Ophir, born of the gold boom 150 years ago, is now reaping the benefits from tourism as visitors and holidaymakers delight in the special character of the historic township. Reporter Lynda van Kempen visits one of Central Otago's ''hidden'' gems.
It was one of the smallest books at the Alexandra Rotary Club charity sale but it caused the most hilarity.
''Brucies Crew'' staked their claim at Molyneux Park four hours before the twenty20 match between Otago and Auckland began yesterday - and their joy in the return of top-level cricket to the park was echoed by many in the crowd.
Pink nail polish-wearing bull riders are as rare as ... well ... as cowgirls competing against men in rodeo events.
Shannon McKelvey channelled the 1960s in her third-time-lucky win of the Miss Alexandra Swimsuit title yesterday.
After half a century of fine weather on Boxing Day, it appeared the run of good luck for the Millers Flat Rodeo ran out yesterday.
Sport and romance are side by side, children run the width of the hall, and collectables are out on their own.
The ''warm fuzzies'' were on the menu yesterday for both the diners and volunteers at the 13th annual Alexandra Community Christmas Dinner.
Rear-vision mirrors and vehicles overloaded with passengers will come under the scrutiny of police during the holiday period.
The employment of 11 casual night carers means Central Otago residents under the care of the Otago Community Hospice programme will be able to spend Christmas in their own homes.
With a name like Dance, this Roxburgh family was destined to be in sync.
Central Otago cherries are still on the menu for Christmas, although growers were ''on the edge of their seats'' at the weekend as the first significant rainfall in more than a month hit ripening crops.
Ten Chilean students are having a cherry Christmas in Cromwell as part of a joint venture between their country's Ministry of Agriculture and the Otago Polytechnic.
A fire ban will be in place in Central Otago from tomorrow until January 6, or longer if the area remains dry.
Just pipped at the post during the Australasian cherry pip spitting championships, Mike Wardill is vowing revenge on home ground in the next round of the battle.
No more delays - it is time to deliver, the Central Otago District Council was told yesterday, on the topic of upgrading the Cromwell wastewater treatment plant.
The head of police in Central Otago has issued a warning for festive season revellers, in the wake of four drivers allegedly drink-driving at the weekend.
A problem intersection in Alexandra, the site of five reported crashes in the past five years, is due for a makeover.
The Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes mayors have thrown their weight behind a bid by the Highlands Motorsport Park to host the New Zealand Grand Prix.
A wrangle over names for Central Otago's highest unnamed mountain peaks has finally ended.
