Golden Progress Mine Oturehua

A little something to do in Oturehua, if you have already seen Gilchrist's Store and Hayes Engineering works, is a ramble up Reef Road then the track to the remains of the Golden Progress Mine.

The reef is a Quartz Reef and the intention to get gold from it was acted upon in 1868. What's left is a bunch of scary tunnels and holes in the ground, so look out for them, a 14 metre timber poppet tower with the old boiler that used to power the battery, and a lot of tailings. The remains of a tiny stone hut are along the track too. During September and October this farm is lambing so the track will be closed.

Also, great views of the nearby ranges, Hawdun and Blackstone.

Another type of mining, for Silcrete, still takes place here in the Ida Valley, having begun 800 years ago.