Gold 150 Celebrations
Gold 150 Celebrations
Restoring historic huts in Otago
Celebrating 150 years of gold in Otago
Join in the celebrations of Gold 150. Gold 150 is the 150th anniversary of the discovery of gold in the Central Otago. It is your community's opportunity to celebrate and mark Otago's gold rush days.
150 years ago, miners smelt gold in Otago! Miners flocked to Otago in a gold rush frenzy, transforming Central Otago, creating many small towns scattered near gold mining hot spots.
Gold was first found in Otago in Gabriels Gully, Lawrence 1861. The goldminers then travelled to rich finds in the Dunstan (Cromwell Gorge) in 1862 and worked their way up into the Arrow and Shotover rivers.
Get funding
If you have any ideas on how you, or your local community may like to be involved in celebrating 150 years of Gold in Otago, please contact: Gold 150 coordinator Julie Hughes 027 633 1252 / +64 3 442 0809.
The Central Lakes Trust has $200,000 available for special projects or planned events to mark the celebration. Applications will be considered until 31 October 2011.
How is DOC involved?
DOC manages and administers many of the historical sites and relics in Otago, such as Bendigo Scenic Reserve, Bannockburn Sluicings and Nevis Valley. DOC is planning to be involved in several projects in Otago to mark this event.