Clyde Today
The modern town of Clyde could be described as a little town with a big heart. After the dam construction was finished, the population settled at just over 1300 people although people living on the Earnscleugh Flats, Mutton town, and Springvale areas consider Clyde to be their home town.
Until fairly recently Clyde was a sleepy hollow, a popular place to retire to for many people from Otago and Southland. It came alive in summer when a huge influx of holidaymakers – up to 5 thousand – descended upon the town. Many of them owned land or holiday homes in the area. But that is changing.
The impact of the rapid economic development in Central Otago during the past two or three years has seen a significant increase in the price of land and houses as well as large subdivisions and houses being built. There are a number of lifestyle blocks.
The major activities and industries in the district are pastoral farming, orcharding, viticulture, and hospitality.
Health Care : Dunstan Hospital, the major hospital for Central Otago, is based in Clyde and dates back to 1863. The aging hospital was upgraded and refurbished at a cost of several million dollars and was opened in November, 2005. Local GP’s (doctors) are based in Alexandra, ten minutes drive away.
Education : Clyde has a thriving Playcentre and a quality primary-intermediate school. A school bus provides a service to secondary schooling in Alexandra although some parents chose to send their children to boarding schools further afield.
Facilities : Two general stores, camping ground, community hall, library, and a Volunteer Fire Brigade. There is a thriving hospitality industry providing casual and fine dining and accommodation. There are several parks, walking tracks, one museum and one operating church, a masonic lodge (one of the town’s historic gems) and many beautiful gardens. Lake Dunstan provides swimming areas, barbecues and campervan sites. There are a number of new shops including art galleries and bicycle hire businesses.
Clubs/organisations : Sporting activities including indoor and outdoor bowls, rowing, rugby, tennis courts and a golf course. There is also a theatre group, music and singing groups and a friendship club.
Climate : Hot and dry in summer with temperatures easing into the 30-35 degree Celsius range. The spectacular autumn colours lead into very cold and frosty winters with snow on the surrounding mountains. Sometimes there are hoar frosts creating breathtaking scenery and bitter cold. The average rainfall is about 440mm a year.