Ophir quaint old Goldmine town.

Ida Valley, Central Otago.MacTavish's Hut, a restored gold miners hut on the Ida Valley road.

Leaving Hayes Engineering our plan was to head to Alexandra via the delightful small settlement of Ophir. With a population now of only 50 most of the old original buildings still remain.

Ophir, Central Otago. An old gold mining town.Ophir, Central Otago. An old gold mining town. Originally called Blacks after it's founder.

Ophir originally held the record for New Zealands coldest temperature in 1995 of minus 21.6degC, but this has now been found to be incorrect.  In 2011it was discovered that in 1903 in nearby Ranfurly the temperature had dropped to minus 25.6degC.

Ophir, Central Otago. An old gold mining town. The old 1900's jail  next to the Police house.The 1870's Policemans house on the left next to the 1884 Courthouse.

It was obvious a lot of work had been done on restoring some of the old buildings, many of them vacant. Although there was one here that needs a little work, looks like they are having trouble on keeping the roof on.

The very dilapidated Drapery shop.

Our plan was to travel to Val McGraths property close to Alexandra, Val has a reputation for the 1st POP in New Zealand.