St Bathans

While the gold ran out, the minerals in the water remained giving the lake its unique colour

White cliffs surrounding the beautiful Blue Lake at St Bathans were exposed by gold miners excavating gold with high pressure water guns in the late 1860’s.
While the gold ran out, the minerals in the water remained giving the lake its unique colour. The town is still largely in its original state and is a tranquil place well worth a visit.
Across the road from the hotel is a viewing area and an impressive 20 minute long walking track around part of the lake.

Info

Population: 6





Loading Weather
please wait...

Weather

Current Temperature: °C
Speed:
Direction:

View Trail Forecast

Miners Rest Cottage

Miners Rest Cottage is a replica miners cottage built on the original Miners Cottage site It has an awesome view of the Blue Lake which was formed by the hardy gold miners in the 1800. 

The cottage has been decorated in the era of the gold mining days, why not step back in time with some modern tweaks.

Rates:

$180 for 2 per night +20 for each extra person. Stay 3 nights get a forth free.

more info

Vulcan Hotel

Tagged as: Hotel, Historic

Enjoy a drink in the garden or the great view of the historical buildings on the main street of St. Bethans. 

more info

Vulcan Hotel

Enjoy a drink in the garden or the great view of the historical buildings on the main street of St Bathans. It is rumoured that the Vulcan hotel is haunted, but you’re more likely to run into the hospitable owners than the actual ghost. Ph: 03 447 3629.


Take a stroll

Take a stroll down St Bathans Main Street and its like stepping back to the gold rush era of the 1860 with many of the original buildings still standing. To name a few the post office, the bank and St Bathans Hotel. 


Blue Lake ( St Bathans )

You can explore the township and its famous Blue Lake which is famous for its blue colour with white cliff that surrounds the lake which makes for dramatic reflections. There is a twenty minutes board walk where you can view the lake from an elevated position and also view some of the original gold mining machinery lying in the earth as it was left when the gold run out. It’s just a short stroll down to the lake edge if you feel like a swim over the hot summer months. If you are keen for a few good photo opportunities you can walk around the east side and get some dramatic shots of the sand stones cliffs that have been blustered by the gold miner’s water cannons.  Caution some cliffs are unstable so for this reason do not get to close to them.  Zoom lenses make for safe photography.

 


St Patricks Catholic Church

The local church and cemetery is only 5 minutes’ walk from the town centre.


St Bathans Hotel ( Vulcan Hotel )

After exploring the township and lake most visitors end up back at the St Bathans Hotel. Good country hospitality will complete your St Bathans experience.


Falls Dam

Falls Dam is situated on Loop Road 10km east of St Bathans. The power house was constructed in 1935 and generates 1,250 kW of electricity.  When you driving Loop Road look out for the sign Fiddlers Flat Road which lead into the Dam wall. Extreme care on the road. It is very photogenic with the Hawkdun Mountains in the background. Take your rod and camera and enjoy a pleasant day in this peaceful setting.


Cambrians

Cambrians is a small settlement of historical cottages mostly used by holiday makers now over the hot dry summer months. Originally it was settles by Welsh and Scottish miners in the gold rush of the late 1860s. It is situated approximately 4 km off Loop Road between St Bathans and Becks.


Cambrian St Bathans Tours

They take tours around the historic Cambrian Village and St Bathans.

Phone: 027 221 1736. Email: helen.ken@xtra.co.nz


The Rail Trail Guide Book

The single most important resource when travelling the Central Otago Rail Trail

A beautifully crafted book with amazing photography by Peter Andrews showing Central Otago as it truly is, one of the most rugged, extreme and beautiful locations on the planet. Stunning scenery, amazing and important historical and current information, detailed maps, lists of accommodation, frequently asked questions, where to eat, how far between towns, etc. It’s all in here.

More Info