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St Bathans was once a busy gold mining town dating back to the early 1860’s when gold was first  discovered.  It began life as canvas town but soon grew to a population of 1000 in 1864, supporting 40 businesses, 14 of which were hotels.  Today the town has six permanent residents.  Many buildings remain from the mining days Including the historic Vulcan Hotel, the Post Office, School ruins and churches for you to discover and explore.

The Vulcan Hotel was established in 1864 and is the only business still in operation from the mining days.  It occupied several buildings in St Bathans, each of them being lost to fires, before moving to it’s current site in the old Ballarat Hotel which was built in 1882.  The walls of this hotel boast many photographs of St Bathans in it’s heyday.

The two storied Kauri Post Office building was built in 1909, replacing an earlier cottage style Post Office on the same site.  Further displays of the old days can be seen here with original fixtures still in place.  It has had a varied life since the Post Office closed in 1937, including temporary use as a school and private residence.  It is now the home of St Bathans Gallery and Gift where you will find unique momentos and gifts to remind you of your time here.

The famous Blue Lake, popular in summer for swimming and water sports, was formed by mining activities, operating what was then the highest vertical hydraulic elevator in the world.  There are a number of walking and tramping tracks for you to enjoy while taking the amazing vista.  Relics of mining activities can be found along these tracks.

Make sure not to miss this special village while traveling through Central Otago, it is well worth the trip.