Arrowtown in Queenstown-Lakes District, Otago Region, New Zealand — Southwestern Pacific Ocean

The Manure Room

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, December 21, 2025

1. The Manure Room Marker, Side One

Inscription. In 1918 Australia was in the throes of two equally problematic bans - alcohol consumption and manure exporting. Facing a crippling manure shortage, traders halted sales to their kiwi neighbours. So, William began stockpiling his own. New Zealand too was wrestling with alcohol prohibition. But William knew the pungent aroma emanating from his manure shed would turn away even the most diligent inspector faster than you could say "hidden speakeasy". While delicious wine still flows freely, both stench and prohibition are long gone.

As a cereal crop farm, Ayrburn needed lots of storage. This now restored heritage shed is one of the original buildings from the region, dating back to 1856. Farm wagon storage would have been common but the scale of this cart shed and the fact that it remains makes it extremely special. The back walls weren't designed as retaining walls initially, so it wasn't long before these bowed considerably. The front posts were also left to rot, letting, the roof spread and sag. The beauty of the beech tree shingle roof is a heavy load!

Erected by Ayrburn.

Topics. This

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historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 44° 57.406′ S, 168° 48.751′ E. Marker is in Arrowtown, Otago Region, in Queenstown-Lakes District. It is on Ayr Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Ayr Avenue, Arrowtown, Otago Region 9371, New Zealand. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

in Australasia,

in Polynesia,

in the Pacific Ocean,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 16 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Hayloft (within shouting distance of this marker); The Dairy (within shouting distance of this marker); Invited but Unwelcome (approx. 2.5 kilometers away); Welcome to the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement (approx. 2.5 kilometers away); The Mary Cotter Tree (approx. 2.6 kilometers away); Bank of New Zealand (approx. 2.6 kilometers away); Crown Range Summit (approx. 10.7 kilometers away);

The Manure Room Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, December 21, 2025

2. The Manure Room Marker, Side Two

New Zealand Moa (Dinomithiformes) (approx. 14.8 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arrowtown.

More about this marker. This marker is on the current site of a food and wine venue.

Building with the Manure Room Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, December 21, 2025

3. Building with the Manure Room Marker

Other end of building, with Manure Room Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, December 21, 2025

4. Other end of building, with Manure Room Marker

Waterfalls on the grounds. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, December 21, 2025

5. Waterfalls on the grounds.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 78 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 21, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.