In Ophir some of the locals wear “O-phir awesome” t-shirts, we like Ophir too. There are a surprising number of buildings that remain from the gold mining days.The smart Pitches Store is a top coffee spot and guests rate the attached accommodation highly.
![Pitches Store, Ophir](https://thecuriouskiwi.co.nz/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ophir-018a-1024x747.jpg)
Pitches Store, Ophir
![Pitches Store, Ophir](https://thecuriouskiwi.co.nz/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ophir-022a1-1024x739.jpg)
Pitches Store, Ophir
Ophir is a short detour from the Otago Rail Trail, other cute cottage accommodation options are Ryan’s Cottage and Cottages on Swindon B&B.
![Ryan's Cottage](https://thecuriouskiwi.co.nz/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ophir-017-1024x768.jpg)
Ryan’s Cottage
The Ophir Post Office was built in 1886 and still operates from 9am-12 noon Monday – Friday, unfortunately we visited out of hours so couldn’t see inside. Another unique place to post a letter is the tiny Chatto Creek Post Office nearby. The post office was closed in 1975, it was purchased for $20 and used as a sleepout in Alexandra for more than a decade before being found and returned home to Chatto Creek.
![Ophir Post Office](https://thecuriouskiwi.co.nz/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ophir-001-1024x768.jpg)
Ophir Post Office
![Chatto Creek Post Office](https://thecuriouskiwi.co.nz/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/chatto_creek-001-1024x768.jpg)
Chatto Creek Post Office
Other historic buildings in Ophir that can be visited include the jail, and the Union Church turned Ophir Thyme Collectables.
![Ophir Jail](https://thecuriouskiwi.co.nz/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ophir-020a-1024x834.jpg)
Ophir Jail
![Ophir Thyme Collectables](https://thecuriouskiwi.co.nz/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ophir-030a1-1024x834.jpg)
Ophir Thyme Collectables
Have you ever thought about upping sticks and moving out of the city to restore a country cottage? If so, Time to Smell the Roses – A New Life in Ophir tells the story of a move from Dunedin to Elm Cottage. I think it’s fair to say the author would describe it as an O-phir awesome new life.
![Elm Cottage](https://thecuriouskiwi.co.nz/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ophir-014a1-1024x615.jpg)
Elm Cottage