Exclusively yours......... The Churrch*   Providing luxury accommodation and gracious hospitality for up to eight guests, The Churrch, offers a connection with real New Zealand! Off the tourist track, yet only one hour from Dunedin and two hours from Queenstown, The Churrch is splendidly sited in the goldrush town of Lawrence, gateway to the Central Otago wine country. Business conference or retreat, dream wedding or romantic getaway, be assured of a memorable stay.     The Churrch was designed by New Zealand’s pre-eminent Victorian architect Robert A. Lawson, who also designed the nearby former Lawrence Post Office, which provides an additional conference venue.   Lawson’s outstanding buildings enrich the Dunedin streetscape and include such notable examples as the Dunedin Town Hall, First Church and Larnach’s Castle.   The restored brick church with its stunning modern architecturally designed interior, features four double/twin bedrooms, luxury bathrooms, and fully equipped kitchen.   The intimate reception area leads to the soaring space of the baronial dining room and lounge, providing guests with exceptional comfort and ambience. Climb to the Belfry for sweeping views over the historic hamlet of Lawrence and the rolling green hills of the Tuapeka countryside!   Your personal chef offers a selection of menus for the discerning diner, accompanied by fine Central Otago vintages. Menus celebrate fresh local ingredients and vary with the seasons.   Luxury linens, down duvets, comfy bathrobes, and quality toiletries pamper The Churrch guests.   A short stroll through the garden finds further accomodation for ten, in Jafas modern studio units.   * the rolling r’s of Southern hospitality   To make further enquiry about this venue please contact the Historic Venues team.

Constructed in 1886 to serve the burgeoning population of Scottish Presbyterian miners, the solid brick building immediately became a Lawrence landmark. Designed by New Zealand’s preeminent Victorian architect Robert A. Lawson, it doubtless filled the Scottish congregation with considerable pride.   As the years marched by, and the population shrank the parishioners struggled to maintain the impressive old kirk, eventually electing to sell the building and rebuild a smaller place of worship close by. The last wedding was celebrated in June 1994, and the church was closed the following day.   Years of neglect followed. Dodgy dealings and “shady characters” led to a mysterious arson attack, leaving the once dignified building a blackened roofless shell & completely abandoned for many years. Local people petitioned the local council to have it demolished. It was termed an” eyesore” and an “embarrassment”.   Almost miraculously a family with a solid history of refurbishment and restoration fell in love with the potential of the derelict structure, rolled up their sleeves and rescued this iconic link to Lawrence’s Golden past. The children were amused at the lingering Scottish burr of local speech, and promptly christened the building “The Churrch.” Long family vacations filled with hard work and dedication followed. Eventually restored and reborn this splendid old building now has new life and a new purpose.   Today The Churrch can be exclusively yours........ a symbol of true Southern hospitality.... relax and luxuriate in a splendid example of our nation’s heritage. To make further enquiry about this venue please contact the Historic Venues team.

Lawrence has a long history of welcoming guests, beginning in 1861 when gold found in nearby Gabriel’s Gully rapidly swelled the population to over eleven thousand. The discovery of the Colony’s first payable gold by Tasmanian Gabriel Read, Indian Edward Peters and Scottish shepherd’s wife Helen Munro bankrolled the development of modern New Zealand. For a brief moment in history the population of Lawrence far exceeded that of Dunedin, as gold seekers rushed to the area from around the world.   Over 1,000,000 ounces of the precious metal trundled down the road by horse-drawn coach to make Dunedin New Zealand’s preeminent city. Although in time eclipsed by Auckland, the city’s splendid Victorian and Edwardian buildings bear testament to this golden era.   Chinese miners joined the fray around 1867, settling in a specially surveyed camp on the edge of town, now recognized as the oldest and most important Chinese heritage site in New Zealand. Intensive archaeology has provided the framework for the reconstruction of the Chinese Camp, set to begin in 2009. The camp comprises an important stop on the Chinese Heritage Trail, which commences with the Dunedin Chinese Scholars Garden, and concludes with the Cromwell and Arrowtown Chinese gold mining sites.   Eventually the golden dreams faded, the miners packed their belongings and headed off to the next exciting prospect. Gold mining continued on a limited scale into the 1930’s. The miners are gone, but a legacy of interesting architecture remains, much of which is now protected and under active preservation. The historic Lawrence Cemetery with its Chinese graves, elaborate Victorian wrought iron and timeless Celtic crosses, is a favorite destination for those interested in genealogy.   Along with our claim to being “first in gold”, local school teacher/musician John Joseph Woods composed the music for Thomas Bracken’s stirring poem that became the national anthem. Woods’ restored villa, known as Anthem House is a short walk from The Churrch as is the Tuapeka Lawrence Gold Fields Museum, for those interested in more local history.   For guests lingering in Lawrence, there are cosy restaurants, interesting craft shops and galleries and a heritage walking trail guiding the visitor around the unique gold rush era buildings. For more information on this venue please contact the Historic Venues team.   www.lawrence.co.nz

