Dansey’s Pass

Nestled in the heart of Central Otago, between Oamaru and Naseby, is Dansey’s Pass. Named after an early Central Otago farmer, Dansey’s Pass was originally used to explore the hidden reaches of the Maniototo. In 1862 a hotel was built in the pass to serve gold miners working in the Upper Kyeburn River. Today the Dansey’s Pass Coach Inn still stands, and is a world renowned Inn and heritage building.

Dansey’s Pass is a remnant of a time gone by, when the Central Otago area was being explored for gold. It passes through rolling farmland, which sprawls under the vast Maniototo sky - in an area known as “Big Sky Country”. This is a land where the golden tussock-coloured landscape resembles an oil painting, and people are few and far between.

Dansey’s Pass can be entered from either Naseby (in the south) or Duntroon (in the north). The unsealed road winds and twists along the hillsides, with beautiful views of the Maniototo in all directions. With a speed limit of around 40kms an hour in most places, allow 3 hours and 45 minutes to make the journey from Oamaru to Naseby.

Halfway through the Pass you will find the Dansey’s Pass Coach Inn. This exquisitely restored Inn is a great place to stop for a rest on your journey through Dansey’s Pass. Or, if you are planning to explore the area further, overnight stays are available. Restored to its original 1860s splendour, the Dansey’s Pass Coach Inn was built by locals in return for beer, and has been serving the goldminers, farmers and modern day tourists of Dansey’s pass for almost 150 years.

Close to the Dansey’s Pass Coach Inn you can explore the remnants of the Kyeburn Diggings. Gold was discovered here in 1861, and excavation continued up until 1920. The windfall of gold in the area meant that hotels, stores, bakers, a butcher and even a school were established in the area. By the 1930s gold mining had all but ceased here though, with the only remnant of the areas' former heyday being the Upper Kyeburn Cemetery.

ACTIVITIES: Activities in and around Dansey’s Pass revolve around the outdoors. You can try clay target shooting, mountain biking, gold panning or horse riding around the old mining areas. The Naseby & Maniototo area is also known for its Curling – the ancient Scottish winter-sport having been played there since the late 1800s.

Some of New Zealand’s best-kept fly fishing spots can also be found around Dansey’s Pass. Fishing trips can be organised through the Ranfurly Visitors Centre or Dansey’s Pass Coach Inn.

This Central Otago region is also a very popular tourist destination, thanks to the Central Otago Rail Trail. The Rail Trail is a year-long attraction, and is open to walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. The trail starts in Clyde and runs through to Middlemarch. The Naseby & Dansey’s Pass section is mid way through the trail.