Roxburgh key attractions and no 11 is hilarious
Roxburg & Teviot Valley, People used to come here for the gold. Now they come for all the colours. The Teviot Valley with its sheltered warmer climate is framed by tussock high country gold in summer and snow white in winter is home to three small settlements, Roxburgh, Ettrick and Millers Flat.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT ROXBURGH, CENTRAL OTAGO?
Summer with stone fruits, berries, apples & pears in plentiful supply from roadside stalls. Warm dry sunny weather from 12c at night to 30c during the day. December to early April.
Winter is very brisk, cool with snow a regular occurrence. Ski bunnies rejoice with Cardrona approximately 1 hour driving time (snow chains might be necessary).
Summer fruit bonanzas. Stone fruits, strawberries, apples, raspberries and pears are all grown here. For students fruit picking is a time honoured tradition, for visitors and holiday makers the road side stalls stacked with Roxburgh red apricots, apples, pears and berries is a luscious natural treat. Remember to carry cash for roadside stalls and the system runs on honesty self-serve boxes.
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CLUTHA RIVER
Explore the Clutha on the slow lane with a cruise past historic gold mining area, Doctor’s Point, Chinese gold miner rock shelters, scarred landscapes stripped by massive 19th century water canons. Wonder at the high country landscape with native tussock offering little shelter from harsh winter conditions.
Explore Roxburgh on foot with the impressive Roxburgh Dam and Spillway Lookout on the Commissioner’s Track providing sweeping views of the countryside. Walk the historic Roxburgh town trail and pop into the Teviot District Museum (former Methodist Church, 1872). The town’s 5 km loop walk embraces the historic buildings and the river reserve track.
Look out for quirky metal sculptures, even in the public toilets.
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FISHING, WATER SPORTS, SWIMMING IN FRESHWATER PONDS
Pinders Pond, Lake Roxburgh and MacKenzies Beach are popular places to go swimming, picnicking or kayaking. The Clutha River has a salmon run in February and the Teviot River a local hotspot for trout fishing.
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HORSE TREKKING
An annual cavalcade of horses, wagons (plus a few mountain bikes) following the footsteps of pioneers, pre-European Maori trails in the beautiful Central Otago landscape is one of those moments camaraderie is a defining feature of the multiple day event.
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OPHIR
What’s so great about Ophir, Ophir, Maniototo district Central Otago is a detour where the 19th century is captured in the streetscape of a town that once had over a thousand inhabitants. Now tourism is the mainstay of the area. The picturesque town, nestled in the tussock country of Central Otago is a glorious snapshot of why we travel. The slow lane exploring culture, heritage and history of an area is a very good reason to stop and savour the colour of spring hollyhocks in Ophir.
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BACKCOUNTRY SAFARI
Explore backcountry, off-road in a guided 4WD tour exploring Knobby Range, Old Man Range and beyond. A photographer’s joy of spectacular scenery and vast open skies. Visit remote historic gold mining sites, undulating hill country and backcountry roads fording clear streams. Rock and Tussock Safaris & Tours is where friendships are made while sipping billy tea.
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GREAT RIDES, CYCLE CLUTHA GOLD TRAIL OR ROXBURGH GORGE TRAIL
Visually stunning day rides with scenic bursts of wonder from Alexandra to Lake Roxburgh Hydro Dam following Clutha Mata-au River past eroded bluffs and old gold workings set amidst willows, native shrubs and fragrant thyme.
Late spring is the best time to savour the purple hills smothered in wild thyme contrasting with the grey schist rock outcrops.
Autumn is a blaze of fading summer with brilliant foliage oranges as the willows drop their summer leaves.
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JIMMY’S PIES
Don’t leave without trying Jimmy’s Pies. Over fifty years to perfect the iconic New Zealand takeaway from the classic beef mince and cheese to sweet seasonal fruit concoctions. Delicious picnic fare as an energy pick up for your local walk.
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ROXBURGH GOLD PANNING
Visitors are invited to try their luck using traditional 19th century hand methods of panning coarse and fine gold. Gold laden gravel is sourced from the Ladysmith Gold Dredging Companies (1900-1914) claim area at Roxburgh sharpen your gold prospecting credentials.
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4 BARRELS WALKING TRAIL (or perhaps 2 Barrels)
Walk, cycle or stroll between wineries. You are passing vineyards, orchards and the beautiful Lake Dunstan. Holiday inspiration nearby, cycle the Cromwell’s wine trail, 11 popular wineries to visit – Best Bits.
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HILLSIDE GOLF ANYONE
Bounce your golf ball off the odd rock or simply watch as the ball quietly rolls downwards. The beautifully maintained, hidden gem 18 hole Roxburgh Golf Club is worth a visit even if you don’t play golf.
Where is the Teviot Valley, Central Otago?
Roxburgh, (previously known as Teviot) has 550 people located in Teviot Valley on the Clutha River, 40 km south of Alexandra, on State Highway 8.
Got kids who want to take a selfie or wonder about who named the place (Roxburgh) check out What’s so great about Roxburgh – Best Bits. For more information what to do nearby check out Central Otago, attractions, things to do.
BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE
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