Skipper opens up gold field heritage
Skipper and guide Laurence van der Eb, of Clutha River Cruises in Otago, isn’t sure when his next day off will be.
The Alexandra businessman can be found daily on the Clutha River over the summer holidays taking tourists on heritage cruises, bringing the vibrant history of the region and gold mining era to life.
‘‘We visit Chinese and European gold mining huts and rock shelters along the river. It is real New Zealand history hidden down that gorge and it is untouched. The rock shelters and huts are all as is. They are original. My great passion is history of the gold fields. Here you can meet families or people connected so you get real stories. It’s living history. There is a big interest in it. About 80 per cent of my customers would be Kiwis, then UK, Australia and American. I would like to get more Chinese but they have not really discovered it yet.’’
The Alexandra man has been working for Clutha River Cruises for eight years, running it for the past five. As well as heritage cruises, a growing part of his operation is ferrying Roxburgh Gorge Trail cyclists between Doctors Point and Shingle Creek.
‘‘The first three years we ran at a loss running the ferry service. I don’t think there is another jet boat company that would only go with two people but we had to do it. Now the numbers are increasing and it’s starting to become viable and looking good for the future. So many people tell us it is the best trail in the country because it follows the river the whole way down.’’
Despite working over the summer holidays, the father of two loves his job.
‘‘It’s cool. It is always nice because everyone is on holiday and is buzzing. The season runs until about May and then I go to Spain during the winter season where I own a clothing shop and work.’’