56-691: Tarras is a small farming settlement in Central Otago , in the South Island of New Zealand. Tarras is located on the slopes above the upper reaches of the Clutha Valley , on State Highway 8 . It is the first village reached by travellers heading south through the Lindis Pass , and is close to the junction where travellers from Aoraki / Mount Cook turn west towards Lake Hāwea , Wānaka , and Haast Pass / Tioripatea . Most farms in
112-569: A lack of food, equipment and wood. Many of the early miners were Chinese of Cantonese origin, with some suggesting Chinese made up as much as 50% of the mining population. During the goldrush days, a gold dredge named the Lady Molyneux captured 1234 ounces of gold in just one week. Goldmining the Clutha was a dangerous occupation. In 1863, there were 37 men who drowned in the Clutha river or its tributaries. Of these, 12 could not be named. In
168-515: A month and sunshine 227 hours per month. Autumn is brilliant as the extensive orchards and poplar shelterbelts turn red, yellow and gold. Temperatures range from −3 to 24 °C (26.6 to 75.2 °F). Rainfall averages 30 millimetres (1.2 in) a month with 11 frosts monthly and 150 hours of sunshine. Winter brings a temperature range of −6 to 15 °C (21.2 to 59.0 °F), and average monthly rainfall of 15 millimetres (0.6 in), 25 days with frosts and 107 hours of sunshine per month during
224-548: A primary school. St Gerard's School is a co-educational state-integrated Catholic primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of 153. The school first opened in 1912. Dunstan High School is a co-educational state secondary school for Year 9 to 13 students, with a roll of 589 as of August 2024. It opened in 1962. Alexandra is perhaps best known for the Alexandra Blossom Festival , an annual event that began in 1957. The Festival celebrates
280-601: A problem at the golf course in 2019 and the golf club was in the process of exploring fencing options to keep the rabbits out. Molyneux Park is located on state highway 8. It is home to the swimming pool complex, netball courts, a first class cricket venue, the ice skating rink, the Alexandra bowls club and the Alexandra toy library. The Alexandra Museum and Art Gallery is known as Central Stories. The museum focusses on local history, in particular, geology; early explorers; social history; gold mining; Chinese immigration during
336-411: A programme of regular events. Pioneer Park was established in the late 1860s. There is a playground and botanic gardens located within it. There are also three artificial grass tennis courts located within the park. Located in the hills just outside of Alexandra, this large irrigation dam was built in the 1900s. It is a well known body of water for fishing, canoeing and swimming. In winter ice skating
392-457: A result of this event, the Alexandra suspension bridge was constructed between 1879 and 1882 after the bridge at Clyde failed in the 1878 flood. The Otago Central Railway line from Dunedin into Central Otago reached Alexandra in December 1906. Originally referred to as "Alexandra South" to distinguish it from a North Island town with the same name, the word "South" was dropped in 1867 after
448-558: A total of four nights. The Shaky bridge crosses the Manuherikia river and links Kerry Street and Graveyard Gully Road. It was completed in 1879. Leslie Duncan MacGeorge (1854–1939) designed the 60 metre long bridge. It was the only bridge crossing the Manuherikia river for twenty years. In 1906 a road and rail bridge was completed making the shaky bridge obsolete. It did not receive the required upkeep and earned its nickname of
504-407: A variety of local wines. Alexandra is the service centre for a significant stone-fruit industry, which is celebrated by a blossom festival in the town each spring. The first orchards planted provided fruit for the mining community. Now, nectarines, apricots, cherries, peaches, plums and apples are grown and sold for both New Zealand and export markets. Seasonal work picking fruit is available during
560-585: Is described by Statistics New Zealand as a small urban area, and covers 9.76 km (3.77 sq mi). It had an estimated population of 6,150 as of June 2024, with a population density of 630 people per km . It is the seventh-largest urban area in Otago, and the second-largest urban area in the Central Otago District behind Cromwell. Alexandra had a population of 5,472 at the 2018 New Zealand census , an increase of 669 people (13.9%) since
616-549: Is one of the driest areas in New Zealand, with annual rainfall of between 300 and 500 millimetres (12 and 20 in). The valley around Tarras is the sunniest in Otago, with over 2,100 sunshine hours per year. The valley is hot in summer, with a median average daily temperature over 22 °C (295 K), and cold in winter: the median average daily minimum is then below −2 °C (28 °F). The Anglican and Presbyterian Tarras Church includes kneelers created to celebrate
