Nenthorn, Otago Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Nenthorn is 28km north-east of Middlemarch and 40km west of Waikouaiti.
In 1888 rabbiter William McMillan discovered loose pieces of gold-bearing quartz while exploring the area. A township soon sprang up, flourished for about 12 years then virtually disappeared. Today it's hard to believe that in the vicinity of the cache there were hotels, stores, banks, a dance hall, a post office and even a newspaper office (the Nenthorn Recorder). Close to the cache are the remains of an old stone building and at other points nearby can be found a few other remains of buildings and mining equipment.
The area is a historic reserve open to the public. A gate provides access at S45deg 28.437' E170deg 22.063'. The cache is only a short walk from the gate. There are hidden mineshafts in the area although I've never seen one (maybe because they're hidden?)
Nenthorn is marked on road maps. You can approach from two directions on well maintained gravel roads. Why not make a round trip of it.
The cache is a black-painted 1.2 litre snaplock with the usual notebook and trading items.
Interestingly, in September 2005 the Otago Daily Times reported that an exploration permit had been granted for a company to drill at Nenthorn to establish whether modern mining techniques would make it a viable mining prospect once again. Could Nenthorn be the next Macraes?
Additional Hints
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