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.
Take the cars away from Ophir's main street and it looks much the same as it has for more than a century.
Many of the schist and mud-brick buildings from the early days still exist. They add to the charm of the place and are among the drawcards for visitors.
Holidaying families enjoy the slower pace of life and the fact that Ophir is off the beaten track.
The town can lay claim to being one of the coldest places in the country in winter - the temperature dropped to -21.6degC on July 3, 1995, the second-coldest temperature recorded in New Zealand, behind -25.6 in Ranfurly in 1903.
However, in summer, the reverse is true and Ophir often tops the summer temperatures, as blue skies and calm, sunny days become the norm.
The town's proximity to the Manuherikia River is a bonus, with plenty of safe swimming spots, and Ophir also boasts its own community-run swimming pool, which is popular throughout summer.
For campers such as Brad Anderson, of Invercargill, the town has all his family needs and more.
''It's got a restaurant, the river, a pool when the river's dirty, a hotel with friendly publican, and everything's within easy walking distance. What else could you ask for?''
Although the family stays at nearby Omakau, they spend much of their 10-day holiday in Ophir.
''It's a great spot and only three hours' drive away from home.''
Country hotels in the wider Central Otago district are another drawcard.
''Sometimes we organise a driver and have a day going around the country pubs here.''
The two race meetings at the Omakau racecourse in early January - the harness on January 2 and the gallops the following day - also add to the entertainment available in the area and attract thousands of punters.
Lyndal Paul, of Invercargill, is another camper who spends a reasonable amount of time supervising younger family members at the Ophir swimming pool.
''It's a nice safe place for the kids to swim and we spend a fair bit of time here. It's quieter than at some other pools and the kids enjoy it.''
Gold was discovered in the foothills of the Raggedy Range behind the town more than 150 years ago.
The site was the property of runholders Charles and William Black, so the town was originally known as Blacks Diggings and then became Blacks.
The school and hotel retained the Blacks name but the town's name was officially changed to Ophir in 1875, after the gold mine mentioned in the Bible where gold was obtained for King Solomon.
By 1875, the population of the town had grown to 1000, and in its heyday the bustling town had stores, hotel, banks, churches, a courthouse, post office, hospital, police station and school.
Ophir boasts one of the last suspension bridges in Central Otago.
The single-lane wooden bridge over the Manuherikia was designed by Vincent County engineer L. D. McGeorge and opened in 1880.
It was named the Daniel O'Connell bridge and is still in use today.
The town's fortunes started to wane at the end of the 19th century, and when the Otago Central railway bypassed Ophir for Omakau, 2km to the east, in 1904, businesses gradually moved closer to the railhead at Omakau.
Eventually, the railway line closed and the route was turned into the Otago Central Rail Trail.
The flow-on effect from the trail has been a boost for many towns, including Ophir.
Harry and Denise Friedlander, of Wellington, were among the cyclists on the trail last week and they were delighted to discover Ophir on their first day of travel.
''This is such a cute place. I love history so I'm really enjoying looking around the town and seeing all the original buildings that still exist,'' Mrs Friedlander said.
''What struck me is the number of new buildings around - the rail trail has obviously helped revitalise these areas,'' her husband said. The couple planned their rail trail visit six months ago.
''We'd always said we'd take time off work and do it and it's something we've wanted to do for ages,'' he said.
''There's quite a few people on the trail this week and I think we're about the only New Zealanders - we've struck all overseas people so far.''
When the Friedlanders complete the trail, they plan to tackle the Clutha Gold and Roxburgh Gorge trails, from Lawrence to Roxburgh dam and Roxburgh to Alexandra respectively.
Ophir
• 25km from Alexandra, 2km from Omakau
• Village established in 1863
• Originally known as Blacks
• Historic buildings line its main street
