Adventurous Feline Journey: Fats the Cat Explores St Bathans

Traveling with pets can often present challenges, especially when it comes to cats. While many travelers are increasingly finding pet-friendly accommodations for dogs, bringing a cat along on a trip remains less common. Fats, a spirited cat with a penchant for comfort, recently embarked on a weekend getaway from Dunedin to the historical town of St Bathans, New Zealand, showcasing that adventure can indeed include feline companions.

Fats, a cat known for her laid-back nature and love for food, became an unexpected travel companion for her owner and housemate, Dan. The decision to include her in a milestone birthday celebration prompted a search for destinations within a few hours’ drive from Dunedin. St Bathans, a former gold mining town renowned for its stunning Blue Lake and rich history, quickly emerged as the perfect choice.

On arrival, the travelers booked a birthday lunch at the Vulcan Hotel, known as New Zealand’s most haunted pub. The scenic route via Middlemarch added to the adventure, and despite a minor clothing mishap, they reached their destination in high spirits. The hotel’s Room One is infamous among guests for reports of unexplained phenomena, but Fats and her companions opted for Room Two, chosen primarily for its spaciousness.

After enjoying a delightful meal featuring salmon and lamb, the group made their way to a charming cottage just 7 kilometers along the St Bathans Loop Road. Welcomed by Lorna, the host, they were pleased to find the environment pet-friendly. Fats quickly settled in, finding comfort by the fire, allowing her owners to explore the area without worry.

The following day, while Fats enjoyed a sun-drenched nap, Dan and his companion ventured out to uncover more of the region’s intriguing history. They stopped for lunch at the White Horse Hotel in Becks, where the publican shared fascinating stories about the town’s origins. An English surveyor initially named local pubs using Māori terms; however, in an effort to cater to European settlers, he replaced those names with animal references, giving rise to establishments like the White Horse.

Their exploration continued with a loop from Omakau to Oturehua, where they admired the historic stone post office in Ophir, still in operation since the 1880s. The bridge over the Manuherikia River served as a reminder of the region’s prosperous past during the gold rush era. A visit to the Art Deco-era Blacks Hotel in Becks introduced them to Daisy, a pug resident whose charm outshone that of many tourists.

In Oturehua, the duo explored the historic Oturehua Hotel and the iconic Gilchrist’s General Store, both of which are currently for sale. Gilchrist’s, a long-standing establishment dating back to the late 1800s, is filled with nostalgic items including jars of boiled sweets and a mini museum showcasing artifacts from Otago’s goldfield past. As one of the oldest continually operating general stores in New Zealand, it stands as a testament to the area’s enduring history.

The weekend concluded quietly, much like its beginning, with Fats cozily dozing by the fire at home. The journey underscored the discovery that adventure does not always mean traveling great distances. In the serene, historically rich corners of Central Otago, both people and their feline companions can find joy and exploration without straying too far from home.