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Totara Estate - Historic Places Trust
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Attraction
- Oamaru
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More Information
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| Price: | Starting from NZ $7 per adult |
Totara Estate situated south of Oamaru is an historic site that is highly significant as the birthplace of New Zealand's billion dollar frozen meat industry.
History
Totara Estate was established during the 1850s and was known for its sheep, cattle and grain. It was purchased by the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, a Glasgow-based company in 1866.
Because of the downturn in wool prices during the 1870s, New Zealand pastoralists were extremely interested in the results of the first frozen meat shipment from Australia to Britain in 1880. Once this proved successful, W.S. Davidson, the general manager for the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, began to organise a similar venture from New Zealand.
He had a slaughterhouse built at Totara and sent the first shipment of meat from the estate to Port Chalmers in 1882. The meat was frozen onboard the ship 'Dunedin', which had a steam-powered Bell-Coleman refrigeration system installed, and the meat arrived successfully in Britain. By the end of the 1890s the export of frozen meat had become (and remains) of considerable importance economically, politically and socially, to New Zealand.
In 1980 the Totara Estate farm buildings were purchased by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust/Pouhere Taonga, with the assistance of a number of grants including one from the New Zealand Meat Board. The Trust restored the buildings during 1981-1982, creating displays (housed primarily in the former cookhouse) which illustrate the early history of Totara and the development of the frozen meat industry.
Step back in time to New Zealand's pioneer past and journey through the unique part of New Zealand's history that is Totara Estate. Explore the great Estate and experience along the way...
- an introductory video on the birth and development of New Zealand's meat industry
- a museum display covering Totara's grand estate days
- the talk of butchers working "on the line" in the 1880s
- significant archaeological remains
- early New Zealand sheep breeds
- a tribute to men of monumental vision on nearby Sebastopol Hill
Group Tours
Group tours may be arranged by contacting the staff at Totara Estate, ph/fax 03 434 7169 to arrange a convenient time. We would be delighted to work with you to develop a programme suited to the interests and ages of your group, and may be hands-on if you wish (within health and safety guidelines).
Demonstrations of heritage agricultural crafts and skills such as blacksmithing, blade shearing, wood turning, butter-making, spinning, & stone cutting may be arranged with prior notice.
Opening Hours
Summer Hours, November-April: 9.30am - 5pm daily (last admissions 4.30pm)
Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday
Daily Guided Tours 11am every day, in summer months
Adults $15, Child $5, Family $40 includes morning tea.
Winter Hours, May-October: 9.30am - 3.30pm daily
Admission
Adults: $7
Children/Students: $2
Family: $15
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Address
State Highway 1
8 kms south of Oamaru
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