It is about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) inland from Geraldine and is the gateway to the nearby Waihi and Orari River Gorges and the Four Peaks.

[3] The town enjoyed rapid growth in its early years and was home to a large general store, two butchers shops, a shoemaker, a creamery, a blacksmith and a two-storeyed wooden hotel, that would later blow down in a gale.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.4% had no religion, and 45.7% were Christian.

[10] A small wooden library built as a memorial to Eleanor Tripp is still run by locals today and doubles as a museum.

[11] The church was rebuilt by Oswald Scott and Bert Cooling using Norman styling and stones from the local river, it was completed in 1938.

[3] The interior of the church features stained glass windows made by Veronica Whall, Joseph Nuttgens and Stephen Bélanger-Taylor as well as carving by Frederick Gurnsey.