Clyde Township

A small township where historic stone buildings and a large hydro-electric dam make an interesting contrast. You can spend a very pleasant dayout here exploring the pioneer buildings and relaxing at a picnic spot at Lake Dunstan, created by the dam on the Clutha River.

Once named The Dunstan, the town was at the centre of the 1862 Dunstan goldrush. The rush started when two Californian miners, Hartley and Reilly, arrived in Dunedin with eighty-seven pounds of gold.

After payment of a large reward, they agreed to reveal the site of their find in the Cromwell Gorge - (a plaque now marks the spot). When Hartley returned to the gorge, he was almost lynched by unsuccessful, angry diggers.

Protected by Major Jackson Keddell of the Mounted Police, he had to demonstrate to the crowd how to get the alluvial wash from the bottom of the Clutha River.

With proof of gold in the river, the diggers rushed to peg claims. Muttontown Gully, over a kilometre south of Clyde, was the site of the canvastown. Here the diggers bought mutton from William Fraser’s Earnscleugh sheep station.

Philip Levy, the first storekeeper, later gained notoriety as a bushranger and was hanged for his crimes. More substantial buildings - some of which you can see today - soon replaced the tents. When the goldrush was over some diggers remained, taking up land for fruit growing. Orchards still play an important part in the prosperity of the district.

BOOK YOUR STAY AT HISTORIC HARTLEY HOMESTEAD CLYDE

FULL DAY ROXBURGH GORGE CYCLING TOUR FROM QUEENSTOWN

Image Credits: Old current wheel dredge, near Clyde, New Zealand, by Muir & Moodie studio, maker unknown. Te Papa, Clyde, 1870-1880s, Clyde, by Burton Brothers studio. Te Papa and Benjamin Allcock