Romahapa has a small primary school, named Romahapa School. It was established in 1856 and is one of the oldest schools in
South Otago.[2] In mid-October 2006, it celebrated its 150th anniversary.[3]
Railway
On 15 December 1885, a
branch linerailway (the
Catlins Branch Line) from the
Main South Line in Balclutha was opened to Romahapa. The village became a railway terminus for a few years and a number of
bush tramways also operated in the area during the 1890s. Romahapa lost its terminal status on 7 July 1891 when an extension opened to
Glenomaru.[4] The railway line came to be known as the
Catlins River Branch and ultimately terminated in
Tahakopa; it serviced Romahapa until its closure on 27 February 1971. In the early 1900s, up to sixteen trains ran through Romahapa a week; these were predominantly
mixed trains.[5] Today, the Romahapa station's
goods shed remains in its old location, while the station building has been resited a few kilometres away, and the wooden railway bridge over the Romahapa Creek still stands.[6]
^Romahapa School,
"School Detail"Archived 25 May 2011 at the
Wayback Machine, accessed 27 November 2007. The title of oldest school in South Otago is also claimed by
Tokomairiro High School in
Milton, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in June 2006. The latter school has undergone several organisational changes during that time, however, notably from District High School to High School.