Beaumont, New Zealand

Beaumont is a small town in inland Otago, in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located on the Clutha River / Mata-Au six kilometres southeast of Raes Junction, between Roxburgh and Balclutha. Beaumont is connected to Milton and Roxburgh by State Highway 8.[1]

Beaumont

Aerial photo of the Beaumont area in 2006, State Highway 8 crosses the Clutha River just below centre

Beaumont was named for Beaumont Burn, probably about 1857.[2]

For eleven years, Beaumont served as the terminus of a branch line railway that ran from a junction with the Main South Line at Milton. The railway reached Beaumont in 1914; an extension to Millers Flat was opened in 1925. The line was ultimately reached Roxburgh as the Roxburgh Branch, operating until 1968.[3] Relics of the railway still remain, including a stock yard and a bridge over the Beaumont River.