Balclutha, New Zealand

Balclutha
Iwikatea (Māori)
Town
Looking across the Clutha towards the town centre. The distinctive road bridge is visible in the centre of the picture
Looking across the Clutha towards the town centre. The distinctive road bridge is visible in the centre of the picture
Map
Coordinates: 46°14′S 169°45′E / 46.233°S 169.750°E / -46.233; 169.750
CountryNew Zealand
RegionOtago
Territorial authorityClutha District
WardBalclutha
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial authorityClutha District Council
 • Regional councilOtago Regional Council
 • Mayor of CluthaBryan Cadogan
 • Taieri MPIngrid Leary
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
 • Total7.55 km2 (2.92 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total4,430
 • Density590/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode(s)
9230
Area code03
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

Balclutha (Māori: Iwikatea) is a town in South Otago, lying towards the end of the Clutha River, on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is about halfway between Dunedin and Gore on the Main South Line railway, State Highway 1 and the Southern Scenic Route. Balclutha has a population of 4,430 (as of June 2024), and is the largest town in South Otago.

The Clutha District Council is based in Balclutha.

The major service centre for the fertile farming region around the lower reaches of the Clutha River, it is also the nearest large town to the Catlins, a scenic region of native forest, wildlife, and rugged coastline.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Area was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.