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#1732787306074672-458: Is one of the driest places in the country, often recording fewer than 400 mm (16 in) of rain each year, the majority of which falls in the summer half of the year. The town hold the New Zealand record for the lowest rainfall in one calendar year, recording just 212 mm (8.3 in) in 1964. Alexandra's population was 1414 residents in 1951 and this had increased to 1823 residents in 1956 and then to 2292 residents in 1961. Alexandra
728-460: Is one of the least windy towns in New Zealand. This, combined with its geography, being an inland basin, means that the smoke generated from domestic heating appliances stays sitting within the town environs. Daily PM10 concentrations regularly exceed the national guidelines from the month of May through to the month of August each year. Between 2005 and 2017 winter concentrations of PM10s have decreased about 30%. Despite this, Alexandra has "some of
784-570: Is popular when the dam freezes over. A portion of the Otago Central Rail Trail runs through Alexandra. The "Mountain bikers of Alexandra" club are active in building trails in the local area. There are a number of mountain bike trails at Alexandra Airport, Boot Hill, Clyde Lookout and Flat Top Hill. The award-winning trails at Flat Top Hill have been built in partnership with the Department of Conservation. A large clock
840-547: Is run by the Alexandra Lions Club and it is also a great social occasion for the town. It has been run annually since the early 1990s. The event was cancelled in 2018 to allow the Otago Regional Council's programme to introduce the rabbit virus RHDV1 K5.Unfortunately the virus did not have the desired impact on rabbit numbers that was expected and there are more rabbits around than ever. Due to
896-460: Is the nearest facility for those. The Terrace School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of 291 as of August 2024. It opened in 1965. Alexandra School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of 226. It opened in 1865, and became a district high school in 1912. After the opening of Dunstan High and The Terrace School, Alexandra School resumed its function solely as
952-542: The 2013 census , and an increase of 645 people (13.4%) since the 2006 census . There were 2,331 households, comprising 2,661 males and 2,811 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female, with 909 people (16.6%) aged under 15 years, 729 (13.3%) aged 15 to 29, 2,247 (41.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 1,590 (29.1%) aged 65 or older. Ethnicities were 93.1% European/ Pākehā , 9.8% Māori , 1.5% Pasifika , 2.5% Asian , and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity. The percentage of people born overseas
1008-753: The Maniototo which lies between the upper reaches of the Taieri River and the Clutha's northern tributary the Manuherikia is also part of Central Otago. Characterised by cold winters and hot, dry summers, the area is only lightly populated. First significant European occupation came with the discovery of gold at Gabriel's Gully near Lawrence in 1861, which led to the Otago gold rush . Other towns and villages include Alexandra , Bannockburn , Clyde , Cromwell , Millers Flat , Naseby , Omakau , Ranfurly , Roxburgh , St. Bathans , and Wedderburn . Since
1064-480: The "shaky bridge". The small suspension bridge with its stone towers was saved by the Pioneer Bridge Committee. The Committee raised funds to restore the bridge. Today it is promoted as a tourist attraction and is only open to pedestrians. Simmond's boarding house was built in 1882 and provided accommodation for over ninety years until it was converted into an office building in the 1970s. It
1120-452: The 1870s, Chinese miners moved in to re-work claims that others had sold on. By 1889, most of the easy to access gold had been mined and leases were sold for virtually nothing. At this stage, stone fruit orchards gradually took over the local economy. When the river had run out of gold, the river banks were dredged. This was termed ‘paddock dredging’. This continued day and night between 1896 and 1924 and again between 1951 and 1963. The noise
1176-403: The 19th century, most of the area's economic activity has centred on sheep, stone fruit , and tourism. In recent years, deer farms and vineyards have increased the region's economic diversification. Central Otago is the world's southernmost commercial wine production region. Recently the cool climate varieties Riesling and Pinot noir have been recognised as being especially suitable, and as
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#17327873060741232-567: The Californian gold rush. They initially worked in secret to obtain as much gold as they could along the Cromwell gorge. In order to obtain the government's reward on offer for gold discoveries, they made the site public. This made the Clutha river and its tributaries famous for their gold. In a short time, 2000 miners had descended on Alexandra. Conditions were uninviting initially with
