Huts and dwellings on the Nevis Valley route Garston to Bannockburn
Every year or two I like to do a trip through the Nevis Valley in Central Otago, and on every occasion I end up taking longer and longer, as it's just full of history and points of interest.
So working our way from Garston back to Bannockburn here are a few of the dwellings in the valley...
The historic Southland Ski Club hut near the top of the Nevis Saddle...
This hut has been restored, but being beside a road can leave it open to abuse. Still it is dry and clean enough...
The carpark beside what is a public 4wd road [closed over winter though]...
This style chair was a product of the 60s. My parents had a set, so this took me right back down memory lane. This one even made the same noise as I placed it by the light...
The above's out-house...
Sadly this state of disrepair of a hut down in the head of the Nevis river, and up a side stream, could easily be put right...
Modern day miner's cottages I suspect, turned bach /crib/ holiday home...
Beside an old gold dredging hole/lake
Fireplace in above remains...
Again a modern day miner's cottage...
Up a side valley - new lean-to on the side of a really old mud and stone hut...
The perfect situation for those roasting summer days, where shade is everything...
Selwyn's house has been lovingly restored and inside is lined with hi-tech astro foil for insulation that was developed by NASA...
Ken's house was built by his grand-father, and is over a hundred years old with the roof still the original iron bought here from Scotland...
So working our way from Garston back to Bannockburn here are a few of the dwellings in the valley...
The historic Southland Ski Club hut near the top of the Nevis Saddle...
This hut has been restored, but being beside a road can leave it open to abuse. Still it is dry and clean enough...
The carpark beside what is a public 4wd road [closed over winter though]...This style chair was a product of the 60s. My parents had a set, so this took me right back down memory lane. This one even made the same noise as I placed it by the light...The above's out-house...Sadly this state of disrepair of a hut down in the head of the Nevis river, and up a side stream, could easily be put right...Modern day miner's cottages I suspect, turned bach /crib/ holiday home...Beside an old gold dredging hole/lakeFireplace in above remains...Again a modern day miner's cottage...Up a side valley - new lean-to on the side of a really old mud and stone hut...The perfect situation for those roasting summer days, where shade is everything...Selwyn's house has been lovingly restored and inside is lined with hi-tech astro foil for insulation that was developed by NASA...Ken's house was built by his grand-father, and is over a hundred years old with the roof still the original iron bought here from Scotland...Labels: Bannockburn, Central Otago, Nevis valley
posted by Donald at
7:49 AM
8 Comments:
I love that first photo, Donald, and also the old stone hut. How do you get time to make all these trips? I am so busy just trying to make a few dollars.
Hi Shirley
Yes, interesting who likes what.
The time: well these places are just so close - in this case 45 mins to Bannockburn and I'm among it! So they're usually a weekend thing.
Cheers
Donald
The Nevis is such an amazing place. The huge sweep of landscape and the firm traces of humans all right there. But despite the traces. Nobody there right now.
Kerry Hand
www.thefieldofgold.blogspot.com
Hi Kerry
Yes it an amazing place. Time seems to leave it alone.
With every passing year I realise I'd like to experience it in mid winter. Maybe next year!
I think it'd draw even more to attention what you mentioned, where we've left our mark, but there is no one about.
Cheers
Donald
Lots of history here Donald. Thanks, Bob
Hi Bob
Yes, it reeks of the endeavours of many people over a long period of time.
I'm always intrigued as to how to find out more - certainly I never meet many people there apart from folk driving through, most of whom don't seem to have the inclination to stop and chat. Maybe they're a bit overawed by the isolation and vastness of the landscape.
Cheers
Donald
here is smething I did not know. I had no idea it was possible to get from Garston to Bannockburn over the hills. Also never in my life had I been to bannockburn until this week on the way home from queestown on friday we took a detour and drove around there a little bit finally having a coffee at the cafe there. I would like to go there again sometime.
Dear Marg,
Yes it's true the Nevis is a bit hidden - I tend to forget this as I've been fortunate to travel through there many times since I first discovered it in the late seventies. I did get through in a car back then, but the road has quietly got worse.
Glad you discovered Bannockburn though - it's a nice wee place and I bought a muffin there on my way through last Sat.
This weekend is a stay at home one, so I might do my next blog on another aspect of the Nevis again.
I'll catch up more soon too.
Cheers
Donald
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