Gabriels Gully Historic Reserve
Located in the Otago region
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Introduction
Fossick for recreational gold and explore the site of New Zealand's first major gold rush.You can only fossick for gold in designated areas. Only hand-held tools are allowed. More on gold fossicking areas and rules.
Image gallery
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Gabriel Read Memorial Image: Heritage NZ | Creative Commons
![Gabriel Read Memorial.]( "Gabriel Read Memorial.")
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Grays Dam picnic area Image: Shellie Evans ©
![Grays Dam picnic area.]( "Grays Dam picnic area.")
Find things to do and places to stay Gabriels Gully Historic Reserve
Gabriels Gully is 3 km from the township of Lawrence, 92 km south-west of Dunedin on SH8.
DOC manages Gabriel’s Gully in partnership with the community of Lawrence. There is a viewing platform overlooking the gully, 14 information panels and benches around the 3 km gravel walking track.
Dogs are on lead only.
Gabriel Read’s discovery of gold in an Otago valley in 1861 changed the course of New Zealand history. Gabriels Gully was the site of the first major gold find in Otago which led to the gold rushes of the early 1860s which transformed the province, making it the wealthiest in New Zealand.
You can visit the Gabriel Read Memorial and reflect on how the actions of one man changed the course of New Zealand’s history.
Interpretation panels provide insight into life on the early goldfields, and the changes to Gabriels Gully over the period of mining activity from 1861 until the 1930s.
The physical remains of the mining systems required for extracting the gold include water races, stamper batteries, hydraulic sluicing faces, and mine shafts.
Contacts
| DOC Customer Service Centre | |
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| Phone | 0800 275 362 |
| dunedinoffice@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | DOC offices |