Smaller local shuttle operators service smaller destinations and tailor trips to visitors needs; many also offer transfers to and from Queenstown. The website is for information purposes only and we assume no liability for decisions made as a result of the information provided here. Before heading onward, its possible to detour up to the historic Bannockburn Hotel, or down Felton Road where there are a bunch of top-notch wineries. Get dropped off at the Smiths Way car park and bike back to town, or start from Cromwell and turn it into a 24 hour, 32km return ride. Summer heat maddened as frosty valleys became furnaces. In winter, multiple layers and gloves are recommended, even if the skies look reassuringly blue. On this section, there are plenty of picnic spots to stop at and enjoy the lakeside. [1], The road begins at Clarks Junction in the Strath-Taieri, where it meets SH 87, and extends to the northwest, crossing between the Lammermoor and Rock and Pillar Range before turning north. 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. Old Dunstan Road. From there it's mainly plain sailing to the Dunstan Arm Rowing Club, except for some short, tricky, grade 3 riding around Jackson and Byford Creeks, and Annan Gully. Be open to new ideas, open to exploring the possibilities and appreciate the strengths and talents each person brings. Choose to learn from past experiences with the future generations in mind. Some network coverage is patchy in places, but text messages will usually get through. If you go any further than the river, youll be on private land. The trail diverged from the road near the bottom of the downhill, we found the correct gate and put ourselves on farm track trying to follow the path of those miners long ago. 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. going in a west / north direction towards the gorge. This section also passes under the amazing Cairnmuir Slide, a terraced stone face engineered to protect the river from a major landslide that could overwhelm the Clyde Dam downstream. Although the trail is well signposted, carrying the official map will enhance the experience by pinpointing landmarks and assist with timings for boat and shuttle pick-ups. These tunnels are also used to mitigate against landslips into the Clutha River. As you go, look out for the drainage tunnels dotted along the length of the gorge. To share your ride story or trail tip you need to be logged in. The Hugo suspension bridge is in the middle of this section with a walkable steep land option for those uncomfortable on the bridge. Its mostly uphill cycling, northwest on Highway 87, to Clarks Junction 49 km from Dunedin. The Upper Tairei River is just around the corner, behind that sign. A dramatic entry was planned at Cromwell, with hundreds of onlookers turning out for the opening of the resited and restored buildings in Old Cromwell, the historical precinct built by residents when the towns main road fell to the Clyde Dam development. Closed for about four months each winter, the Old Dunstan Road is best traversed with a 4WD vehicle. Looking over the valley below and at the clouds encroaching, they were looking a bit too far away to be that evenings goal. At Cromwell Heritage Precinct be sure to park up and explore the boutique galleries, retail stores, restaurants and cafe's. The Cromwell Basin and Bannockburn area are some of the southernmost grape growing regions in the world. Below you will find the full trail map, information about trail markings and sections and you will be able to download the trail map adapted to various running apps. It is rutted and corrugated in places, slippery when wet, dusty when dry, and can be closed in winter by snow and ice. Central Otago Long Way Home - Day Four - Biking Pheasant Grade 3+ Time 24 days Distance 170 km, Track conditions 35% sealed road, 45% gravel road, 20% 4WD track. The water was there due to a dam being built in the 1930s to provide irrigation water for the valley below. A little unfinished business there. 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* Visit the official trail website for more information on riding safely, and check out this great safety video to see whether this trail is right for you. Sign up for our newsletter and stay up to date with what's happening in Central Otago, Website crafted by We also slept in the same playground as that time. In those hardy days all the miners provisions had to be carted in from Dunedina two- or three-week round trip by horse-drawn dray, and even longer for a bullock wagon. The trail then climbs out of the inlet to Carrick Winery which welcomes cyclists for wine-tasting and dining. The road, also known as The Dunstan Trail, ranges from a sealed road to a graveled track. Pick up a wine map from around town to plot your route. 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. Following the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan to the Bannockburn bridge, you will have amazing vistas across the lake to Bannockburn vineyards and the next section of trail which loops back round on the opposite side. Be sure to book tours, accommodation and other services well in advance for the busy summer season, DecemberApril. There are many places to rest a while beside the lake, with swimming, boating and other water sports all popular along most of its distance. