Hindon, New Zealand facts for kids
Hindon is a small, quiet place located in the middle of Otago, which is in the South Island of New Zealand. It's about 24 kilometers (15 miles) northwest of Dunedin. You can find Hindon nestled within the Silverpeaks mountain range, very close to the edge of an area called Strath Taieri. The famous Taieri Gorge Railway even passes right through Hindon as it travels between Dunedin and Middlemarch.
Discovering Hindon
Hindon got its name from John Hyde Harris. He was a leader in the area and owned land there. However, no one is quite sure where the name "Hindon" originally came from.
A Glimpse into Hindon's Past
Hindon became a very busy place during the later part of the Otago Gold Rush. Many mines were active here. Miners were looking for gold hidden inside quartz rocks, which are called reefs. There were several gold mines working in Hindon and a nearby place called Barewood.
The Gold Rush Boom
During the busiest time of the gold rush, Hindon was home to about 1,200 people! Imagine how lively it must have been with so many miners. But after the gold rush ended, the town became much smaller. Today, not much is left of the old mines. However, some old mine shafts that have sunk into the ground can still be found. Farmers in the area know to be careful around these spots.
Hindon Today
Today, Hindon is a much quieter place. Its population is around 70 people. This is a big change from when it was a bustling gold mining town. Even though it's small, it's still a part of the beautiful Otago landscape and a stop on the historic Taieri Gorge Railway.
