ōwaka Museum is a popular palace of memories, similar to walking through a 3D storybook. Tales of Maori settlements, shipwrecks and pioneer settlers is a true reflection of The Catlins' rich history. The museum is also known as “Wahi Kahuika: The Meeting Place – A Rest on Your Journey”.
Contact
Phone: 03 415 8323
Website: www.owakamuseum.org.nz
Email: owakamuseum@outlook.com
Contact
Address: 17 Ross Place, Lawrence 9532
Phone: 03 485 9222
Email: lawrence.museum@xtra.co.nz
Just beyond the Balclutha Bridge this museum has extensive collections on display of domestic and industrial heritage reflecting 150 years of pioneer endeavor on the fertile plains and river deltas of South Otago.
Contact
Address: 1 Renfrew St, Balclutha 9230
Phone: 64 3 418 2382
Email: southotagomuseum@xtra.co.nz
Facebook Page: facebook.com/Southotagomuseum/
Admission is free. Donations welcome.
The museum has a diverse range of items including vintage tractors, a steam engine, and a display of many household goods and collection of historical information from the district from the West Otago area. Open weekends from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Address: 59 Northumberland Street, Tapanui
Phone: 03 204 8306
Email: wovc@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/WestOtagoVintageClub/
This is a community run museum documenting the history of one of New Zealand oldest coal mining towns. Open Sundays 2pm - 4pm or by request. A list of phone numbers is displayed on the door to the museum.
Contact
Address: Torquay Street, Kaitangata
Facebook: facebook.com/KaitangataMuseum
Butcher Shop Museum - historic equipment and photographs from over 50 years of the butchery trade in Milton.
Tuapeka Vintage Club - display of Tuapeka's mechanical heritage, open every Sunday from 1pm to 4pm.
Heritage Sites
Otago's first gold-rush town was Lawrence. During the height of the goldrush the town's population was around 11,500; which was double that of Dunedin at the time. Here are some of the key sites:
Coal was first mined in Kaitangata back in 1869, coal was then taken through to Dunedin by rail. In 1879 there was a significant explosion at the mine in which it killed 34 miners. The last underground coal mine closed in 1970.
Tunnel Hill, The Catlins - The World's southernmost railway tunnel
Milburn Whale and Dolphin Fossils Lookout, Milton - 24–34 million years old fossils found in the nearby lime quarry