Strath-Taierei

This geographical wonder has only been part of the city of Dunedin since 1989 and is synonymous with the Otago Central Rail Trail.

The areas natural inhabitant, the Otago Skink – an endangered species subsists in the extreme conditions of the Central Otago climate, often reaching both the national highs and lows annually. With Middlemarch lying at its northern central end, the Strath-Taieri is circumscribed by rugged hill ranges (the Rock and Pillar range of the Maniototo, and the mountain ranges from the north west of the Otago Harbour) and was formed by ancient glaciers. These carved out its valley shape with a river, the Taieri, running through its centre.  

Being a hybrid word, the Strath-Taieri readily represents its ancestral past. ‘Strath’ derived from Gaelic Scotland means ‘broad highland valley’; while Taieri is a New Zealand Maori word gifted to the river for naming purposes. The latter people used this area extensively for hunting Moa – a native gigantic flightless bird, evidently pursued to extinction. As a result archaeological sites are prominent throughout the valley, bestowing to it a rich and varied history.  

This newly acquired Dunedin territory is absolutely ideal for camping, tramping, and fishing. It is often a hive of activity especially in the hot summer months. Plenty of events and accommodation (mainly B&B’s) exist throughout the area and the pleasures of the Strath-Taieri can be reached by just an hours scenic drive from Dunedin city, by boarding the historic Taieri Gorge Railway or by utilising the Otago Central Rail Trail – a cycling/walking trail providing access via an historic route from Clyde to Middlemarch (see OCRT section).