The Little Mining Town of Garston, NZ--Where Nothing Much Happens

We thought we'd carve out a quick post on a little town that we passed through on our drive between the towns of Te Anau and Queenstown. In some ways it's typical of the old mining towns of the lower South Island: Not much happens here, and not much ever happened here.

In fact, here's the towns own record of local events, posted just outside in a little outdoor exhibit near their public restrooms:


Take a look at the fifteen-year period between 1957 and 1972. Two events of note happened: they built a school and burned down a store. Seems like an interesting place to live, don't you think?

The Garston Hotel, currently closed.


One of the other buildings on the main road through town:


Finally, some information on the history of gold discovery and mining in the area: