Explore Nine Mile Reserve
Nine Mile Reserve in the Lindis Valley of North Otago preserves the ruins of the historic Lindis Hotel and marks the site of the first gold rush in the South Island in 1861 on the Lindis River. Reached via Old Faithful Road, the original route through the valley, this site provides access to gold-rush history, mountain-biking trails, and the challenging Lindis Peak Track, all set amid the tussock-covered landscape of North Otago.
Discovery of Gold on the Lindis River
John Turnbull Thomson discovered gold in the Lindis Valley in 1857 during his exploration of Lindis Pass, but the find attracted little attention at the time. Four years later, in April 1861, Samuel McIntyre, a road crew member and former Californian prospector, found gold nuggets in the riverbank. News spread rapidly, and within a month, 300 prospectors had established a camp in the valley.
The rush proved short-lived. Richer deposits discovered at Gabriel's Gully near Lawrence drew miners away, while harsh early Winter weather made conditions difficult. Chinese miners returned to work the area in the 1890s, extracting gold from claims others had abandoned. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the government subsidised gold mining operations, bringing another wave of prospectors to the valley. Wattie Thompson, one of the last miners, continued working his claim until a flood destroyed it in the early 1970s, ending nearly 120 years of intermittent gold extraction from the Lindis.
History of the Lindis Hotel
The Lindis Hotel ruins stand as the primary historical feature at Nine Mile Reserve. Beginning as a store in 1861 during the gold rush, the building evolved into an established roadside hotel by the 1870s. The structure expanded over decades until the 1930s, when road rerouting to the opposite side of the river left it isolated. After serving as a private residence, the building was abandoned in 1951. Today, the stone foundations and remaining walls tell the story of this once-vital stopover on the inland route between Otago and Canterbury, via the Lindis Pass.
Old Faithful Road itself provides a window into 19th-century travel. Rising 40 metres above the Lindis River, this narrow four-kilometre gravel route follows the original road through the valley before State Highway 8 was constructed. The road crosses Goodger Flat at its northern end, passing through working farmland before reaching the reserve. The nearby Faithful Bridge, now gone, carried traffic across the river until the 1930s realignment.
Activities and Things to Do
The Lindis Peak Track begins at the head of Old Faithful Road and climbs 800 metres over approximately three hours to reach the 1,226-metre summit. The 5 to 6 hour tramping track rewards the effort with expansive views across the Lindis Valley, the Ahuriri River basin, and the surrounding mountain ranges. The route traverses tussock slopes and rocky terrain, requiring a reasonable level of fitness, enough food and water and appropriate clothing.
Mountain bikers use the network of 4WD tracks that thread through the mountains surrounding the valley. These routes vary in difficulty and distance, with options for both short rides and extended backcountry exploration. The terrain includes steep climbs, technical descents, and exposed ridgeline sections.
The Lindis River provides opportunities for fishing and riverside walks. Access points near the reserve allow exploration of the riverbanks where gold prospectors once worked their claims.
Camping by the Ruins
The DOC campsite at Nine Mile Reserve includes basic facilities and river access. The location serves as a base for exploring the surrounding tussock country and provides direct access to mountain biking tracks that wind through the ranges.
Getting There
From State Highway 8, travel through the Lindis Valley for five kilometres after descending from Cluden Hill to the south. At the northern end of the valley, before the road enters the rocky gorge, a signposted turnoff marks the start of Old Faithful Road. The road is suitable for most vehicles in dry conditions, but may become challenging after heavy rain. From Cromwell, the drive to Old Faithfull Road is 37 minutes and 49 km, taking State Highway 8. Wānaka is a similar drivetime. From Omarama in the Mackenzie Country, the drive is 50 minutes and 64 km.
Other places to visit along this route include Tarras, Goodger Road and the Ahuriri Valley.
