Five Rivers

The Five Rivers Plain, surrounded by numerous peaks and mountain ranges, is the catchment base for the five rivers: Irthing, Cromel, Acton, Oswald, and Dilston, named in the 18th Century by the chief surveyor for Otago, J.T. Thomson from rivers back in his home county of Northumberland.
These rivers in turn feed the Oreti River, which begins its own journey in the Eyre Mountains before discharging into the New River estuary near Invercargill.

Of interest:

Five Rivers district is home to a Gliding Club, an Ostrich Farm and Peony Garden. Five Rivers is also the turning point for traffic passing on its way to Te Anau and Milford/Doubtful Sounds.

What to do in Five Rivers

Five Rivers is a very good location for  fishing enthusiasts, intent on a bit of peace and quiet, to enjoy their sport. Also available in Five Rivers is the opportunity to go gliding and to see some very spectacular Southland scenery or make relaxing visit to The Peony Gardens.  The gardens are situated 7km off SH6 on Ellis Road.  Visitors are welcome to come to the gardens to view the peonies in flower during November and December (Saturday and Sunday 10 AM- 5 PM, weekdays by prior arrangement).The gardens have on display over 120 varieties of herbaceous peonies and many varieties of tree peonies.  Information on the Peony Gardens can be obtained on www.thepeonygardens.co.nz.

Roadside Cairns

The first is at Lowther and marks the site of the battle of Waitaiamea, between the Ngatimamoe and Ngaitahu tribes in 1725. The battle ended when Ngatimamoe's chief Makohu slew Ngaitahu's chief, Kaweriri by mistake and fled for West Dome, where he eluded his pursuers in fog.

The second cairn, at Domes Pass, marks the site of the Jolly Wagoners Hotel. The memorium also commemorates four "unknown pioneers" as "somebody's loved ones". The four are presumed to be: Margaret Smith (drowned in 1866 when a coach overturned in Fryer's Creek); a cook who dies of wounds; a miner from Nokomai; and James Carron, who thought tutu berries were harmless, ate them, and consequently died of poisoning.

The Peony Gardens 

Catalogues and color booklets available from Carol Ruddenklau, Lintley, 4 R D, Lumsden,  Phone: 03 248- 7468,  Website: www.thepeonygardens.co.nz.

Southland Gliding Club

The Southland Gliding Club is situated at Mr W. Rouse's property at Five Rivers, Northern Southland. The club has three gliders: one Twin Astin for training new pilots and two single seat gliders for qualified pilots. There is also a privately-owned Twin Astin. The club uses a winch to launch the gliders into the air, but may soon have the use of a tow plane. The highest a glider has been from Five Rivers is 30,000 ft (9000 m). The club takes trial instruction flights by qualified instructors.

Contact numbers:

Matt Menlove: (03) 248 8516
George Taylor: (03) 248 6086