Didn’t Richard Cogar Bryant lead a remarkable life? Richard Cogar Bryant’s story begins in 1823 and culminates with his death on January 24, 1910. We are standing near a memorial to Richard Cogar Bryant. This location in One Mile Reserve, close to Lake Wakatipu, was chosen after an initial request to place it in the Queenstown Botanic Gardens was declined.
Richard Cogar Bryant arrived in Queenstown in 1861. Initially, he served as a policeman. Later, he took charge of the gold escort to Kingston. Soon after, he was appointed Lake Wakatipu harbour master.
Richard Cogar Bryant and his wife Mary became Kinloch’s first permanent residents. They built the Glacier Hotel, now Kinloch Lodge. In 1868, Richard Bryant, sought his fortune in gold. He had spent 20 years at sea. He started in Australia. He then switched from mining to law enforcement during the gold rush.
In 1862, he became a member of the Water Police in Dunedin. Later, he moved inland to Queenstown. There he met Mary Anne, who was 16 years younger. Richard was well-liked. He became the first harbour master for Lake Wakatipu. After starting a family, he pursued gold at the Shotover. After four years, he gave up and turned his attention to the head of the lake.
Kinloch Wilderness Retreat began as a tavern for sawmill workers. More buildings were added. It became a guest house as the number of visitors increased. The Glacier Hotel became known. It had a policy of closing the bar at 10 o’clock. It never sold enough alcohol to get a man drunk. Business increased when the railway from the South to Kingston was completed. The focus shifted to tourists arriving on steamships. The Bryants pioneered eco-tour guiding. They provided horses for guests and a supportive infrastructure. In the 1880s, they hosted between 132 and 245 guests each year. The Routeburn valley was the main attraction.
Two bush fires severely damaged the mountains behind Kinloch. Business declined. One fire occurred in 1887. Cattle thieves burning hides caused it. Another happened in 1895. A neighbor sleeping out while coaxing an unruly bull home caused it. The community’s quick action saved the main building both times. Tourism shifted to day trips. This was because of improved access and reduced fares. All spare linen was lost in a fire shortly after the second bush fire.
For a time, only tours were available. Tom Bryant, Richard’s son, used buggies to transport trampers to the Routeburn. In 1909, he bought back the lodge from the mortgagee. By 1911, it was thriving again. This was despite the lack of alcohol and awkward steamship schedules. Tom farmed, mustered, drove cattle, and worked as a blacksmith and vet. His wife Ivy made many decisions and cooked for hundreds.
Harry Bryant, Tom’s eldest son, continued the legacy. He motorized the tours. The first car was a touring-top Oakland. Harry bought it in 1929. He used it to learn to drive. He paid fees to steamships, built a hut by the Routeburn, and ferried locals. Within four years, there were three cars. His siblings were drivers. In 1937, he increased capacity with a Ford bus. It was designed for 18 but could fit 56. Harry joked that sheep on the steep hillsides had one leg longer. He was a popular guide.
Business peaked at 12000 people a year across six buses. Harry fixed his vehicles. This led to legal arguments. Harry also worked on road infrastructure and farmed. He taxied locals on his boat. Life was good until the Glenorchy-Queenstown road opened in 1962. This made steamships redundant, resulting in a large loss of custom. The last trip was during the 1969/70 season. The bridge over the Dart River in 1974 connected Kinloch by road.
Kinloch Wilderness Retreat fell into disrepair. It only opened for self-catering groups. In 2000, John and Toni Glover took ownership. They restored it. Today, the Heritage Lodge caters to travelers in a peaceful setting.
The Bryant family celebrated 150 years of living in the Wakatipu. They held a family reunion at Labour Weekend. Richard Cogar Bryant’s story reflects resilience and adaptation.