Snow dusted mountains, awesome blue skies, and wide spaces peppered with rocks in every conceivable shape and form… The Maniatoto is one of a kind. Often referred to as ‘big sky’ country, it’s one of those places you’ll discover hidden gems and authentic Kiwi experiences far from the well-worn tourist trail. Here we’ll explore some of the best activities you can enjoy in the main towns of the Maniatoto, including Ranfurly, Naseby, St Bathans, and Oturehua.

What does ‘Maniatoto’ mean?

The Maniatoto, formerly spelled Maniototo, is a Māori name that roughly translates to the ‘plains of blood’ (Mānia = an open plain, toto = blood). Some attribute the meaning to the blood shed during historical inter-tribal conflicts between Māori, or the blood of the moa which were hunted in the area. It might otherwise allude to native red tussock that blankets some of the countryside.

1. Ranfurly

Ranfurly is one of the larger towns in the Maniatoto, making it a handy stop-over to stretch your legs, explore, and get your essentials. Nip into the Art Deco Museum to browse unique artefacts and enjoy a delicious quiche from the Maniototo Café before visiting the I-Site, inside the Railway Station. The staff here can help you with bike hire and provide information on the Otago Rail Trail, which passes right through Ranfurly (note: bike hire places usually close for winter).

Want to score a bargain? Check out The Curiosity Shoppe for antiques and the Ranfurly op shop for clothes, bric-a-brac, local goods, and CDs like How to Balance your Inner Libra plus other gems we all know and love. Find your cosy stay on Expedia. the Maniatoto is known for its country hospitality.

Top activities in Ranfurly:

• Join the colourful Art Deco Festival held in February
• Discover stunning vistas by cycling the Otago Rail Trail (you can access my honest accounts of cycling the ORT here)
• Love huskys? Drop into the Real Dog shop to chat with experts on dog sledding
• Visit Patearoa and walk to Dykes Dam (see my post on 4 stunning nature walks near Ranfurly)

2. Naseby: fun around every corner!

Known as the ‘curling capital of the world,’ Naseby is a small settlement situated about 14 km north of Ranfurly. A large mining community flourished here after the discovery of gold in the 1860s, and you can see evidence of gold tailings in Naseby Forest. For hearty meals, go to one of the local taverns or DIY with ingredients from the general store. You’ll need lots of energy for the fun activities below!

Naseby Activities

• Naseby Forest: wander the network of walking and biking trails, or go fly fishing in one of the dams (licences available from Fish & Game NZ)
• Try curling (check ahead that the rink is open)
• Right beside the curling rink, whizz down the ice luge and show off your ice skating prowess at Naseby Ice Rink. I recommend calling ahead as their opening hours aren’t predictable
• Not keen on ice sports? Naseby Golf Course is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon. Plus, you can play bowls there too
• Cool off at the Naseby Swimming dam, popular with locals in summer

3. Spooky St Bathans

It’s hard to believe that the eerily quiet village of St Bathans was once home to 2,000 gold miners during the 1880s. For comparison, the residential population now numbers fewer than 10!

With its unreal landscapes and intriguing history, St Bathans is one of the more haunting places to visit in the Maniatoto. Spend a night at The Vulcan Hotel and see if you have any encounters with Rose, the resident ghost. During the day, exploring Blue Lake is a must! At about 200m deep, the lake was carved out of Kildare Hill by early miners during their search for gold.


Why is Blue Lake… so blue?

During summer, you might notice that Blue Lake turns a stunning turquoise colour, like other lakes in the South Island (e.g. Tekapo, Twizel). This is caused by the dissolution of minerals from surrounding rock in the lakewater.

Activities in St Bathans

• Enjoy a feed and pint at the Vulcan Hotel, ask the staff about ghostly experiences, or stay a night (if you’re brave enough)
• Explore the perimeter of Blue Lake and snap pics of this man-made marvel
• Nip into the museum to see a model of how St Bathans looked back in the day
• Send a postcard from the impressive Kauri Post Office, with the one-and-only St Bathans stamp

4. Oturehua

The name Oturehua means the ‘land where the summer star stands still,’ a fitting name for this settlement that looks across the barrenly beautiful Ida Valley. Drop into the Gilchrist General Store for a snack or dose of Kiwi nostalgia. Built in 1899, Gilchrist Store claims the title of ‘New Zealand’s oldest continuously running general store’ and many products on display were actual things sold here in former decades, from Edmonds baking powder to Tiger Tea.

Hungry? Across the road from Gilchrist Store is the cosy Oturehua Railway Hotel which offers good tucker in the warmer seasons. Hayes Engineering Works & Homestead is also nearby, where you can roam amongst historical gold mining structures and learn about Otago’s fascinating past.

• Step into history at the Gilchrist General Store
• Explore the historical site of Hayes Engineering Homestead
• Hike the impressive ranges of Oteake Conservation Park, accessed a short drive from Oturehua
• The Idaburn Dam is a nice photography spot at sunset. In past winters when it froze over, locals hosted a bonspiel (curling tournament)

More Maniatoto activities

• Capture the constellation! Did you know that part of Maniatoto (map here) is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary? With minimal light pollution and a good track record for clear skies, it’s one of the best places in New Zealand for astrophotography and stargazing. For a fun learning experience, check out Naseby Night Sky Tours.
  
  

For the adventurous…

• Cycling: as previously mentioned, the Otago Rail Trail, a 150 km biking/walking track, is unforgettable way to experience the Maniatoto. Riding the entire trail takes about 3-6 days one way.
• Maniototo 4WD Safaris: remote areas in the Maniototo are often only accessible by 4WD. Join a 4WD safari to explore historical sites and breathtaking scenery along the way, with packages tailored to your interests.

Conclusion

There’s a huge variety of things to do in the Maniototo region – day or night, indoor or outdoor, bookable or self-guided. To embrace the ‘big sky country’, I recommend doing the activities mentioned here during spring – autumn. The warmth is easier on your bones if you’re riding the rail trail, most venues are open, and there’s other visitors around to liven the atmosphere. On the other hand, winter is great for night sky photography since the suns sets so early (~5pm). Just make sure you rug up in your warmest woollens!

Thinking of cycling the Rail Trail? Learn essential preparation tips and advice by seeing: Cycling Otago Rail Trail: packing list & tips.

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