Central Otago is an incredible region of New Zealand, and Saint Bathans is no exception. A quaint town with a grand population of 11, Saint Bathans is a historic mining town laced with rich, gold rush heritage and stunning landscapes. A true step back in time.
Once home to approximately 2000 miners in the 1880s, Saint Bathans is now the best kept secret and tourist destination in New Zealand, with the old mining area now filled in with water creating a man-made lake, the historic and ever-so-slightly haunted Vulcan Hotel representing the best of what a historic pub should be, and the surrounding area that shows off the rugged and rural New Zealand- the kind you find on postcards.
We lived and worked in Saint Bathans, at the historic Vulcan Hotel. Initially only coming for two months, we extended our stay longer and longer, eventually extending our working holiday visa to stay living and working at this incredible pub. The people, the place, the landscapes and the way of life has got us hooked!
We left in February 2025 sadly as we couldn’t get sponsorship to stay here, so the next adventure was upon us then!
In this article, we introduce you to the incredible Saint Bathans, covering the gold rush history (briefly), The Vulcan Hotel, things to do in Saint Bathans, and a few fun facts about the area.
We totally recommend making the detour and coming to this time capsule of a place!
As people who work in the only surviving pub from the gold rush era, we know a lot about it as a lot of our small talk is reciting facts about it to tourists passing through.
Founded in the 1860s during New Zealand’s gold rush, Saint Bathans was once a bustling mining settlement and the area was known as Dunstan Creek. Gold miners flocked to the area to make their wealth during the 1860when it saw a decade of hard, hydraulic mining occur.
Today, it’s a tranquil village that preserves its heritage through well-maintained buildings, including its iconic mud-brick structures. The historic vibe is palpable as you stroll along its quiet streets, where time seems to have stood still.
The most striking reminder of Saint Bathans’ gold rush era is the Blue Lake, an artificial lake formed by mining activity. Once a deep mining pit, it was filled with water after mining ceased, leaving behind a surreal turquoise lake surrounded by steep, clay cliffs. It’s a photographer’s dream and an ideal spot for a relaxing picnic or a short walk.
One of our favourite facts about the Blue Lake is that the total height mined from top to bottom is approximately 120 metres. With the Blue Lake being 60-70m deep in places, that means that there was a hill that sat on top of the lake once, measuring 50-60 metres tall.
For more information on how the gold in the Blue Lake got there, this geology article by the University of Otago will help!
Things to do in Saint Bathans
The Vulcan Hotel: A Must Visit, Historic Central Otago Pub
No visit to Saint Bathans would be complete without stepping into The Vulcan Hotel, one of the town’s most famous landmarks. It is also a pub that we are employed by- and we absolutely love it!
Built in 1869, this historic pub is a testament to the town’s golden era. Back in the day, The Vulcan Hotel was one of 13 pubs in Saint Bathans and has seen many a good time since.
With a charming façade, rustic woodwork and vintage signage, we welcome visitors looking for hearty meals, cold drinks, or a cozy place to stay.
But The Vulcan Hotel is more than just a place to eat or sleep—it’s also rumoured to be haunted. Local legends say that Rosie the Ghost lingers on to this day. There are multiple stories of why she haunts the place, from being murdered to dying of heart break. But one thing is for sure, there certainly are periods of time where objects aren’t where we left them or odd sounds happening in the night...
At The Vulcan Hotel, we helped create a warm and inviting environment, welcoming people from all demographics. Our chef is awesome and loves what he does, meaning that the meals are fantastic! Below is The Vulcan Hotel Menu for summer 2024/25.
During warm weather and the summer months, the Vulcan Hotel’s beer garden is absolutely the place to be. It is simply beautiful. With games and toys for the family to enjoy, jugs of tap beer and local wines, with the Blue Lake just around the corner this truly is an epic, Central Otago spot.
Hike Around or Swim In The Blue Lake
The Blue Lake is the tourist attraction in Saint Bathans. A stunning swimming spot nestled in the beautiful Central Otago landscape, people travel far and wide to come swimming in the Blue Lake over summer.
You can hike around the lake too, which does give some impressive views of this tiny little town and beyond.
There are two tracks that are both great walks: a short one and a long one. The short one doesn’t actually go around the Blue Lake, but it is still a great substitute for those who want to walk and take in the scenery. This is approximately 1.5km and takes about half an hour.
The big loop, or the Kildare Track as it is officially called, takes you on a rugged adventure around the entire lake. There are some areas which are tricky, so we would recommend sturdy shoes. This loop takes around 60-90 minutes and is around 3km.
Here is the official DOC Blue Lake Track page.
The Gold Office: A beautifully quaint, locally supported trinket store
When in Saint Bathans, visiting the Gold Office is a must. Here you will find an epic reflection of those who live in the area because all of the products are made by people within the community. By purchasing one of the products here, you are directly supporting (and having been a local here, we know it happens) a local artist or creative who made the handmade, knitted cardigan or funky glass for your evening whisky!
You will also be greeted by Mandy, the incredible lady who runs it. She is extremely knowledgeable about Saint Bathans and its history and has such great energy about her.
Opening hours for The Gold Office do fluctuate (Saint Bathans is a super relaxed town!), but it is generally open Wednesday- Sunday 10am-4pm.
The Post Office: Where the old and the new meets
The Saint Bathans post office is located at the top of town, just a bit further up the hill from The Vulcan Hotel and The Gold Office. Inside, you will find remnants of the rich Saint Bathans history of gold mining, with stories.
The local community are extremely passionate about turning The Post Office into a museum and need approval from DOC. If you enter in here, please write a note in the guest book to show just how many people do pass through this historic building.
Visit The Happy Coconut: A Fresh Fruit Ice Cream Van
The Happy Coconut is a fresh fruit ice cream van that uses fruit grown in Central Otago- and it is delicious! Run by a lovely local couple called Caro & Gill, it is one of the newest (and most fun) additions to Saint Bathans.
You can find The Happy Coconut in/ around the Vulcan Hotel car park.
You may also see The Happy Coconut elsewhere in Central Otago as Caro & Gill attend festivals.
We can assure you that it is perfect for those hot summer days spent by the lake, basking in the glorious Saint Bathans sun.
Check out their Instagram and Facebook!
Saint Bathans Accommodation
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Read MoreWhere is Saint Bathans? How to get there
Saint Bathans is found on a loop road, meaning that there are only a few roads to the town. Whichever direction you travel to Saint Bathans from, it is stunning. The landscape here is totally unique and extremely beautiful.
From Dunedin: 2 hours
Leave Dunedin along State Highway 1 heading towards Palmerston. Then follow State Highway 85, otherwise known as the Pigroot, until you get near a place called Oturehua. You will then see a sign for Saint Bathans, the Blue Lake and The Vulcan Hotel which will take you down a gravel track for 10km.
From Queenstown: 2 hours
Head out of Queenstown and follow the signs towards Cromwell, passing through the Gibbston Valley. From Cromwell, leave the town via the bridge and follow the stunning Lake Dunstan towards Alexandra. Pick up State Highway 85, passing through Chatto Creek and Omakau, until seeing the turn off for Saint Bathans. This is a 17km road that takes you straight there.
Thank you for reading this article, we hope it helps you explore New Zealand!