Mitchells Cottage

Mitchells Cottage is a historic stone house in Central Otago’s Fruitlands district, built during the gold-mining era. 

Gold miner Andrew Mitchell began building the cottage in 1880 for his brother John and sister-in-law Jessie.

Using local schist stone and techniques learned from his father in the Shetland Islands, he created a solid, five-room home. The project took many years and was finally completed in 1904.

John and Jessie raised their family of ten children there. Andrew also planted trees (including holly and spruce that still grow today) and carved a sundial from solid schist.

Andrew and John Mitchell left the Shetland Islands as young men. Andrew first mined in Victoria, Australia, then followed relatives to Gabriel’s Gully in the 1860s.

When gold there declined, he moved north and found gold near Bald Hill Flat (later Fruitlands). In the mid-1870s he discovered a quartz reef and worked it with his cousin James White before selling the claim in 1884.

John joined him in 1886, and together they mined Obelisk Creek, building a water race to sluice their claim.

At its peak, Bald Hill Flat supported a store and hotel. Gold mining largely ended by 1907.

Many miners turned to farming or rabbiting. After World War I the government planted thousands of fruit trees for returned soldiers, giving the area its name “Fruitlands,” though most trees failed in the harsh climate.

The miners’ water races remain useful today for local orchards and farms.

The cottage and grounds became a historic reserve in 1980. Set among large schist tors, it offers fine views over the valley. Visitors can reach it by turning off State Highway 8 onto Symes Road, about 13 km south of Alexandra.