1288-1000: The Clutha River, the current one opening in 1958. Alexandra experiences an oceanic climate bordering on a semi-arid climate ( Köppen climate classification Cfb/BSk ). Alexandra is one of the farthest towns from a coastline and experiences warm summers and cold winters compared to the rest of New Zealand, with summer temperatures that can reach the mid 30's °C (mid 90's °F) and winter lows that drop around −8.0 °C (18 °F) most years. Every year an average of 66 days will exceed 25.0 °C (77 °F) and 92 nights will drop below 0.0 °C (32 °F). The hottest and coldest temperatures recorded in Alexandra (between 1971 and 2019) are 38.7 °C (102 °F) (recorded on 5 February 2005 and 30 January 2018) and −11.2 °C (12 °F) respectively. During times of high pressure, temperature inversions can form, keeping temperatures in Alexandra below freezing all day. Alexandra
1344-588: The East Otago coast. The town of Alexandra is home to 6,150 people as of June 2024. The town was founded during the Otago gold rush in the 1860s, and was named after Alexandra of Denmark by John Aitken Connell who surveyed the town. In a two-month period in 1862, two gold miners called Horatio Hartley and Christopher Reilly collected 34 kilograms of gold from the Cromwell Gorge, Hartley and Reilly travelled together to New Zealand after meeting in
1400-553: The King of Prussia's Potsdam Stud, which cost the massive sum at that time of £2000. The Galloway Station was sub-divided in 1916. The Alexandra Aerodrome is Alexandra's only airport. SPANZ , NAC and Mount Cook Airlines were main users of the airport till the 1980s. It is home to the Central Otago Flying Club, and gliding. Commercial passenger flights are no longer scheduled; Queenstown International Airport
1456-549: The North Island town was renamed to Pirongia . It was known to miners of the day by several names: the "Lower Township", the "Junction Township", and "Manuherikia". (The "Upper Township" was Dunstan, now Clyde .) Many orchards were destroyed in the 1980s as a result of construction, 10 km upriver, of the Clyde High Dam , which is the country's third largest hydroelectric power station . The railway line
1512-496: The Tarras district run sheep , principally merino farmed for their super-fine wool. Some also raise other sheep breeds and deer . Many farms have converted to beef cattle since the 2010 introduction of large-scale irrigation. Shrek , a hermit Merino sheep, was caught in the hills of Tarras on 15 April 2004, after hiding away in caves for six years. He was shorn live on national television, to produce fleece for men's coats. Shrek
1568-510: The advent of Spring in the Central Otago District as evidenced by the blooming of the fruit trees. Sixty rabbits were introduced by the Acclimatisation Society of Otago in 1866 and it only took five years for them to get established and to start eating the pasture land bare. They are prolific and a pest species around Alexandra. Each year at Easter, locals compete to shoot as many rabbits as possible to cull numbers. The event
1624-475: The centennial of New Zealand women's suffrage . Tarras Rural Women publish the community newsletter, Tarras Talk . The Tarras Tearooms is a historic waystation for travellers through the Lindis Pass. Tarras School is a co-educational state primary school for Year 1 to 8 students, with a roll of 19 as of August 2024. The school has published a children's books about Shrek the sheep to raise funds for
1680-536: The clock to stop working. It appeared that "someone swung on the hands’’ of the clock causing the clock to stop at 8:34. Alexandra suffers from air pollution, typically in winter. The main cause of air pollution in Alexandra is from domestic heating appliances that burn solid fuels (e.g. wood and coal). Air pollution peaks during winter mornings and evenings. The results from a study show that sub-freezing temperatures and still wind conditions at 8 am or 9 am can be used to predict high levels of PM10 that evening. Alexandra
1736-496: The confluence of the Manuherikia River ), on State Highway 8 , 188 kilometres (117 mi) by road from Dunedin and 33 kilometres (21 mi) south of Cromwell . The nearest towns to Alexandra via state highway 8 are Clyde seven kilometres to the northwest and Roxburgh forty kilometres to the south. State highway 85 also connects Alexandra to Omakau , Lauder , Oturehua , Ranfurly and on to Palmerston on
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1792-432: The days cloudless and windless and the nights freezing. Alexandra, for example, has the lowest average annual rainfall (340 millimetres or 13.4 inches) recorded anywhere in New Zealand, is the least windy and has 148 frosts annually (only Lake Tekapo, with 149, has more). Ophir, 27 kilometres or 17 miles away, holds the record for the lowest air temperature recorded – −21.6 °C or −6.9 °F in mid-1995 – but it also held
1848-496: The dry conditions in 2019, the fire risk was deemed to be extreme and the event was cancelled.In 2020 it was again cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The bunny hunt took place in 2021 with over 10,000 rabbits shot. It was thought not to have a significant impact on the overall rabbit population around Alexandra. The Alexandra swimming pool complex is run by the Central Otago District Council . It
