Miners camp back on

The cemetery is a landmark of the once thriving mining community of Macetown, near Arrowtown, which will be explored in a public event this weekend organised by the Department of Conservation. Photo by Stew Hardie.

The Department of Conservation (Doc) Wakatipu area office will host the rescheduled Macetown Miners camp on March 16 and 17, after high Arrow River levels forced the postponement of the original trip during the Gold 150 celebrations in October.

Doc Wakatipu community relations ranger Susie Geh said people could come for the day, or stay the night and come to the Macetown cemetery panel unveiling on Sunday morning.

A picket fence marked the cemetery, which contained three unknown graves, rediscovered by a government surveyor in 1976, and a fourth unknown grave found by the same surveyor using a ground-penetrating scanner in 2007.

Southern Explorer would lead the tag-along 4WD tour and the Shotover 4WD club kindly agreed to assist again, Miss Geh said.

''If you don't have a 4WD, they have spaces available and will take people along so everyone can join in. Bookings for this are still essential.''

Between 40 and 80 individuals were expected to participate, based on the 10 spaces booked with the club and the six parties who emailed Miss Geh to register interest. More people were welcome. Visitors to Macetown would be greeted with a cup of tea and a scone or damper.

The walks would be guided by historical Wakatipu authorities and suit varying abilities. Walks ranged from a tour around the former township to a venture further afield to the Homeward Bound Battery and Premier Mine sites.

''We are also really lucky that local legend and author Alan Hamilton has agreed to come for the day on Saturday,'' Miss Geh said.

''He will no doubt have some great stories to share and will know plenty of Macetown's history.''

The Wakatipu Heritage Trust will be hosting the Macetown Basket Auction on Saturday at lunchtime.

Participants were invited to give their home-baked goods, or preserves, in a ''basket'', although a box or shopping bag would do.

Voluntary auctioneer Austin Bragg, of Millbrook Property, would take bids for each basket amd whoever won the basket got to eat dinner with the supplier.

Proceeds from the auction would go towards the trust's restoration of Arrowtown jail.

Miss Geh said visitors would need to supply their own food, walking gear, insect repellent and camping gear for the weekend.

The 4WD convoy would depart the Arrowtown Chinese settlement for Macetown on Saturday, March 16, at 10am. It was free for those taking their own vehicle, or cost a $10 donation ($5 for children) towards fuel if travelling with the Shotover 4WD Club.

''We want to get people to explore the historical areas on their doorstep and get people in there who normally couldn't get access,'' Miss Geh said.

• Those who want to join in the Macetown expedition can call Miss Geh on (03) 442-8508.