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. To gold-hungry prospectors time was precious, and most preferred to take their chances with the unpredictable weather and desolate, unstable countryside offered by the Mountain Track. A steep, walkable alternative is available for those with a fear of heights. The road passes through a spectacular landscape with ever changing views some of which made it into the second part of the LOTR trilogy. Cromwell Heritage PrecinctBannockburn wineries (return), 16km or more, Grade 2/easyintermediate, 1.53 hours or more. The Hugo suspension bridge is in the middle of this section with a walkable steep land option for those uncomfortable on the bridge. A hundred or so kilometres of gravel on the trail, leaving it to slog up a 4WD track onto and along the Rock and Pillar Range, a steep plunge off the side to Middlemarch and then another sixty kilometres of gravelly hills to the coast and home. Losing a few hundred metres in a hurry, things flattened out through a sheep station. The landscapes peculiar forms and unusual lines are clues to the goldmining and hydropower history around here. Check out this great safety video to see whether this trail is right for you. Be at the cutting edge, setting directions and accepting challenges. Provisioning became a surer way ofmaking a fortune than panning. Toilets are at either end of this section at Cairnmuir Gully & Halfway Hut. However, its possible to enjoy shorter rides on the trail, a few ideas for which follow here. As we climbed to over 1000 metres we were five abreast, with the hail battering and soaking horse and rider alike. Can be ridden in both directions. Level 3, 4 Bond St 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). From Clarks Junction, it is 48 km of up and down (but mostly up) to the abandoned Paerau township (called Styx by the locals) where there is an esplanade reserve by the Taieri River. Parts of the trail are in remote terrain with some challenging grade 3 sections. The road is sealed at the start and turns to gravel after 9.2km. 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. Please Clyde to Jackson Creek/Hydes Spur(return), 2023km or more,Grade 2/easyintermediate, 23 hours or more. Speaking of fair clouds, the clouds were kind to us that day providing light cover and no rain. What happens after I submit a consent application for a property included on the List? There are 13 tunnels (total 18.5km of tunnels) drilled into the hillsides of the gorge in the mid 1990s. It's free, works offline and has heaps of useful information, including trail descriptions and photos, trail services, food and accommodation. The newest Great Ride in Central Otago and the Southern Lakes, this specially built trail provides a vital link to the Otago Central Rail Trail, Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold Trail. We were going to get to the kitchen before it closed! Cross the bridge to reach Clyde. At Clyde, the Lake Dunstan Trail links with New Zealand's original Great Ride the Otago Central Rail Trail. Its a fairly exposed point that cops a fair bit of weather, but with luck youll have perfect conditions to admire the views. This is section contains the highest point of the trail, rewarded with magnificent views which also means exposure to the weather. Started construction 1977. Vilnius. The road is sealed at the start and turns to gravel after 9.2km. Happy riding and keep posting! Long having wanted to ride the Old Dunstan Trail, my plan for the day at the outset of this trip had become ambitious. Please check weather forecast before using the trail. Vilnius 100km - Takas aplink Vilni From Cromwell its an easy ride to Bannockburns world-class cellar doors and winery restaurants. Its 46 km (28.64 miles) long, running south-north and coming south at the Poolburn Dam, Upper Taieri-Paerau Road. This is section contains the highest point of the trail, rewarded with magnificent views which also means exposure to the weather. Taken By: M Kelly. Incorporate time to explore around Cromwell and through the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Be sure to admire the painstakingly stacked rock-walls around here. The Lake Dunstan Trail is New Zealand's latest Great Ride. 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. imtmeio pabaigoje. Note that the most challenging and remote part of the trail is between Cornish Point and the Dunstan Arm Rowing Club, where some trail sections are narrow in places (1.5m) with steep drop-offs. Its a lovely place to base yourself for Great Ride adventures with a wide range of quality accommodation, and great shops, cafes and restaurants. The Cairnmuir slide is an unique feature on the slopes above the Clutha River. (Clive pic.) As news of Horatio Hartley and Christopher Reillys magnificent haul spread, the name sparked an exodus of the able-bodied for the new El Dorado. Cromwell at the confluence of the Clutha River (incorporating Lake Dunstan) and the Kawarau Rivers. One route, from Tuapeka, followed the Molyneux River all the way. This section of the Lake Dunstan Trail is a popular day ride or walk to / from Cromwell. Young folks these days. Required fields are marked *. There's also a 16km section of trail that traces the pretty Lake Dunstan shore from Smiths Way to the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Lake Dunstan Trail. Smiths Way to Cromwell Heritage Precinct. 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. Its 46 km long. The most colourful thing we saw all day; unfortunately we missed all of the tours. The territory was trackless and the climate murderous. Photographed by Peter Meecham. It was time to climb again and climb we did. However, it is narrow (1.5m) in places, with a total climb of 580m over 42 kms. Just past the historic Halfway Hut viewpoint is a series of switchbackswith tight corners and a decent climb/descent. 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.
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