- Est. Median Value
- $900K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $200/wk
- Safety Score
- 91/100
- Green Space
- 3%
- Current Weather
- 0.7°C
- Median Age
- 46 yrs
~34 crimes/1k/yr
broken clouds
Living in Lauder
Lauder sits in the Manuherikia Valley where the Lauder Creek comes down from the Hawkdun Range, and it holds the Central Otago Rail Trail's most visited intermediate stop and a hotel that has been making the case for staying in the Manuherikia Valley since the gold rush. The Styx Hotel at Lauder operates with the philosophical confidence of a rural pub that understands its position on the only trail in the district, and the cyclists who pause here have generally been convinced by the terrain that a rest is appropriate.
Around 100 permanent residents occupy the valley blocks, orchards and farms around the crossroads, with the seasonal Rail Trail population adding a summer economy that the valley's farmers have adapted to with the pragmatism that Central Otago agriculture breeds. The stone fruit orchards on the terrace below the Hawkdun's face produce in the December-to-March window, with the roadside operations handling the marketing end.
The Manuherikia Valley here is wide enough to feel genuinely spacious: the Hawkdun Range above, the Raggedy Range opposite, and the braided river doing its flat-valley work on the alluvial floor. The Rail Trail between Lauder and Omakau is among the route's most scenically consistent sections.
Omakau's primary school is the local option; Ranfurly and Alexandra's secondaries serve the older students.
Is Lauder a good place to live?
Lauder is home to roughly 1,278 people across 42.2 km². On Suburb's overall livability scale, Lauder scores 44 out of 100, with a safety score of 91/100 and 3% green space.
Housing: The estimated median value is around $900K, and weekly rent typically sits around $200.
Lifestyle: Lauder has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. The current temperature is 0.7°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Lauder 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.
Map
Livability Breakdown
- Safety91
- Amenities10
- Schools0
- Housing Affordability42
- Green space10
- Community78
- Transport19
Some dimensions are still pending data: schoolQuality.
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $900K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $200/wk
- Median HH Income
- $81K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- +14.2%
- 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 Lauder?
- Lauder is in the Manuherikia Valley, Central Otago, on the Central Otago Rail Trail, around 10 km northeast of Omakau and 30 km north of Alexandra, below the Hawkdun Range.
- What is the Styx Hotel at Lauder?
- The Styx Hotel is Lauder's historic pub, a Central Otago Rail Trail landmark offering food, drink and accommodation, one of the valley's most reliably welcoming stops on the trail.
- What is the Rail Trail like near Lauder?
- The Central Otago Rail Trail between Lauder and Omakau follows the Manuherikia Valley through tussock and schist country, with the Hawkdun and Raggedy ranges framing the route.
- Is there fruit growing near Lauder?
- Stone fruit orchards on the Hawkdun-facing terraces near Lauder produce apricots and other Central Otago fruits in summer, with roadside stalls operating during the harvest season.
- How do I get from Omakau to Lauder?
- By bike on the Central Otago Rail Trail, around 10 km northeast. By car, around 10 minutes via the Manuherikia Road.
- What is the postcode for Lauder?
- The postcode for Lauder is 9377.
- What is the population of Lauder?
- Lauder has 1,278 residents, based on the 2023 Census.
Explore Lauder
Things to do(1)
Lauder Train Station
Parks & green spaces
Parks and reserves for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Healthcare
Pharmacies and clinics for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Eat & Drink in Lauder
Places to eat & drink(1)
Stationside Cafe
Stay in Lauder
Places to stay(2)
Lauder Hotel
Lauder Store Accommodation
Lauder Weather
Current conditions: 0.7°C, broken clouds
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 22.91 | 10.61 | 2.25 | 12.09 |
| ☀️ Feb | 21.92 | 9.99 | 2.49 | 11.93 |
| 🍂 Mar | 17.74 | 7.04 | 2.89 | 10.08 |
| 🍂 Apr | 15.58 | 5.6 | 2.55 | 8.18 |
| 🍂 May | 10.84 | 2.54 | 2.23 | 6.52 |
| ❄️ Jun | 7.56 | 0.23 | 1.45 | 5.58 |
| ❄️ Jul | 6.83 | -0.63 | 2.06 | 6.32 |
| ❄️ Aug | 9.06 | -0.32 | 1.76 | 8.11 |
| 🌸 Sep | 12.05 | 1.88 | 5.01 | 9.27 |
| 🌸 Oct | 14.39 | 3.69 | 4.09 | 10.57 |
| 🌸 Nov | 17.06 | 6.14 | 2.3 | 12.09 |
| ☀️ Dec | 21 | 9.92 | 3.18 | 12.24 |
Lauder Community
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