Clyde travel guide

Just 10 km west of Alexandra is the pretty and historic village of Clyde. Backed by the concrete edifice of the Clyde Dam, which incarcerates Lake Dunstan, it offers a pleasant stop on the way to Queenstown or Wanaka. Originally called Dunstan and the hub of the rich Dunstan Goldfields, it assumed its present name in the late 1860s. Clyde in Scottish Gaelic is Clutha – which is the river that once flowed freely through the Cromwell Gorge and is the longest in the South Island. Amidst Clyde’s very pleasant aesthetics are a number of historic old buildings including the Town Hall (1868), various pioneer cottages and a handful of its once 70 hotels. The Old Courthouse on Blyth Street is another fine example that was built in 1864. Sadly, the many interesting artefacts displayed inside, including the original courtroom dock, leg irons, handcuffs and a set of scales, are no longer open to the public. These scales, which no doubt were the focus of many an argument, are thought to have weighed over 70,000 ounces of gold. It is not surprising that during the gold boom, with so many hopefuls harbouring such a sense of greed, there were many disputes in the town. Perhaps the worst of these was the $26,000 gold and banknotes robbery that caused uproar in 1879.

Although perhaps a bit morbid, the cemetery in Clyde (Springvale Road) can be an interesting place for reflection. Having been in use since the 1850s, the headstones provide fascinating reading, particularly the ages, surnames and origins of the former settlers. Once you have enjoyed the atmosphere and historical aspects of the village, you might like to take the 30-minute walk to the Clyde Lookout hill (signposted) above the town and enjoy the views.