Outram, New Zealand

Outram
Rural settlement
Outram from the air
Coordinates: 45°51′30″S 170°13′50″E / 45.85833°S 170.23056°E / -45.85833; 170.23056
CountryNew Zealand
IslandSouth Island
RegionOtago
Territorial authorityDunedin
Community boardMosgiel-Taieri Community Board
Electorates
Government
  Territorial authorityDunedin City Council
  Regional councilOtago Regional Council
  Mayor of DunedinJules Radich
  Taieri MPIngrid Leary
  Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Area
  Total
1.05 km2 (0.41 sq mi)
Population
 (June 2024)
  Total
950
  Density900/km2 (2,300/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12 (NZST)
  Summer (DST)UTC+13 (NZDT)
Postcode
9019
Area code03
Local iwiNgāi Tahu

Outram is a rural suburb of Dunedin, New Zealand, with a population of 950 as of June 2024. It is located 28 kilometres west of the central city at the edge of the Taieri Plains, close to the foot of Maungatua. The Taieri River flows close to the southeast of the town. Outram lies on State Highway 87 between Mosgiel and Middlemarch.

The original town was formed at a river crossing (ferry then bridge) on a route to the Central Otago goldfields. The village was moved following a flood in the late 19th century and relocated to its current location and still has the town's library.

From 1877 until 1953, Outram was served by a branch line railway that connected with the Main South Line. This line was known as the Outram Branch and it had a relatively unremarkable career. Closure came as a result of an almost total absence of traffic caused by the development of road transport during the first half of the 20th century, and today, few remnants of the line are visible.

Outram's facilities include Outram Volunteer Fire Brigade, Outram Primary School, Outram Library, West Taieri Rugby Club, Church, Memorial Hall, Outram Hotel, a handful of retail outlets including a cafe and some antique shops. The West Taieri Cemetery is on the outskirts of the town. Outram is administered by Dunedin City Council, and has a reticulated water supply, but no reticulated sewerage.

Sir John Richardson named the town after Sir James Outram, a British general in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

The town was the setting and filming location for New Zealand's first non-documentary "talkie" film, 1935's Down on the Farm. The 1982 movie Shaker Run features a brief scene shot in the main street of Outram.