A dominant feature at the Clyde end of the trail isNew Zealands third largest hydro-dam, the Clyde Dam. But plans on trips like these are fluid at best and I was happy to scale this one back as I had company! This section follows the sealed road in places, and shares the Clyde road bridge before climbing up towards the Clyde Heritage Precinct. The trail crosses farmland and areas of subalpine tussock, passing close to Loganburn Reservoir, formerly the Great Moss Swamp.[1]. Somehow departing from the trail-proper for the last little bit, that didnt matter we ended up on the correct road and then had to look for the next turn off the road. Oddly, for Central Otago, we rarely spotted rabbits; they must have felt vibrations from the horses hooves well in advance of our arrival. This section includes the first of the bluff bridges, and you will cycle at the base of the stonework faces of the Cairnmuir slide, a unique feature high on the slopes above the lake. Old Dunstan Road is the name of a 4x4 track/Adventure riding track located in Otago South Island of New Zealand. Other nearby towns with cycling trails on tap include Alexandra, Wnaka and Queenstown. Take the time to listen and understand other peoples opinions and cultural differences. fascinating pioneer & gold mining history, the 86m-long, 29m-high Hugo suspension bridge, Clyde Dam New Zealand's largest concrete hydro-dam, two charming heritage towns Cromwell and Clyde, floating cafe and burger bar on the trail. In fact, there were three ways prospectors could get to the Dunstan. It looks a wonderful spot to simply explore the many rocks and land around. This mountain bike primary trail can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating with a 2,202 m blue climb. Close to Halfway Hut you will find a short switch back section with tight corners and a good climb / descent. After an exhilarating downhill, the trails reaches the impressive Hugo suspension bridge, 85.5m long and 28.6m high. Cellphone coverage is pretty reliable the whole length of the trail. The road, also known as The Dunstan Trail, ranges from a sealed road to a graveled track. The third,and most direct, route was known as the Mountain Track. (Lake Dunstan has now buried this orchard road forever.). There's numerous explanation boards detailing the history of settlement, and the construction of the Dam. Later horticulture and pastoral farming became features of the landscape. Grade 1. Getting out the gully requires the trails biggest climb 130 vertical metres up the aptly named Cairnmuir Ladder. Riders should be capable of riding the full distance, and be confident biking off-road on grade 3 (intermediate) trails. Known at the time as "The Mountain Track", it was a dangerous route which claimed numerous lives. Reflection of Lammermoor Range in Still Water of Logan Burn Reservoir Not far from the rowing club is Burton Creek Recreation Area, a pretty campground with million-dollar views of the lake and Clyde Dam. Can be ridden in both directions. An extremely quiet area to escape to, Adele was eyeing it up for future breaks. Old Dunstan Road, Clarks Junction; Galloway Flat Old Dunstan Road approaching the Poolburn Dam, Rough Ridge, from the north-east. Theres no shame in that, and youll increase your chances of spotting the pick-axe stuck in the rock wall. After 3 km, this track meets up with the Old Dunstan Road. Skippers Canyon 4WD Tour from Queenstown 41 Recommended Half-day Tours from $184.62 per adult Wild Hills Off Road Safari 80 Recommended Half-day Tours from $259.00 per adult Mt Cook Tour & Heli Hike Combo from Queenstown 13 Recommended Bus Tours from $925.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Te Kinga Aroha (Former) has special significance as a very rare surviving twentieth century hostel which was dedicated to accommodating and supporting young Mori women. Dunstan Trail | Kennett Brothers. It is rutted in places, slippery when wet, dusty when dry and can be closed in winter by snow and ice. Peter and Sophie from Cycling in New Zealand, Lindis Loop 23 Cluden Creek to Longslip Creek, Lindis Loop 23 to the headwaters via Dromedary Hill, A40BPT4 Lyell to Mokihinui (Old Ghost Road), A40BPT3 Westport to Lyell via Denniston, A40BPT2 Ces Clark hut to Westport (Paparoa), A40BPT1 Hokitika to Ces Clark hut (Paparoa). As I loaded my little borrowed mare into the horsefloat I took a last look back towards the mountains and wondered when another opportunity to experience history so vividlywould present itself. Crowding in for a not-really-a-summit selfie, and trying to get the bikes in too. With the