Discovering Golden Point Reserve
Golden Point Reserve, a historical site managed by the Department of Conservation, is located north of Macraes in Central Otago. This reserve is a well-preserved example of the South Island's gold mining history, featuring several historic buildings, remnants of mining equipment, and an accessible mine tunnel. As you approach the reserve, you'll spot a curious big "land sculpture" of terraces along Golden Point Road, just north of the reserve's entrance.
A Glimpse into Gold Rush History
The history of Golden Point Reserve is deeply connected to the gold rush era. Gold was first discovered in the Macraes area in 1862, leading to an influx of over 500 miners by 1865. Initially, mining efforts focused on alluvial deposits near the town. However, by the 1870s, the focus shifted to hard rock underground reef mining. The region also became known for the discovery and extraction of scheelite, a mineral used to produce tungsten.
Mining Operations at Golden Point
Golden Point itself began operations in 1889. Over the years, several companies mined the area, with the Golden Point Mining Company battery remaining active until the 1950s. The Maritana Company battery, which processed scheelite from 1911, played a significant role during both World Wars by providing materials for armour plating and heavy guns.
The primary aim of hard rock mining at Golden Point was to extract quartz, which contained gold. The ore was crushed into a fine slurry in stamping batteries, then dissolved in mercury or cyanide to release the gold particles. The Maritana Company stamping battery is one of the surviving pieces of equipment from this era.
How to Get There
To reach Golden Point Reserve, take Golden Point Road from Macraes Road, located east of the town. Follow the road past the Oceana Gold processing facility until you reach the signposted reserve access road. The drive is 8 minutes and 6.7 km.
While in Macraes, you can also view the modern Oceana open-cast goldmine, immediately east of the town. Around the small town, there are short walks that engage with the early gold heritage, various outdoor artworks, and a wetlands restoration, all sponsored by modern gold mining activity.
Further afield, drive the spectacular Moonlight Road to Middlemarch, or the Pigroot to Palmerston. Another, more remote option is to visit the remains of the boom-to-bust town of Nenthorn.
