Orepuki: A Gem on the Southern Scenic Route
Orepuki is a quaint town located on the Southern Scenic Route at the southern foot of the Longwood Range, towards the southeast end of Te Waewae Bay. Situated about halfway between Riverton / Aparima and Tuātapere, Orepuki offers stunning clifftop views and a rich history. The Orepuki Beach Cafe is known for its local produce and award-winning status.
The town's historic section lies on the north side of the highway, while a collection of houses and an access road sit above the cliff on the south side, providing breathtaking views of the bay.
Māori Heritage and European Settlement
Orepuki has a long history of Māori presence. Gemstone Beach was significant for its garnet gemstones, which were used to polish and sharpen toki (adzes). The name Orepuki likely derives from Aropaki, meaning "bright expanse," which would refer to the bay and sky,or Aro-puke, meaning "crumbling cliffs," reflecting the area's coastal geography.
The first Europeans to visit were sealers and whalers. The discovery of gold flakes on the beach near Monkey Island in 1865 led to rapid growth, with miners and settlers arriving from Dunedin. Initially, a tent town called Hirstfield emerged, followed by the establishment of Garfield. The town was later moved due to its location on gold-bearing land and renamed Orepuki. The discovery of coal and shale in 1879 further boosted the population to 3,000.
Gold mining eventually shifted north into the Longwood Forest and remnants of this era can be explored on the Round Hill Walking Track.
Orepuki Today
Today, Orepuki is a semi-ghost town surrounded by farms, with remnants of its bustling past visible in abandoned stores, mining relics, and sluicings. Visitors can still find traces of gold in the sand on the beach and surrounding hills. The coastal landscape is marked by wind-bent trees, adding to the area's rugged charm.
Getting to Orepuki
To reach Orepuki from Invercargill, follow State Highway 99, part of the Southern Scenic Route, to the west along the southern coast. The town is located between Riverton / Aparima and Tuātapere.
Nearby attractions include Gemstone Beach to the west and Cosy Nook and Monkey Island to the east, both offering unique natural experiences.
