Lawrence, in the Tuapeka District, was Otago's first gold-rush town.  At the height of the gold fever, its population was 11,500; double that of Dunedin, making it one of the largest communities in the country at the time.

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Today, with a population of around 470, Lawrence is a small but bustling community nestled in the beautiful surroundings of Clutha country.  The surrounding Tuapeka area has a population of approx 1,600 and includes smaller townships from Beaumont across to Waitahuna.  

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Lawrence sits on State Highway 8, the main route between Dunedin and Queenstown, and with a wonderful collection of cafes and shops is an ideal location to break your journey.