Delectable Edibles, features comestibles, decorative items for your table.... all with a French accent.   Gabriel’s Restaurant, The Lemon Tree , The Coffee Mine, The Wild Walnut, The Pick and Shovel, and the Corner Shop. Everything from gourmet dinners to casual snacks, and all located a short walk from The Churrch on the main street, Ross Place.   Shop for luxury woolen goods at the Weavers Croft and the Textile Emporium. Chat with the weavers, who will happily craft custom designs.   For original New Zealand art, pottery, jewelry and hand crafted furniture, visit the Gateway Gallery. The Country Mouse has a charming assortment of desirable accents for you and your home.   Visit Liz and Lisa, switched on decorating duo of O’Lea, for the latest interior style. Now in their large new store in the main street. For personal items and every day necessities....Chapman’s Discount Grocery Store, the Highland Pharmacy, and Tuapeka Hardware. Lawrence has a resident doctor and police officer. We trust you won’t need either! For more information on this venue please contact the Historic Venues team.

The Outdoors - Venturing further afield, be charmed by the unspoilt beauty of the hiking trails.   Hiking - Expose yourself to heritage, visit Gabriel’s Gully! Follow the interpretive panels as you trace the history of the 1861 Gold Rush during the 1½ hours it takes to circumnavigate the Gully. The hike is moderately demanding in its gradients, but there are plenty of places to catch your breath, admire the views and savour the birdsong. Other trails leading away from the Gully, and requiring four or five hours to complete, will lead you to the open panoramic views of the Blue Mountains and Lammerlaw Range. Knowledgeable local guides can further enhance the hiking experience.   Pan for Gold! - Rent or buy a gold pan from the Lawrence Information Centre, Ross Place and head for Gabriel’s Gully. Succumb to the lure of gold fever! Spend an intense hour or two sluicing and sloshing the river gravel to find those elusive flecks of “colour.” Find a fortune, probably not, but fun guaranteed!   Biking - Rent a mountain bike! Available from Jafas, by the hour or by the day. Literally scores of kilometres of quiet country roads through picturesque farming country beg to be explored. Cycle the Millenium Track as it follows the wild and scenic shores of the Clutha River. Gentle grades, idyllic picnic spots and backwater swimming bays. Also accessible by vehicle the Track is a favorite river access for kayakers. Cycling is a local passion, with the first bicycle ever built in New Zealand, made in Lawrence by local blacksmith Patrick O’Leary.   Fishing - Sshh..... outstanding fishing is one of the best-kept secrets of the Lawrence/Tuapeka district! Well conditioned trophy fish coupled with beautiful scenery and often total privacy make the area and anglers paradise.....off the beaten track. The season runs from October to April, for the Tuapeka, Pomohaka, Tokomairiro and Waitahuna Rivers , and tributaries, but remains open year round for the Clutha River. As New Zealand’s biggest river, its turquoise waters yield sea run, salmon and trout. Additionally there is good fishing to be had in many of the gold rush dams, particularly Malones and the Phoenix Dam which was constructed to supply water for gold mining in the 1860s. Lake Mahinerangi, “Daughter of the Sky”, is another prime fishing locations only 35 minutes from The Churrch. The internationally renowned Mataura River is only an hour from The Churrch. In some areas spinners, bait and flies may all be used legally. Popular spinners include Mepps and Veltics, and commonly used flies are Hare and Copper, Pheasant Tail, Half Back, Willow Grub, and Caddis. Dry flies include Twilight Beauty, Cicada, Beetle and Royal Wulff. For up-to-the-minute seasonal information regarding fishing contact Fish and Game New Zealand, Otago region, telephone 03 4779076. Experienced commercial guides available, and we will be happy to customize their services according to your needs, whether novice or experienced angler. Fly fishing lessons too! Your in-house chef at The Churrch will take care of your catch when you return!   Hunting - Opportunities abound within the Tuapeka district for the avid hunter to bag a variety of game. As the species hunted, red deer fallow deer, wild boar, hare and rabbits, are not native to New Zealand they may be hunted all year round, both in daylight and at night with spotlights. Duck shooting, popular locally is by comparison, strictly limited to a set season. If you plan on bringing guns or ammunition into the country, please check with New Zealand Customs. www.customs.govt.nz, as there are stringent regulations relating to both.   Jet Boating - Take an exhilarating Jet boat ride on the mighty Clutha River, as it muscles its way through the Tuapeka on its way to the sea. The enthusiastic and knowledgeable proprietors of the Beaumont Jet company will custom tailor a memorable trip... just for you.....whether it be an ecco tour or a day’s fishing. Or select a package tour. For more information on this venue please contact the Historic Venues team.

