Balclutha

BALCLUTHA ACTIVITIES AND TRAVEL | Balclutha Information

Balclutha is a town in the Otago region on the east coast of the South Island, New Zealand; it is located around halfway between Dunedin and Invercargill.

Balclutha is divided by the Clutha River which is the largest waterway by volume in New Zealand. The river is significant to the town's history because it encouraged farmers to the area and brought wealth with the discovery of gold.

The Clutha River is open all year round for salmon and trout fishing. For a great walk and to see some of Balclutha's amazing scenery take the Blair Athol Walkway which starts at Naish Park and takes you along the banks of the Clutha River to the Blair Athol farm.

Balclutha also has a range of shops and services available for visitors and residents. If you plan to stay overnight and want a taste of country life, try a local farmstay in the area.

Balclutha History

Balclutha's name reflects the Scottish origin of the town's settlement, and translates from Scottish Gaelic as "Town on the Clyde". James McNeil from Bonn Hill, Dumbartonshire, Scotland, is regarded as the town's founding father and arrived in 1853. His farm was on the site of the present town, where he and the Provincial Government established a ferry service across the Clutha in 1857; as a result the town was initially called Clutha Ferry.

Main Towns in the Dunedin Region

Other Towns in the Dunedin Region