Heritage

Farming has always been very important in the district - in fact, New Zealand’s first deer farm was established near Mossburn in 1972 - and in earlier times gold mining was also significant. The Northern Southland Heritage Trail is a great way to explore many sites of historic interest in the area. Railway was also an important aspect of Northern Southland’s past, and the old railway building, alongside the chassis of a steam locomotive, two diesel shunters, and three wagons, can still be viewed in the heart of Lumsden. Visit the Switzers Museum in Waikaia to gain an insight into early high country farming plus the area’s gold mining past and associated Chinese settlement.