1904-438: The gold mining years; stone fruit orchards, farming and viticulture. It is located at 21 Centennial Avenue and is open Monday to Friday between 10am to 4pm and 11am to 2pm on weekends and public holidays. The Alexandra Public Library is located at 42 Tarbet Street. It is open Monday to Friday and on Saturday mornings. It has a wide selection of adult and children's books, magazines, local newspapers and DVDs. It has free Wifi and
1960-639: The highest reading (35.2 °C or 95.4 °F in 1959) until 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) was recorded at Rangiora, in Canterbury in 1973. Spring warms the soil and fruit tree blossom dominates the district's orchard areas. Temperatures range from −3 to 20 °C (26.6 to 68.0 °F) with 10 frosts a month. Average rainfall is 28 millimetres (1.1 in) a month and sunshine 206 hours per month. In summer, daylight lasts as long as 10 P.M.. Temperatures range from 10 to 30 °C (50 to 86 °F) on several days. Rainfall averages 38 millimetres (1.5 in)
2016-443: The project. The clock has a diameter of 11 metres. The minute hand is 5.6m in length including the counterweight and the hour hand is 4m in length including the counterweight. It is lit up at night by 150 light bulbs (upgraded to LEDs in 2006 from the original torch bulbs). The LED lights have subsequently been upgraded to colour LEDs in 2018. At Easter an illuminated cross is placed on the hillside nearby. In April 2020, damage caused
2072-412: The school and its students. The book was written by school children and edited by teachers and parents. In July 2022, an investigative journalist revealed that Christchurch Airport had been secretly buying up farmland between highways SH 8 and SH 8a next to Tarras, with the intention of creating a new international airport. After the airport company was forced to announce their plans, there
2128-420: The short days. The colloquial name for Central Otago is simply "Central". Residents from the surrounding regions may not talk about being in Central Otago or going to Central Otago – instead referring to being or going "up Central" (this usage is mainly limited to residents of Canterbury , Otago and Southland ). The former Otago Central Railway , which ran through most of the major towns of Central Otago,
2184-438: The summer and many tourists and Pacific Islanders come to New Zealand to work in Alexandra. Sheep farming, particularly of merino sheep has occurred around Alexandra for many years. One of the original sheep runs was Galloway Station. This was established by Watson and Alexander Shennan in 1858.The brothers, from Scotland imported various breeds of sheep. In particular they acquired 15 merino rams and 27 merino ewes in 1861 from
2240-418: The vicinity of Alexandra. These include Three Miners Vineyard, Grasshopper Rock, Como Villa Estate, Rock'n'Pillar, Thyme Hill Vineyard, Leaning Rock Vineyard, Judge Rock, Immigrants Vineyard, Dunstan Road Wines, Alexandra Wine Company, Drumsara Wines, McArthur Ridge Vineyard and Perseverance Estate. A cycling trail called Pedal for Pinot gives visitors the opportunity to cycle around the cellar doors and sample
2296-575: The vines age Central Otago wines can be expected to improve even further, as the plantings are new and increasing rapidly. The Central Otago District Council, based in Alexandra, administers territorial authority matters, while the Otago Regional Council has overview of environmental matters such as clean air and water resources. Central Otago is the coldest, driest part of New Zealand. The seasons are sharply defined: summers are hot and low in humidity; winter mornings are often misty,
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2352-432: The worst winter air quality in the country". Pupils at Alexandra primary school were helping scientists at NIWA learn more about pollution in their town in a four-month project that will track where smoke comes from and where it goes over winter in 2018. Alexandra had three high pollution nights, where PM10 particulate levels exceeded the national environmental standards, in winter 2021. This increased in winter 2022 to
2408-483: Was euthanised on 6 June 2011 on a veterinarian's advice, at the age of 16. Vineyards have been established in the area since 2000. The vineyards grow mainly pinot noir and riesling grapes, with some plantings of pinot gris . The Tarras vineyards include Maori Point Vineyard and Swallows Crossing Vineyard. They are formally classified as being in the Bendigo sub-region of the Central Otago wine region . Tarras
2464-563: Was 12.3, compared with 27.1% nationally. Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.8% had no religion, 38.4% were Christian , 0.5% had Māori religious beliefs , 0.4% were Hindu , 0.2% were Muslim , 0.2% were Buddhist and 1.2% had other religions. Of those at least 15 years old, 624 (13.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 1,083 (23.7%) people had no formal qualifications. 573 people (12.6%) earned over $ 70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
2520-612: Was also referred to as 'the Central'. Areas around the area governed by the Central Otago District Council area are also often simply known as Central, such as Arrowtown, Queenstown and Wānaka. Alexandra, New Zealand Alexandra ( Māori : Manuherikia or Areketanara ) is a town in the Central Otago district of the South Island of New Zealand. It is on the banks of the Clutha River (at
