• Walks 
• Natural Features 
• Museum 
• Tours 
• Sports 
• Shops and Services 

Walk, horse ride or cycle all or parts of the old Otago Central rail corridor turned into a public recreational track administered by Department of Conservation. It runs from Middlemarch to Clyde and is clearly sign posted. Brochure available from Tourist Information Centre, Railhead Store, Middlemarch.

Also check out the Otago Central Rail Trail: Middlemarch - Daisybank page or visit the official Otago Central Rail Trail site

Sutton Salt Lake

Department of Conservation walk trail to New Zealand's only inland salt lake is located on Kidd's Road (turn off from S.H. 87 near the Sutton railway crossing), the south end of the Strath Taieri Valley. Now included in a large scenic reserve (administered by Department of Conservation ) there is a pleasant, marked walkway, with some information at the lake. The lake evaporates in dry periods, and is 30 cm deep at its highest.
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Smooth Cone with its single pine tree planted on Armistice Day 1921.

This is private land but access may be available by ringing Ian Simpson on

Nearby, at Foulden Hill, a short distance further up the Macraes' road, a shallow basin is visible indicating the location of a crater lake, the result of a volcanic eruption some 20 million years ago.

Sometimes, mistakenly, called 'One Tree Hill.'

Rock and Pillar Range

Reaching 1450m above sea level and with a severe and changeable climate, the Rock and Pillar Range, named for its magnificent tors along the ridge, is available for the experienced tramper and ski tourer. The Department of Conservation is currently planning and setting up formal public access ways to enable greater, safe recreational use of the mountain.

The Tors

These schist rock outcrops, which rise out of the tussock to the south and west of the valley, have recently been encompassed in an outstanding landscape zone in the Dunedin District Plan. The rock is exposed when lighter surrounding material is eroded, leaving the remaining irregularly shaped and imposing rock structures.

Taieri River

The Taieri River is a river of huge importance to the area. It's catchment is almost 20% of Otago and it is New Zealand's third longest river at 318 km. It has a variety of fish life, most notable the introduced brown trout and salmon. Many of the tributaries are important breeding or spawning grounds. There are some tributaries that still have the koura, or freshwater lobster, although they are less common than they have been in the past. There are several good fishing sites, while in the lower stretches there are also opportunities for other recreational pursuits. In the Strath Taieri Valley it is spanned by three bridges: the Swing Bridge near Sutton, the modern bridge north of the township, and the historic stone bridge near the Hyde township. 
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For further detailed information see also "Wild Dunedin" by Neville Peat and Brian Patrick, University of Otago Press, 1995 available at Railhead Store, Middlemarch.

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Visit the Strath Taieri Historical Museum, operated by the Strath Taieri Historical Society.

Open Sundays 5pm to 6pm during summer or by appointment. Phone Flossy & Dids Williams or Dawn Ramsey .

Items of particular interest:

• The submarine 'Platypus.' Built in Dunedin in 1873 for the purpose of dredging gold. Equipped with pumps and suction gear, a crew of four men and a captain would work the submarine. When resting on the bottom of a river or stream though to contain gold, prospecting would take place out of a latch situated where the submarine touched the bottom. It was first tested in the Otago Harbour in January 1974, but financial problems led to the company going into receivership. The liquidator sold the boat in April 1874 for 400 Pounds. The submarine ended up in four pieces on the Pukerangi station, 'The Reefs,' owned by Mr W Stewart. In 1991 Mr Stewart gave three of the pieces to the Museum, the connecting tower portion having gone missing. The Strath Lions Club kindly transported the submarine to the Museum, where it is on display.
• A working black smith shop complete with bellows, which will be working by March 2002.
• A reconstruction of a pioneer's cottage.
• Numerous old horse drawn implements, including a dray and gig.

• Significant and Notable Trees of the Strath Taieri
  
  • The pine on Smooth Cone (mistakenly called 'Conical Hill' in some sources) was planted in 1918 to mark Armistice Day. It is visible from many locations on the Plain and has stood up to the gale-force winds, which are occasionally experienced in the area.
    
  • A small stand of Lombardy poplarsnear the remains of a stone cottage, built in the late 19th century. Located below Smooth Cone.
    
  • Pre-1880s oak tree registeredby the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture as Notable. See Notable Trees of the Strath Taieri and Heritage Drive.

See also:
(Otago Daily Times)
(Otago Daily Times)
(Otago Daily Times)

• Potted Historic Bus Tour Available Sundays from the Railway Station during visits by Taieri Gorge Train or by prior arrangement. Phone Liz on .
   
