Lawrence is a historic town on State Highway 8 between Dunedin and Alexandra. It was Otago’s, and indeed NZ’s, first gold rush town following the discovery of gold at nearby Gabriel’s Gully in 1861. Its population peaked at 11,500, double that of Dunedin at the time, making it one of the largest communities in the country. Gold effectively bankrolled the development of Otago and paid for much of the heritage buildings around Dunedin. Lawrence was a key point on the routes to the Central Otago goldfields, including Gabriels Gully.
Today, the town only has 450 people. However, as you go through Lawrence on State Highway 8, you get a sense of colonial heritage. The best idea is to head up to Colonsay St on the ridge above the main street. The combination of large heritage buildings is unique. It includes churches, community buildings, and an old courthouse.
The main street also has a nice collection of cafes and shops, and various references to local history. The local museum is also excellent. Near the entrance to Gabriels Gully Road are many mining artefacts and the pretty Bellview Wetlands Reserve.
As you leave the town on State Highway 8, heading towards Roxburgh, you will also see a memorial to the Chinese miner community that resided in the area during the gold era. From the mid‑1860s, Chinese miners were often treated as second-class residents. In Lawrence, a bylaw was passed forbidding Chinese-owned businesses within the town. In 1867, the Chinese community set up the Lawrence Chinese Camp, the earliest and largest Chinese mining settlement in Otago. At its height in the late 1880s, it had 120 residents and several businesses, including the Empire Hotel. This hotel actually turned out to be the most popular in the district. Three original structures remain at the reserve, along with some old fruit trees and excellent history panels. A small war memorial has been added, recording the loss of Chinese New Zealanders during WWI.
Lawrence is also a feature on the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail for cyclists, which starts in Alexandra and then runs down the Clutha River valley, through Lawrence, then on to Waihola.