Picnic Lunch! Whatever your day’s activities, pause to enjoy a delicious picnic lunch from The Churrch.   Golf - Golfers have the challenge of two nine hole courses. The impeccably maintained, Lawrence Golf Club, with its sparkling new clubhouse, can be played as an 18 hole course. The more casual “Whisperings” in nearby Waitahuna is a nine-hole green. Golfing equipment can be hired by arrangement.   Lawn Bowls - And speaking of greens, the Lawrence Bowling Club, welcomes visitors and is believed to be the third oldest bowling green in New Zealand.   Art Holidays - Classes.... three hours to three days, individuals or groups. Brush up on your watercolour skills, amaze with your acrylics! Join an alfresco class in the lovely Tuapeka countryside, or one-on-one tuition can be arranged with local artists. Classes also include fibre arts and mixed-media.   Farm Visits - Lawrence is surrounded by lush farmland, producing lamb, beef and venison. Farm work follows the rhythm of the seasons, and several local farms welcome the opportunity to share their lifestyle with visitors. You may find yourself helping with the shearing, catching baby lambs, vaccinating cows, feeding livestock or any of the myriad chores that fill the farmer’s day. New Zealand’s agricultural skills are internationally renowned.   Gardens to visit - Local Lawrence gardens opened to the public include The Ark, a retired florist’s passion, park-like Marama, Belleview with its native plantings and trout ponds, the old daffodil fields of Weatherstons, and Riverview at Beaumont featuring flowers and caged birds.   Bird Watching - The Sinclair Wetlands. Only 35 minutes away, this beautiful reserve is home to some of New Zealand’s rarest birds. Located on the shores of Lake Waihola, it’s a great location for waterfowl and a must for birdwatchers hoping to add the fernbird and the rare bittern to life lists.   Early Birders Special - Dedicated amateur ornithologists can set their alarm clocks, rise early and within a minute arrive at the forest edge, Gabriel’s Gully, to be captivated by the dawn chorus. This spectacular wave of birdsong greets each morning from very early spring to midsummer. The Catlins and the Otago Peninsula, are both famous destinations for bird watchers, with the Peninsula boasting an albatross colony, and penguins and marine animals to be seen along the shores of both locations. For more information on this venue please contact the Historic Venues team.

Dunedin - This postcard city only an hour from The Churrch is widely regarded as the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian heritage city in the southern hemisphere. Set against a lush backdrop of native bush and skirting a magnificent harbour, Dunedin is a place where the past lives easily with the present. Almost 1/5 of the city’s population of 123,000 are students... imagination and creativity abound. The spectacular hills sandy beaches and the rugged volcanic outcrops are home to a fascinating array of wildlife. Dunedin boasts the world’s only mainland breeding colony of the Northern Royal albatross, and penguins and can be viewed in their natural habitat.   The Blue Mountains - Reserved as a recreational hunting area, the Blue Mountains are revered by deer and pig hunters around the world.   The Catlins - With your picnic lunch packed, spend the day exploring the rugged coastline and pristine bushland of the nearby Catlins. Dense podocarp rainforests of Matai, Rimu, Totara and Miro. Experience the extraordinary variety of native bird life including bellbirds, tuis, wood pigeons, fantails, gray warblers, yellow heads and kaka parrots. From the beaches you may spot the Hoiho, the yellow eyed penguin, and the equally rare Hectors dolphin.   The Vineyards - Follow the river upstream to the wine country. Short intense summers, winter chill and rocky soils, produce particularly vibrant pinot noirs attracting international acclaim. Travel the spectacular Clyde and Alexandra wine trail visiting vineyards nestled among rugged schist rock and historic gold rush landmarks. For more information on this venue please contact the Historic Venues team.