The hinterland of North Otago was divided up into large pastoral blocks in the mid 1850’s. The Otekaieke run number 28 between Otekaieke and Kurow streams was first licenced to S H Pike. Robert Campbell came into procession in 1861. Robert Campbell of Benmore was a dominating figure in the early days of North Otago and the doyen of the “sheep kings”. Educated in Eton, he came to NZ while still a youth under the tutelage of a man named Lowe who was for a time a partner in the Campbell Holdings. These holdings which incorporated 3 Benmore runs together with Lake Ohau and covered 210,000 acres. In 1877 the holdings carried 65,000 sheep.
After acquiring Otekaieke, much of which he eventually freeholded, he built a large an impressive stone mansion in 1876. There were 30 rooms equipped throughout with electric bells. He managed to increase his Otekaieke holding to about 85,000 acres Campbell was also very active both local and nationally, a member of parliament, first chairman of the Waitaki County Council, a member of the Senate of University of NZ, one of the first governor of Waitaki Boys High School and a number of other organisations including Agricultural & Pastoral Assn, Oamaru Harbour Board Hakataramea Railway Coy and Anglican Church. Campbell died in 1889 at the age of 46.
In 1908 the Estate was sold to NZ Education Board who used the complex as a special school for boys up until 1987. The school was closed in 1988 and the estate passed into private ownership.
From the road, a visitor can see still see the large castle building set in park like setting. There are also in excess of 30 separate houses and other school building from its earlier use.
The cache is a 400ml snaplock container.