Thread: Historic 4-bunker near Fairlie ?

Had something appear in my FB feed this morning about a historic 4-bunk hut near Fairlie. Now the bloody item seems to have disappeared...

Hints:

looked like zinc sheet covering on the outside
i think the post mentioned something like a 2.5 hour walk

And idea ?

And here I was thinking it was might be some subterranean war relic. Damn.

Painted green? Think that would be Spurs Hut, North Opuha block. Ice box, I’m told. Few animals around at times though..

And just for Ryan.. a few minutes south of Fairlie on a small side road, (Mcleans road) but partially visible from the main road, are a series of bunkers partially dug into the hilllside. I’m told these were WW2 ammo storage bunkers. May or may not be accurate..
They’re quite visible on satellite photos though, so have a nosey yourself.

Thanks @StrikerNZ Had a look at some google images and that's the one.

Originally Posted by StrikerNZ

Painted green? Think that would be Spurs Hut, North Opuha block. Ice box, I’m told. Few animals around at times though..

And just for Ryan.. a few minutes south of Fairlie on a small side road, (Mcleans road) but partially visible from the main road, are a series of bunkers partially dug into the hilllside. I’m told these were WW2 ammo storage bunkers. May or may not be accurate..
They’re quite visible on satellite photos though, so have a nosey yourself.

I meant to respond a lot earlier but work overtook me. So there are, what appear to me, to be munitions bunkers. I do enjoy a bit a of welcome coincidence!

the old north opuha hut got shifted out to roadend and a new one built in its place I belive......is that the same one Striker???

I recall visiting the bunkers there in about 1981/82 with 31B Battery, 3rd Field Regiment and I think we loaded 105 ammo there (but it was a long time ago . . . )

Originally Posted by Tentman

I recall visiting the bunkers there in about 1981/82 with 31B Battery, 3rd Field Regiment and I think we loaded 105 ammo there (but it was a long time ago . . . )

The Fairlie Ammunition Depot was shut down in the late 1980's. I won the tender for the remaining stocks of .303 ammo (286,000 rounds, bandolier packed, CAC 1954).

Originally Posted by gundoc

The Fairlie Ammunition Depot was shut down in the late 1980's. I won the tender for the remaining stocks of .303 ammo (286,000 rounds, bandolier packed, CAC 1954).

ah the golden years... I missed em but enjoy hearing about it.

I love hearing about history like that around the country, that’s still visible and has a story behind it, next time I’m down south I’m going to drive down that road and have a look from the road side. Cool little place fairlie too.

Anyone been in here recently? Might head in this weekend for a look.

Originally Posted by Tentman

I recall visiting the bunkers there in about 1981/82 with 31B Battery, 3rd Field Regiment and I think we loaded 105 ammo there (but it was a long time ago . . . )

You must have just stopped using 25 pounders a year or 2 before that. I remember a lSP about 78 or 9 where 3 medium were using 5.5 inch WW2 field guns and the south island battery had 25 pounders. We had the L5a5 105s it was interesting to crew on the 5 5s. We never got to rotate to the 25s sadly.

spur hut in north opuha is DEFINATELY COLDER THAN FROGS TIT this time of year...and firewood is a long way away and vary scarce indeed. two bunks,sleeps 4 ,2 up 2 down went to it two years ago in late May.....froze.

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

You must have just stopped using 25 pounders a year or 2 before that. I remember a lSP about 78 or 9 where 3 medium were using 5.5 inch WW2 field guns and the south island battery had 25 pounders. We had the L5a5 105s it was interesting to crew on the 5 5s. We never got to rotate to the 25s sadly.

Sadly the 25 pounders were long gone when I started, we had M101A1s. Still a bunch of fun particularly in anti tank mode . . .

Signs at the carpark are very confusing. Farmer has "private land, no access" notices everywhere. I talked to the doc office about it and it's all good to walk to the hut along the easement if you follow the true left of the riverbed.