Activities

This is a very comfortable one- hour return walk to New Zealand’s only inland salt lake located 8km from Middlemarch. The walk is suitable for all ages and you will enjoy a sense of solitude amongst the distinctive schist rock landscape. A variety of animal and plant life can be observed. You can choose to bike from Middlemarch or be transported there and back by Mt Ida Adventure Tours ($20.00 charge per person, minimum 2 people). An information sheet is provided.

Sutton Military Camp

This camp was used for artillery training purposes between 1913 and 1955.There was once accommodation for 3000 troops. Today you can see the area where live shell practices were carried out; the stone camp cookhouse and stone ammunition stores ($20.00 charge per person, minimum 2 people). This attraction can be combined with a visit to the Sutton Salt Lake as both locations are in close proximity to each other. An information sheet is provided.

Rock and Pillar Range

We can take you to one of several access routes for you to walk to the summit. Fine weather is required (see Rock and Pillar webcam) and a good level of fitness. We will provide a map, water bottle and pack, if required. We keep in mobile phone contact and collect you on your return to the starting point ($20.00 - $40.00 charge per person, dependent on access point, minimum 2 people).

Smooth Cone

You can photograph this distinctive hill with its lone pine-tree on top or climb to its summit. The tree was planted on Armistice Day 1921. Smooth Cone is approx 6 km from Middlemarch. A visit to Smooth Cone can be combined with other activities. Please inquire about transport.

The Crater

This is a volcanic formation on the Taieri Ridge, overlooking the Strath Taieri Valley. We can provide you with transport and a guided walk to view this interesting feature ($30.00 charge per person).

The Dunstan Trail and off-road 4- wheel drive trips

These full day trips need to be pre-booked before your stay in Middlemarch or as part of a Rail Trail Package ($190.00 per day for vehicle and driver). Maximum party size is four.

Fishing

The Taieri River is a medium sized river but is New Zealand’ s third longest. (318km) There are sections of water to suit anglers of every type and age. We can guide you to several of the best spots for brown trout fishing between Deep Stream and Waipiata. Guiding fees are $60.00 per hour and include transport.

Golf at the 9-hole Middlemarch Course

This is a picturesque flat course with no bunkers but strategically placed trees and rocks to test your accuracy. The golf course is 1.5km from Rose Cottage. The charge is $15.00 per 18 holes. We can arrange clubs for you to use.

Middlemarch Museum

This provides a wonderful range of exhibits showing the history of settlement of the Strath Taieri Plain. If the museum is not open we can unlock and show you through ($2.00 entrance per person).

Middlemarch Railway Station

Here we have the only railway precinct in the South Island that is intact with station, goods shed, gang amenities, trolley sheds, turntable, track and the original stationmaster’s house. The Taieri Gorge train leaves the station for Dunedin at 1 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays except during the winter months when it runs only as far as Pukerangi.

Photography and Landscape painting

Middlemarch provides a host of opportunities for either of these pursuits. The range of subjects is huge: from all the localities listed above to historic bridges, buildings and interesting cloud formations. You may be lucky enough to photograph the endangered New Zealand Falcon. It can fly at speeds up to 200km per hour! If you wish, we can advise and guide you to a range of interesting locations. Please inquire.

Café culture

To reward your outdoor endeavours. The selection of cafés means you can visit them all. You will enjoy fine food, coffee and the hospitality that people drive from Dunedin and further a field to experience. The cafés are all within walking distance of Rose Cottage.