Lawrence, far from being complacent about its tourist potential, has begun looking at fresh ways to entice visitors there.
A forum was held in the town recently to help Lawrence capitalise on its strong points and look at new ways of enticing people passing through to stop and stay.
The Tuapeka-Lawrence Community Company organised the forum.
Local resident Nina Arron said the event was a good catalyst for ideas to be debated at more length by the community company at its annual meeting and beyond.
The forum outlined several potential tourist attractions and enterprises that could be introduced, such as guided tours of gold-rush areas.
Working out which ideas were viable was probably the most important decision, she said.
In its publicity, the company said Lawrence people needed to find new ways of getting passing motorists to stop.
"We know Lawrence is a great little town and that it is a lot more than a rest stop on the way to somewhere else."
Lawrence's "brilliant" location on State Highway 8 meant many people came straight to the town.
Visitor numbers, especially domestic figures, were up despite gloomy forecasts.
Those people, the company said, were looking for weekend and holiday destinations, which was where Lawrence could gain more visitors.
"All those people currently whizzing past our front doors on the way to somewhere else need to know that Lawrence can be that special place they are looking for."
