- Est. Median Value
- $789K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $200/wk
- Safety Score
- 94/100
- Green Space
- 12%
- Current Weather
- 0.8°C
- Median Age
- 41 yrs
~31 crimes/1k/yr
overcast clouds
Living in Middlemarch
Middlemarch is the town at the Strath Taieri's centre, and it earns every syllable of that name. Around 250 people live here, in the broad flat valley between the Rock and Pillar Range and the Taieri Plain's upper reaches, and the town has two identities that it manages simultaneously with the equanimity of a place that has had time to think about it. The first is agricultural: the service centre for the Strath Taieri's sheep and cattle runs, with the showgrounds, the saleyards and the facilities that the surrounding high-country stations depend on.
The second identity is the Rail Trail: Middlemarch is the eastern terminus of the Otago Central Rail Trail, where cyclists from Clyde arrive after 150 km of Central Otago interior and where Dunedin cyclists begin their westward adventure with the specific confidence of people who haven't looked at the elevation profile yet. The Taieri Gorge Railway runs scenic excursions from Dunedin to Middlemarch through the dramatic Taieri Gorge, providing the scenic train experience that the region's geography makes possible and the tourism industry makes scheduled.
The Rock and Pillar Range rises directly above the town's western edge, with the Sutton Salt Lake's unusual saline ecology minutes away on the valley floor. Middlemarch School serves the local primary years; the secondary run to Palmerston is a commitment.
Is Middlemarch a good place to live?
Middlemarch is home to roughly 669 people across 747.4 km². On Suburb's overall livability scale, Middlemarch scores 62 out of 100, with a safety score of 94/100 and 12% green space.
Schools: Middlemarch has 6 schools in or near the suburb, spanning early-childhood through to secondary education. See the Schools tab below for the full list.
Housing: The estimated median value is around $789K, and weekly rent typically sits around $200.
Lifestyle: Middlemarch has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. Public transport stops are within easy reach. The current temperature is 0.8°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Middlemarch 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
- Safety94
- Amenities28
- Schools88
- Housing Affordability48
- Green space41
- Community100
- Transport10
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $789K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $200/wk
- Median HH Income
- $81K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- +0.5%
- 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 Middlemarch?
- Middlemarch is in the Strath Taieri, Central Otago, around 90 km northwest of Dunedin via the Taieri Gorge, at the eastern end of the Otago Central Rail Trail.
- What is the Otago Central Rail Trail?
- The Otago Central Rail Trail is a 150 km cycling and walking trail between Middlemarch and Clyde, following the old railway through the Central Otago interior over four days, one of New Zealand's most popular cycle trails.
- What is the Taieri Gorge Railway?
- The Taieri Gorge Railway runs scenic tourist trains from Dunedin to Middlemarch through the dramatic Taieri Gorge, operating as a heritage and scenic excursion service. Check the current timetable for seasonal departures.
- What is the Sutton Salt Lake?
- Sutton Salt Lake near Middlemarch is a shallow saline lake with unusual ecological communities adapted to salt conditions, a notable feature of the Strath Taieri's flat valley floor.
- How do I get from Dunedin to Middlemarch?
- By car, around 90 minutes via the Taieri Plain and State Highway 87. By train on the Taieri Gorge Railway for the scenic option. By bike, the Rail Trail connects to Dunedin via the gorge trail.
- Which schools are in zone for Middlemarch?
- Children living in Middlemarch are in zone for Dunedin Rudolf Steiner School, St Hildas Collegiate, Columba College, John McGlashan College, Liberton Christian School, Trinity Catholic College. Living in a school's home zone gives a guaranteed right to enrol.
- How do I check my school zone in Middlemarch?
- Use the School Zone Checker on this page. Enter your address to check your school zone and see which schools you have a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Schools & Enrolment Zones in Middlemarch
Schools in zone for Middlemarch
Children living in Middlemarch have a guaranteed right to enrol at these schools, based on Ministry of Education home zones.
Dunedin Rudolf Steiner School
Full Primary · roll 77 · decile 9
St Hildas Collegiate
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 463 · decile 10
Columba College
Composite · roll 609
John McGlashan College
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 527
Liberton Christian School
Full Primary · roll 133 · decile 7
Trinity Catholic College
Secondary (Year 7-15) · roll 872
Check your school zone
School Zone Checker
Enter your address to check your school zone in Middlemarch. School enrolment zones (home zones) decide which schools your child has a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Address matching is approximate and based on OpenStreetMap geocoding — confirm an exact result near a zone boundary directly with the school.
Explore Middlemarch
Things to do(5)
Remains of stone building
Old stone woolshed
Sutton Salt Lake
Middlemarch Railhead
Platypus (submarine)
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 Middlemarch
Places to eat & drink(4)
Cycle Surgery
STRATH TAIERI HOTEL
Kissing Gate Cafe
Emerson's restaurant
Tradies & Services in Middlemarch
Tradies & services(1)
Strath Taieri Automotive
Shops in Middlemarch
Shops(1)
Maggie's Dairy and Top Up Shop
Middlemarch Weather
Current conditions: 0.8°C, overcast clouds
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 17.96 | 7.64 | 59.07 | 10.58 |
| ☀️ Feb | 16.78 | 6.87 | 90.87 | 10.11 |
| 🍂 Mar | 14.5 | 5.47 | 69.2 | 8.8 |
| 🍂 Apr | 11.89 | 3.31 | 62.43 | 7.46 |
| 🍂 May | 8.16 | 1.34 | 63.37 | 5.68 |
| ❄️ Jun | 5.06 | -1.36 | 51.73 | 5.35 |
| ❄️ Jul | 3.5 | -1.83 | 107.77 | 4.73 |
| ❄️ Aug | 5.75 | -2.14 | 52.97 | 7.06 |
| 🌸 Sep | 8.67 | 0.11 | 76.97 | 8.08 |
| 🌸 Oct | 10.56 | 1.2 | 92.5 | 9.24 |
| 🌸 Nov | 13.47 | 3.94 | 66.13 | 10.29 |
| ☀️ Dec | 16.18 | 6.72 | 114.03 | 10.29 |
Middlemarch Community
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