– The old mining town of Macraes can be found off SH 85 (The Pigroot) on the road from Dunback to Hyde and is now, once again, a centre of goldmining. The huge open-cast gold mine of the Macraes Mining Company began operating in 1990, the only hard-rock mining operation in the South Island. For a tour of the Macraes Gold Project you will need to call 0800 465 386 as bookings are essential. Stanley’s Hotel, rebuilt in 1882, was and still is the focal point of the district, a popular landmark with its motto “While I live I’ll crow”. The proud motto refers back to the rivalry between Stanley and Griffin - the publican of the United Kingdom Hotel.

The other main attraction is the old Golden Point mine in Deepdell Creek, 5km from Macraes. The mine was opened in 1889 and finally closed in 1930. The small battery, still in working order and within its original building, was originally used to extract gold from reef-quartz, and more recently for scheelite (the ore of tungsten).

The town lies on the junction of SH 1 (Christchurch to Dunedin) and SH 85 (The Pigroot) which was an early route to Central Otago.

The journey inland was anything but easy for the early goldminers. At Dead Horse Pinch, near the Pigroot summit (45km from Palmerston), is a roadside plaque which commemorates the hardships faced by the travellers - miners, wagoners and coaches in those early days.

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