Hampden, New Zealand
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Hampden is a small rural township in North Otago, New Zealand. It is located close to the North Otago coast, some 30 kilometres south of Oamaru, and 50 minutes north of Otago's capital, Dunedin. It was named after the English politician John Hampden. In 2004, the population was put at 304.
The town consists of a fire station, Fish and Chips shop, general store, motel and backpackers,The Hampden Lodge, service station and mechanics workshop, a small second hand goods shop, tavern, and a historic Town Hall.
Hampden is situated beside a broad bay stretching from Aorere Point to Moeraki Point, on a coastal plain which rises westward to the foothills of the Horse Range and the Kakanui Mountains. The soil of this surrounding plain overlies a limestone formation and is highly valued for agricultural production. Sheep farmingmainly, plus some [Deer,Cattle and two pig farms are the main primary rural economic activities of the region.
The streets of Hampden are laid out in a rectangular grid centred around the main highway and the railway. They are named after English locations, hence- Lancaster, Shrewsbury, Worcester, Norfolk etc.
The popular Moeraki Boulders, together with a small cafe and restaurant are located 2 kilometres south of Hampden.
There is some good surfing locally on the Kataki straight, as well as nice trout fishing in the local Wainakarua and Shag rivers. The local hills are popular for pig and deer hunting. Close by at Moeraki, deep sea fishing and diving are also very popular.
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