Styx Creek facts for kids

Styx Creek is a small river found in the Central Otago area of New Zealand. It flows into the Taieri River in a valley close to Paerau. This spot is about 70 kilometers (43 miles) northwest of Dunedin.

What's in a Name?

The name Styx was given to this creek by John Turnbull Thomson. He was the chief surveyor for Otago from 1821 to 1884. He named it after the river in ancient Greek myths. In these stories, the Styx is one of five rivers that meet in the center of the Greek underworld.

A Stop on the Gold Trail

The area around Styx Creek, especially near Paerau, was once a very important place. It was part of the Old Dunstan Road, which was the most direct path from Dunedin to the goldfields of Central Otago in the 1800s. This trail crossed the Rock and Pillar Range and went down into the Upper Taieri area, where it crossed the Taieri River.

The Settlement of "The Styx"

The crossing point at Styx Creek was usually the second overnight stop for travelers coming from Dunedin. Because it was so important, two hotels were built there. They were on opposite sides of the river, just in case the river flooded. One of the hotels also had a stable and a small jailhouse nearby. This settlement was on a flat piece of land, surrounded on three sides by the river and on the fourth by a steep cliff. People started calling this whole area "The Styx."

Gold Escorts and Safe Storage

When gold was found in Central Otago, the government quickly took charge of moving the valuable metal safely to Dunedin. When they used the Old Dunstan Road, they often stopped overnight at Styx.

To help with this, a stone stable was built in the 1860s. It was used for the horses of the gold escort and other travelers who stayed at the Styx Hotel next door. The hotel even had a coin stuck in its bar. This was a fun nod to the myth of the Styx, where a coin was needed to pay the ferryman to cross the river to the underworld.

The stone jailhouse was also built in the 1860s. While it might have held a few travelers or local troublemakers, its main job was to store the gold overnight. The strongbox holding the gold was chained to the inside wall to keep it safe.

Why the Road Was Used Less

Over time, other routes opened up. These new roads were longer but could be used all year round. Also, the Otago Central Railway was built, making it easier to travel to places like Alexandria. Because of these new options, the Old Dunstan Road was used less and less, and fewer people stopped at the Styx crossing.

Today, the old stables, jailhouse, and hotels still stand as reminders of this important time in New Zealand's history.