- Est. Median Value
- $487K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $200/wk
- Safety Score
- 85/100
- Green Space
- 55%
- Current Weather
- 2.5°C
- Median Age
- 46 yrs
~40 crimes/1k/yr
scattered clouds
Living in Danseys Pass
Danseys Pass is one of the South Island's most satisfying drives and one of the few passes that rewards taking the long way around. The coach road over the Kakanui Range between the Waitaki Valley and the Maniototo climbs to 935 metres through the limestone and schist country that the pass has been threading since the gold rush era, when the route connected Oamaru's port to the Central Otago diggings before the railway made the conversation shorter.
The Danseys Pass Hotel, which has been operating at the pass since 1862, is the journey's midpoint and the feature most conversations about the route return to: a stone and timber building that has changed its service offering considerably less than the surrounding landscape has changed its farming economics, and that continues to provide accommodation and meals to travellers who have earned the hospitality by surviving the access road.
The pass road is unsealed, narrow in sections, and magnificent throughout. The Kakanui Range's tussock and schist country at the top provides views across both the Waitaki Valley and the Maniototo, a geographical dividend that the gradient charges for at the rate of about 30 minutes of committed driving each way.
Duntroon and Naseby mark the two ends; neither accepts any responsibility for the road between them.
Is Danseys Pass a good place to live?
Danseys Pass is home to roughly 993 people across 99.1 km². On Suburb's overall livability scale, Danseys Pass scores 58 out of 100, with a safety score of 85/100 and 55% green space.
Housing: The estimated median value is around $487K, and weekly rent typically sits around $200.
Lifestyle: The current temperature is 2.5°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Danseys Pass is right for you depends on what you’re looking for. Use the data and community tips below to decide if it suits your lifestyle, family and budget.
Livability Breakdown
- Safety85
- Amenities22
- Schools0
- Housing Affordability77
- Green space100
- Community44
- Transport19
Some dimensions are still pending data: schoolQuality.
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $487K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $200/wk
- Median HH Income
- $72K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- +0.6%
- Data Year
- 2023
Key Financial Indicators (NZD)
† Est. Median Value is suburb.co.nz's own estimate, modelled from available public data. We aim for accuracy, but where data is limited, estimates may be imprecise.
Nearby Suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Danseys Pass?
- Danseys Pass crosses the Kakanui Range at 935 metres between the Waitaki Valley (near Duntroon) and the Maniototo (near Naseby) in Central Otago, via an unsealed coach road.
- What is the Danseys Pass Hotel?
- The Danseys Pass Hotel has operated at the summit since 1862, providing accommodation and meals in the original stone and timber building, one of Central Otago's most atmospheric heritage pubs.
- Is the Danseys Pass road suitable for all vehicles?
- The Danseys Pass road is unsealed and narrow in sections, suitable for cars and 4WDs but requiring care on the tighter corners. Check conditions before travelling and allow 45 to 60 minutes each way.
- What are the views like from Danseys Pass?
- The summit area has views across both the Waitaki Valley to the north and the Maniototo's flat tussock plains to the south, with the Kakanui Range's tussock and schist character throughout the climb.
- How do I get to Danseys Pass?
- From the Waitaki side, via the Maerewhenua Valley road from Duntroon. From the Maniototo side, via Naseby. Both approaches are mostly unsealed; allow extra time and carry water.
- What is the postcode for Danseys Pass?
- The postcode for Danseys Pass is 9494.
- What is the population of Danseys Pass?
- Danseys Pass has 993 residents, based on the 2023 Census.
Danseys Pass Weather
Current conditions: 2.5°C, scattered clouds
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 18.52 | 9.38 | 2.92 | 11.19 |
| ☀️ Feb | 18.43 | 8.69 | 2.42 | 11.05 |
| 🍂 Mar | 16.01 | 6.61 | 3.72 | 9.43 |
| 🍂 Apr | 13.97 | 5.17 | 2.87 | 8.19 |
| 🍂 May | 10.16 | 2.93 | 1.4 | 6.75 |
| ❄️ Jun | 7.96 | 2.05 | 2.09 | 5.84 |
| ❄️ Jul | 7.33 | 1.03 | 1.91 | 6.63 |
| ❄️ Aug | 8.65 | 0.17 | 1.39 | 8.26 |
| 🌸 Sep | 11.66 | 1.96 | 3.8 | 9.38 |
| 🌸 Oct | 13.36 | 3.54 | 4.36 | 10.59 |
| 🌸 Nov | 15.05 | 5.46 | 4.12 | 11.17 |
| ☀️ Dec | 17.64 | 8.25 | 6.27 | 10.54 |
Danseys Pass Community
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