Tarras is a small farming settlement in Central Otago, in the South Island of New Zealand.
Tarras is located on the slopes above the upper reaches of the Clutha Valley, on State Highway 8. It is the first village reached by travellers heading south through the Lindis Pass, and is close to the junction where travellers from Mount Cook turn west towards Hawea, Wanaka, and the Haast Pass.
Most farms in the Tarras district run sheep, principally merino sheep farmed for their super-fine wool. Some also raise other sheep breeds and deer. Since the introduction of large-scale irrigation from 2010, many farms are converting to beef cattle.
Vineyards have been established in the region since 2000, growing mainly pinot noir and riesling grapes. The Tarras vineyards are classified as being in the Bendigo sub-region.
Tarras is one of the driest areas in New Zealand, with annual rainfall of between 300 and 500 millimetres.
Tarras is popular toilet stop. Fortunately there is a new public toilet block just built near the school on the north side of the store.
The little village closes around 4pm but the cache should still be accessible 24/7 but we suggest to go during opening hours so you can visit the free museum dedicated to Shrek.
Shrek (27 November 1994 – 6 June 2011) was a Merino wether (castrated male sheep) belonging to Bendigo Station, a sheep station near Tarras, New Zealand, who gained international fame in 2004, after he avoided being caught and shorn for six years. Merinos are normally shorn annually, but Shrek apparently hid in caves, avoiding muster. He was named after the fictional ogre in books and films of the same name.[2]
After finally being caught on 15 April 2004, the wether was shorn by a professional in 20 minutes on 28 April. The shearing was broadcast on national television in New Zealand. His fleece contained enough wool to make 20 large men's suits, weighing 27 kg (60 lb) — an average Merino fleece weighs around 4.5 kg (9.9 lb), with exceptional weights up to around 15 kg (33 lb).
Shrek became a national icon. He was taken to parliament to meet the then-New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark, in May 2004, to celebrate his 10th birthday In November 2006, 30 months after his initial shearing. Shrek was shorn again, on an iceberg floating off the coast of Dunedin, New Zealand.
Shrek was euthanised on 6 June 2011 on the request of his owner after the animal had entered a convalescent state for three weeks. While treatment was available, it was cost intensive, and as such obviated. He was 16.
https://www.thedodo.com/wooly-sheep-hides-in-cave-1315578823.html