Maheno is known for its historic flour mill, Clark’s Mill, and another Heritage New Zealand site, Totara Estate. Clark’s Mill was once part of the wider Totara Estate and gives a realistic glimpse into what life would have been like
for farm workers during the 1800’s.
The original buildings have been restored to tell the stories of where the world’s meat exports began and is a fascinating example of
classic number 8 wire thinking*.
From Maheno, you can take a winding inland route to Livingstone, Danseys Pass or Duntroon. Alternatively, visitors can go out to the seaside town of Kakanui.
* “Number 8 wire thinking” is an expression used in New Zealand to explain how New Zealanders make do with the resources they have to make what they need. Number 8 wire is commonly used in farming around New Zealand and industrious farmers find many uses for this simple product.
An important industrial landmark in beautiful North Otago houses four-storeyed Clarks Mill – New Zealand’s only surviving water-powered flour mill with early machinery still substantially intact. It was built as part of Totara Estate in 1866.
New Zealand is said to be founded on the sheep’s back, and Totara Estate is central to this history. Situated south of Oamaru, the historic farm (originally 15,000 acres), was the birthplace of New Zealand’s billion dollar frozen meat industry.