The discovery of gold in Otago in 1861 accelerated Dunedin’s growth, and it became the country’s largest set­tlement. In short order, the peninsula’s forests were felled to provide timber for the young city’s houses and build­ings. Large quantities of matai and rimu were milled, espe­cially around Sandymount and Cape Saunders. There was no road along the peninsula until 1877, so transportation of timber—and all other human contact—was by boat. Even places close to the base of the peninsula, such as Glenfalloch and Macandrew Bay were served by water traffic only.