St Bathans is an hours drive from Cromwell and well worth a visit at any time of the year. Its most remarkable feature is the Blue Lake, created during goldmining days by the efforts of miners sluicing & dredging for gold. The stunning blue colour of the lake is caused by the mineral content of the surrounding cliffs.

The 120 mtr high hill that was the lake site, is now a 69 mtr deep hole, the deepest mining hole in the Southern Hemisphere.

St Bathans also boasts a small pub, which according to rumour, has a resident ghost! You will find a scattering of historic buildings & a little shop full of treasures from the past.

Be sure to put it on your list of places to visit in Central Otago.