Middlemarch: A Gateway to Central Otago
Middlemarch is a rural service town situated in the heart of the Strath Taieri Plain in Central Otago, along State Highway 87, south of Ranfurly. It serves as the endpoint for the Otago Central Rail Trail, a popular cycling route that begins in Clyde. The town is framed by the Rock and Pillar Range to the west, with its highest point reaching just above the snow line at 1,450 metres. You can hike up this steep 1,000-metre climb or opt for a 4WD adventure. To the northeast, the rugged Taieri Ridge extends towards the Kakanui Mountains.
Geological Features and Historical Insights
The Rock and Pillar Range and Taieri Ridge are distinct geological formations, each on separate fault lines, created by uplift around three million years ago. Over time, erosion has sculpted numerous rock tors, a characteristic feature of the area.
Evidence of volcanic activity dating back about 20 million years is also present. Conical Hill, known locally as Smooth Cone, is a notable volcanic feature near Moonlight Road. The Redan Crater, the largest in the South Island at 300 metres wide, is located high on the west side of Taieri Ridge on private land but can be seen from State Highway 87B north of Middlemarch. The Taieri River also flows through the plain, eventually entering the Taieri Gorge.
Local Amenities and Activities
Middlemarch has a pub, café, and restaurant, particularly during the high season, as well as a campground. The town marks the end of the railway line that was transformed into a cycle trail after the section from Middlemarch to Clyde was closed. Near the station, you can find a few railway artefacts.
Exploring the quiet local roads provides views of rocky tors and often dry, golden fields. A recommended route starts on Moonlight Road in Middlemarch, heading south on Mount Stoker Road, then Murrays Road to the hamlet of Sutton on State Highway 87. From there, follow the main highway for a few hundred metres before taking Kidd Road to the Sutton Salt Lake Track, an hour-long return walk.
How to Get There
To reach Middlemarch from Dunedin, take State Highway 1 to Mosgiel, then follow State Highway 87 all the way to Middlemarch.
From Middlemarch, there are many options to explore: Macraes to the east, Ranfurly and Naseby to the north on the Maniototo Plain, and the Ida Valley and Manuherekia Valley to the northeast. For a remote adventure, take the Old Dunstan Road over the highlands on the west side of the Rock and Pillar Range.
