Oturehua is a small township, but has several claims to fame.
If you like history, the area was founded in the goldrush days. The workings of the Golden Progress Mine are notable, as they still retain an old intact poppet head, the only surviving one in the Otago goldfields.
Then there is the historic Hayes Engineering works and mud-brick Homestead. Visit the fascinating belt-driven workshop complete with all machinery still intact, and can be viewed operating on “live demo” days. Learn the story of the ingenious Ernest Hayes and his amazing wife Hannah.
Check out NZ’s oldest continuously operating General Store (Gilchrists), complete with vintage paraphernalia.
Have a pint in the old Oturehua Tavern, yet another historic building.
crows nest accommodation 