Bendigo Goldfields

Bendigo Goldfields

Location
Bendigo Goldfields Bendigo Goldfields, New Zealand
Location	Bendigo
Region	Central Otago
Country	New Zealand
Coordinates	44°55′30″S 169°20′30″E / 44.92500°S 169.34167°E / -44.92500; 169.34167
Production
Products	Gold, minor scheelite
Production	>28,700 t oz (893 kg)[1]
Type	alluvial, underground
History
Discovered	1862
Opened	1862
Active	1862-1913, 1933-1942

The Bendigo Goldfields region of Central Otago is an historic area comprising several former mining settlements in the southern South Island of New Zealand. It was part of the Otago gold rush that occurred during the 1860s, leading to an influx of miners from rushes in California and Victoria, Australia. These miners brought with them a rich diversity of cultures from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Sweden, China, Australia, Canada, and the United States. The area was named after the goldfield by the same name in Victoria.^[2]

Mining continued until 1943, when the government mining subsidy was withdrawn.^[3] Renewed interest since then has triggered activity in the 1980s, early in the 21st century, and again in the 2020s.^[4] The Bendigo Goldfields region is located 17 kilometres (11 mi) to the northeast of Cromwell, at the head of Lake Dunstan.

Much of the Bendigo Goldfields are managed by the Department of Conservation as both a Scenic Reserve and Historic Reserve. A bonus for visitors is the magnificent view of the Pisa Range across the upper Clutha Valley, and north towards the mountains beyond Lake Hāwea. Visitors are freely able to wander at will, but care should be taken due the nature of the country and deep mine shafts. Children should be well supervised.