Welcome
Established in 1867, the Lawrence Chinese Camp is the earliest and largest Chinese gold mining settlement in the region of Otago in New Zealand.
At its peak, in the late 1880’s, the Camp was a thriving trading hub catering to Chinese miners in the Tuapeka District of Otago and to those travelling through, and was home to over 120 residents.
The Camp is a category 1 New Zealand Heritage historic place with three original buildings remaining: the Empire Hotel, the stables and the Poon Fah Joss House.
Preservation and restoration of the heritage buildings is underway. There are plans to create museum spaces showcasing the history of Otago's Chinese gold-miners and visitors will soon experience the Camp of old through a virtual reality re-creation of the archeological site.
Situated just 1.2km outside the picturesque township of Lawrence, the camp is located along State Highway 8 and the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail.
Update
We have been eagerly waiting for this news and are pleased to share that we have gained building consent for the restoration work of two buildings at Lawrence Chinese Camp. Stage 1 work (water/waste/electrical trenching and installation) is underway and we are now fundraising for the Stage 2 construction work.
Thank you to Origin Consultants, Engineer Stephen MacKnight and Southern Plumbing and Heating for their work. Also to Clutha District Council for their funding contribution of building consent fees.
What's On
300 bricks needed
We are now seeking support from our communities to complete the construction work on the Chinese Empire Hotel and Stables. Restoration work is underway, having secured over $850,000 towards the $1. million needed to upgrade the buildings.
This is the most exciting phase to date as we are seeing physical changes to the camp buildings but we need our communities to assist the Trust to complete this work.
If you are able to help, please contribute.
Each $100 a brick will be used to complete this work and donors will be acknowledged at the completion of the the project
Click here to support
