Originally known as "Rough Ridge", Oturehua is now a quiet little township serving the farming community of the Ida Valley.
Situated right on the Otago Central rail Trail, Oturehua is a convenient base for exploring the region and its activities.
At Oturehua, you can visit the authentic 1930's style Gilchrist's Store, built in 1899, and still trading today.
You could do a tour of the famous Hayes Engineering Works, est. in 1895 and home to the fence strainer used to this day on NZ farms.
To the North of Oturehua a worthwhile detour up Reef Road, leads to the Golden Progress Mine, an historic gold mining site with the poppet head still standing.
Oturehua is renowned for its hot summers and cold winters, and the Idaburn Dam, just south of the township is host to the bonspiel, an ancient tournament for all curling clubs which can only be held on natural ice. This is a wonderful sight! The dam is also the site for the famous Brass Monkey Rally held each year at Queens Birthday Weekend.
The Golden Progress Mine, Reef Road, Oturehua. Here is Central Otago's last poppet head still standing