• Like to put yourself in the picture but don't want the hassle of getting yourself and your bike to and from the trail? We'll carry you and your bike by minibus to wherever you want to start riding, then pick you up again when you've cycled enough. Bikes and helmets for hire. One day, overnight, or for several days, you choose. Bookings for Taieri Gorge Excursion Train and accomodation. Lunch and morning and afternoon snacks supplied. Contact: Bill or Lenni on or 0, fax or email
   
• Heritage Drives Self-drive tours - print out the map or pick up a copy at the Railhead Store, Middlemarch.
   
• Tour Packages - There are many options for creating packages for tour groups, which can include homestead lunches, garden tours, golf, or other sports activities, visit to the Macraes Gold Mine etc. Jamie Koppert has created a tourism resource guide and is available in assisting with organisation of any tours in the area. (Ph )
   
• Over the hill to Macraes Gold Mine. 2 hour tour of the largest gold recovery operation in New Zealand. Leaves 1.30 pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. Contact Stanley's Hotel, Ph/Fax for bookings.
   
• Travel to and see the Magnificent Taieri Gorge. Departures most Sundays in summer from Middlemarch as well as every other day from Pukerangi (a short drive from Middlemarch. Bus connection available - contact Newton's Coachways, Ph , Fax ).
   
• Mural Walk Take a walk down Snow Avenue (street along station) and view the murals by Joe Paton depicting some of the history and wildlife of the Strath Taieri. On Swansea St (SH1) a large map of the Starth Taieri Valley with paintings of historical sites and natural phenomena by artist, Rebecca South.
  
  
• Mt Ida Adventure Tours provides:
  
  
  1. Small group tours of up to ten people to visit the beautiful gardens of the Strath Taieri Area.
  2. Transport from Dunedin to the start of the Rail Trail at Middlemarch including a pick-up and drop off service between Middlemarch and Lauder.
  3. Customised day and overnight tours to the Strath Taieri to meet group requirements.
  4. Connections to the Taieri Gorge Railway at Middlemarch and Pukerangi if required.

Contact Details:
Noel Matthews
Mt Ida Adventure Tours
Telephone
Mobile
Email

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• SwimmingGolf 9 hole golf course. Men's competition Saturdays, women's competition Tuesdays. Green fees $5. Casual players welcome. Facilities incl. clubhouse, bar and catering available for hire by prior arrangement. Phone .
   
• Outdoor Bowls Facilities incl. clubhouse, bar and catering available for hire by prior arrangement. Phone .
   
• Tennis/Netball Courts At the Middlemarch show grounds.
   
• Fishing Taieri River and Loganburn Dam. Fishing licence available at Railhead Store.
   
• Moutain Bikes - see Otago Central Rail Trail
   
• Horse riding - see Otago Central Rail Trail
   
• Walks - Otago Central Rail Trail, Sutton Salt Lake and various, as yet unmarked, walks on the Rock & Pillars (see descriptions above). 

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• Junction Crafts In the Railway Station building. Open Fridays and Sundays 12 noon to 1 pm from October to March when the Taieri Gorge Excursion train is in Middlemarch. Also by arrangement. Contact Irene Ramsay or Beryl Marshall ..
   
• Middlemarch Motors - Caltex AA Garage. Open 7 days. 24 hr emergency breakdown service. also available magazines, cold drinks etc. EFTPOS. Phone , Fax
   
• Middlemarch Postal Agency - Open 9 - 12am and 2 - 3 pm weekdays. Range of affordable gift items. Video hire. Also Dunedin City Council Service Centre. Ph for very helpful service.
   
• Railhead Store - a Four Square general store with a large range of products incl wine, gift items and Strathdale Honey. Light refreshments and takeaways. Tourist Information Centre. Also issues fishing license. EFTPOS. Open 7 days. Ph/Fax .
   
• Reid Farmers - Open weekdays 9 - 12 am and 1 - 5 pm. Large range of farm related products. Will order any in if needed. Also base for their agent. Phone , Fax
   
• Strath Taieri Hotel - Usual pub hours. 
  • Two bars 
  • Bistro and Dining Room - Group bookings available. Open for lunch Friday 12 - 2 pm; Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings for dinner 5 - 9 p.m. 
  • Pool, Sky Big Screen TV. 
  • Accommodation - $45 per night DBB (Dinner, Bed, Breakfast). Family charges on request. 
  • Snow Avenue (opposite railway station). Ph/Fax
    
    
• Transport companies - 
  • Cook's Transport, Ph or  
  • Kieran's Transport, Ph  
  • Middlemarch Transport, Ph  

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