Drybread Cemetery

Located at the northern end of the Manuherikia Valley, near the township of Omakau, is the peaceful settlement of Drybread. Once a thriving gold mining settlement, there is very little evidence that remains except for its cemetery.

Sitting in solitude at the foot of the Dunstan Range and looking out over the Manuherikia Valley, Drybread Cemetery contains graves of early pioneers as well as later burials.

The first burial is recorded as Thomas Greenback who was buried in the cemetery after accidentally drowning aged 18 months, on 28 February 1870. Unmarked graves of Chinese gold miners are also thought to exist in the cemetery. However some, if not all, are thought to have been exhumed and returned to China as was custom.

Drybread Cemetery is not easily found, but is signposted off Glassford Road, approximately 1.5 kilometres east-northeast from the turn-off to Thomson Gorge Road. Access is through the Glassford farm.

This Cemetery is administered by the Drybread Cemetery Trust and is maintained by volunteers. Cemetery records and burials are all managed by the Trust.

Contact

Tony and Karen Glassford
Drybread Cemetery Trust
Phone (03) 447 3955