2576-507: Was built by James Simmonds who also served as mayor of Alexandra. The Bendigo Hotel was situated on the corner of Tabert & Rivers streets. The original Bendigo Hotel, was a wooden, single storied structure built in the 1860s. This original building was demolished in 1900. This was required by the Tuapeka Licensing Commission who stated that the building should be replaced, or the license revoked. The Bendigo Hotel
2632-693: Was built in 2003 and replaced the previous swimming pool known as the Centennial Baths. The indoor complex includes a 25m lap pool, a learners' pool and a spa pool. An outdoor pool is also open during the summer months. The complex is located within Molyneux Park . An outdoor Olympic sized ice rink in Molyneux Park is run by the Alexandra Winter Sports Club. It is the largest one of its type in New Zealand. It
2688-427: Was built on Knobbies Range overlooking Alexandra in 1968. Initially, there was some opposition to the proposal. A full size mock-up was placed on the proposed site for six weeks. Local reaction was assessed and it was overwhelmingly supportive of the idea. It cost around $ 3000 to build the clock. This included the foundations, steel markers, electrics, painting etc. The Jaycees club put in many hours of volunteer labour to
2744-513: Was closed after the completion of the Clyde Dam in 1990 and the lines were removed in 1990. In 2000, the Otago Central Rail Trail was opened allowing mountain bikers and walkers to traverse the rail corridor from Clyde through Alexandra and on to Middlemarch. The town is a popular holiday destination mainly due to the hot and sunny climate during summer. There are many accommodation options in Alexandra. Alexandra has had two bridges crossing
2800-557: Was ever present and loud and it also produced significant quantities of dust which plagued Alexandra. If the dredging hit hard rock, it interrupted the power supply to Alexandra and the lights of the entire town dimmed. The tailings from all the dredging now cover 170 hectares in a historic reserve known as the Earnscleugh Dredge Tailings. In 1878, the Clutha river flooded many towns including Clyde and Alexandra. The Manuherikia valley "resembled an inland sea". As
2856-559: Was opened in 1993. It replaced the previous ice skating rink at the Manorburn Dam. The Alexandra golf club was established in 1901. It moved to its present site alongside the Alexandra/Clyde highway in the mid-1960s and work started on the club house in 1970. Work occurred in 1974 redeveloping the layout of the 18 hole course. The course is relatively flat with well irrigated tree lined fairways. Rabbits were noted to be
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#17327873060742912-501: Was opened on 16 June 1879, it housed both the Warden's and Magistrate's Courts. it was built of stone. As mining was the main industry at the time the Warden's Court was kept busy dealing with issues relating to mining. These included registration of claims and dealing with matters such as water races, business, licenses, roads, forgeries and other similar issues relating to mining. The Magistrate's Court dealt with general legal matters. It
2968-528: Was that 2,076 (45.5%) people were employed full-time, 810 (17.8%) were part-time, and 81 (1.8%) were unemployed. Grape production is another major industry in the Central Otago Wine Region . The first plantings of grapes were in 1864. Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are some of the varieties that are grown in the vicinity. Alexandra has a number of vineyards that potentially are the world's most southern. There are more than 25 vineyards in
3024-545: Was then rebuilt in 1900. The new hotel was a two storied brick structure. It contained 30 bedrooms and was of the standard of a first class city hotel at the time. Numerous alternations occurred to the building over the next 100 years. The Bendigo was flooded in December 1995 and again in November 1999. This led to the hotel being demolished and the construction of a floodbank in 2001 to protect Alexandra from flooding. The old courthouse located in Alexandra's Centennial Avenue
3080-431: Was used as a courthouse until 1972. It is a Category 2 Historic Building. In 2006 the chimneys were renovated and it was repainted. It now operates as a cafe. Vallance Cottage is a mud brick house built in 1896. It was home to a family of eleven at one stage. It is a category 2 listed building with Heritage New Zealand . In the 1970s, Vallance Cottage still had no running water inside and only cold running water in
3136-430: Was widespread concern within the community and indeed throughout Central Otago about the proposed airport. Central Otago Central Otago is an area located in the inland part of the Otago region in the South Island of New Zealand . The motto for the area is "A World of Difference". The area is dominated by mountain ranges and the upper reaches of the Clutha River and tributaries. The wide flat plateau of
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