Winton is one of the few Southland towns whose population has continued to increase in recent years. This is due, in part, to the drier, warmer, and calmer climate compared to the coastal areas. The climate in Winton is cool to moderate and has an average annual rainfall of approximately 1,000mm. The town was established in 1861 and named after Thomas Winton. In 1863, the Great North Road was cut from the bush, elevating Winton into more than just "a hole in the bush." It became an important stop, on the road to the gold fields. The countryside around Winton is recognised for its fine agricultural and pastoral possibilities. As such, Winton is probably the oldest inland town in Southland. Winton is a commercial centre that serves the diverse farming industry of Central Southland, which spans 1.5 million hectares of excellent farmland. Since 2000, land use has become more diversified, swinging from sheep to dairy farming. The Winton Golf Club is an 18-hole course that is considered to be one of the best in the area. The locals take good care of it, and it is in excellent condition on both the fairways and the greens. You'll receive a friendly Southland welcome here, but be prepared for some less friendly small greens that will keep you on your toes. It's a challenging course for young and old alike. The course is of championship quality and should not be overlooked when playing in the South.
 Cheers Graeme Carroll