wind at our backs and views like this, it was rather pleasant. With trout released its a popular fishing spot although one would go slow in a boat as there are so many rocks around. Reflective of the development of sports and recreation amenities in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Grandstand is closely connected to the history of club rugby. A journey by horse along the old Dunstan Trail. We cycled in Central Otago but never did this trail. From Cornish Point, the landscape changes dramatically to rocky bluffs as the trail heads into the Cromwell Gorge. One prospector is said to have taken 200 ounces of gold from a crevice in a single panning. At Trail Hub youll find stories, news, itineraries and tips to help you discover trails and towns from Queenstown to Dunedin and throughout Central Otago and Clutha. The New Zealand Heritage List/Rrangi Krero (the List) is Aotearoa New Zealands national record of our rich and diverse place-based heritage. Wed cross that smaller, greener ridge before then climbing the hills behind that. Pick up a wine map from around town to plot your route. Be sure to book tours, accommodation and other services well in advance for the busy summer season, DecemberApril. A pit stop and a strongly lacedrum truffle restored morale, and the afternoon ride to the Styx Creek was a dream compared with what we had just endured. This section requires the most attention and skill as there are narrow undulating sections with steep drop-offs. Dropping a little to the upper Ida Valley (Id crossed further down two days before) things flattened for a short stretch before we turned south on the Old Dunstan Road. Lake Dunstan Trail Map Lake Dunstan Trail Sections Smith's Way to Cromwell Heritage Precinct: 16.4km Cromwell Heritage Precinct to Bannockburn Bridge - 6km Bannockburn Bridge to Cornish Point - 7.3km Cornish Point to Clyde - 25km (now open) Trip reviews Videos Essential information Videos Queenstown airport is 45 minutes drive from Cromwell, and an hour to Clyde. Old Dunstan Road, also known as The Dunstan Trail, is a 4WD track located in the Otago Region in the South Island of New Zealand. The Clutha (known then as the Molyneux, after Robert Mollineux, sailing master of the Endeavour) had been unusually low that year, revealing shingle flats that could be panned and sieved for their gleaming booty. New Zealand, PO Box 11-310 Along the way you will marvel at the man-made landscapes, rich Maori and early pioneer history, and vineyards as you travel along the Lake Dunstan Trail. One route, from Tuapeka, followed the Molyneux River all the way. It then varies between gravel, clay and bare rock. This puts you on the side away from the dropoffs. New Zealands newest lake 40km length, covering 26.4km sq of former river-bed and terraces. Sign up for our newsletter and stay up to date with what's happening in Central Otago, Website crafted by Food and water are readily available in Cromwell and Clyde. Check back soon to see our map of the Lakes Dunstan Trail. The Palmerston North Plunket Rooms (Former) opened their doors to care for parents and their infants in 1929. The Clarks Junction pub still had the same proprietor as when I visited three years before (I think if Id visited twenty years earlier that would have still held), and it was still for sale. Why is this heritage place not on the List? Skip to main content Search Central OtagoSearch Our Stories People, Places & Values To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. Faces quickly became mudpacks aswind-borne dust whistled down the gorge and coated the cavalcade. In time, the route became known as the Dunstan Road. New Central Otago cycle trail opens, and more cash promised This area experiences extremes of weather any time of year, so go well prepared. Old Dunstan Road is a 4x4 track located in the Otago Region in the South Island of New Zealand. After Cromwell, known as Clutha River. