From where?! I hear you ask. Lawrence is a tiny squeak of a town in Central Otago and only known to me because I have cousins there whom I have visited only once, age 17. Well not even there – they live even more remotely on a farm in the wop cacks and I remember needing hot water bottles on Christmas Eve, such is the chilly climate. However, it does stay light until about 10pm in summer so your barbecues can go on longer of an evening…
Sunset in Lawrence
But there is more to Lawrence than long evenings, this former goldrush town is no backwater boon dock today. It is on the forefront of WiFi technology and a few 5-star hotels could take a leaf or two. The town of Lawrence provides free internet access in the main CBD (don’t laugh) and cafes for you to Skype, email, and generally tell your friends and family about the marvellous time you are having in the Clutha region. AND if you go to the Visitor Centre (Tuapeka Lawrence Community Company, 17 Ross Place) you can make FREE phone calls to 44 countries from their internet phone.
Lawrence once had twice the population of Dunedin (at 11,500) during the heady days of the gold rush. Today it has 550 people who no doubt know all there is to know about each other and to find a spouse in Lawrence must be a hard road indeed. But like every decent rural community in New Zealand, there are events to lure locals and visitors with scones and jam. One can only hope that a pint or two will be downed at the Waitahuna Tuapeka West Collie Clubs prizegiving on July 23rd, and again at the Lawrence Rugby Club Cabaret on August 21st. But I’m most excited about the Lawrence Country Fair on November 7th.
However next year Lawrence celebrates its 150th celebrations from March 18 – 21 so if you’re doing a circuit of the South Island, drop in and enjoy the razzle dazzle.
Tags: Free internet, free phone calls, Lawrence, New Zealand
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