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund. At Cromwell Heritage Precinct be sure to park up and explore the boutique galleries, retail stores, restaurants and cafe's. Unlimited access to every NZGeo story ever written and hundreds of hours of natural history documentaries on all your devices. It climbs to almost 1,000 metres (3,300ft) before dropping down to Paerau (known during the gold rush era as Styx). The trail follows the road uphill past the dam and turns left off the road to descend down to the Clutha Matau-Au Riverside track and Clyde Bridge. The landscapes peculiar forms and unusual lines are clues to the goldmining and hydropower history around here. Lake Dunstan Trail | 100% Pure New Zealand Dropping a little to the upper Ida Valley (I'd crossed further down two days before) things flattened for a short stretch before we turned south on the Old Dunstan Road. In driving rain we crested one bald brown ridge after another, thinking that each might mark the beginning of the descent, but knowing we had several hours of rocks and pillars in front of us. In wet conditions, parts of the trail are unrideable because of sticky mud. However, it is recommended that you make all bookings for hire, transport and tours in advance, particularly during peak season (DecemberApril). The Hugo suspension bridge is in the middle of this section with a walkable steep land option for those uncomfortable on the bridge. The trail then shares a 4WD track closer to lake level before reaching a section of trail that was the toughest to build and virtually all hand made. A hundred and thirty years ago, punters could travel the Dunstan Road by five-horse coach, and stop at one of a number of stores, accommodation houses, and sly grog outlets which sprang up along the route. But, its on our list now. You are still completely responsible for your decisions, your actions, and your safety. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. It is possible to return to Cromwell on a trail alongside Bannockburn Road - making for a wonderful short and family friendly day ride. Park cars at the trees. There are 13 tunnels (total 18.5km of tunnels) drilled into the Cromwell Gorge in the mid 1990s. From here it turns toward the valley of the Manuherikia River, finishing at Moa Creek. Influx of European pioneers associated with the gold rush of the 1960s. The Otago Central Rail Trail is New Zealand's Original Great Ride, its open all year round, it is all off-road, no traffic, just Central Otago's big skies and distinctive landscape to enjoy. It is a diverse and evolving resource available to all New Zealanders. Night fell and Cromwell buzzed with laughter as exhausted cavalcaders square-danced the locals off their feet to the tunes of John Grenell and the PognScroggin Bush Band. This Otago geography article is a stub. All up around two hundred kilometres with perhaps four thousand metres of climbing on mostly gravel and some more rugged, steep off-road sections. Vilnius Travel Guide. 8.4km, Grade 23/easyintermediate, 11.5 hours. The nor-wester, while warm did at least help us up the hill. Following the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan to Bannockburn, you will have amazing vistas across the lake to Bannockburn vineyards and the next section of trail. These tunnels are also used to mitigate against landslips into the Clutha River. It's not just traditional accommodation, all these historic banks, halls and stables have been repurposed, redesigned, and refurbished to suit the needs of today yep, they even have wifi. Old Dunstan road is a great fun drive in dry weather conditions but can get a bit hairy during rain. Along the way there are sections where the land has been reshaped in the search for gold and then again when the lake was formed. But by dry condition the track is fine to ride, there are few passages which need extra care since flat gravel is very loose on the driveway the bike could slip on those medium size flat rocks, especially if you travel downhill. Along the way there are sections where the land has been reshaped in the search for gold and then again when the lake was formed. Photographed by Peter Meecham. Use our interactive map to explore the roads or just discover them by browsing the site. You can also download the awesome Great Rides App to see where you are on the trail. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. There may have been more walking as we climbed at ten percent for an hour or so before it leveled off. Because of the fragile environment, vehicles and mountain bikes must keep to the track. Wellington 6142 The map can be downloaded here. Maurice Shadbolt records that these men had to gamble their lives against a pitiless landscape. It was into that pitiless landscape that 220 horses, a Clydesdale team, a coach and assorted wagons rode in November 1991 in the first Dunstan Cavalcade, a four-day trek over the 160km trail used by diggers to get to the goldfields. We saw signs posted that further resurrection was prohibited. It then arcs around the lake to reach Cromwell where it dips under the highway bridge and continues along the shoreline to reach Cromwell Heritage Precinct, a great place to park up and explore the boutique galleries, shops and cafes.