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. The map can be downloaded here. As you go, look out for the drainage tunnels dotted along the length of the gorge. The region's popularity makes it advisable to book accommodation well in advance for peak season (JanuaryApril). As trail transport does not run to a scheduled timetable, any shuttles should be arranged in advance direct through operators or local i-SITE visitor centres. The new Dunstan Trail is the first stage of a 122km project linking Queenstown, . You are still completely responsible for your decisions, your actions, and your safety. Oddly, for Central Otago, we rarely spotted rabbits; they must have felt vibrations from the horses hooves well in advance of our arrival. These sections are only suitable for confident, experienced cyclists and are not recommended for most children. Even so, the route to the Dunstan was no cakewalk. There are 13 tunnels (total 18.5km of tunnels) drilled into the hillsides of the gorge in the mid 1990s. Approximately 16km.The entire Lake Dunstan Trail i. First stop was just south of Moa Creek to check the map and to take a photo of some sheep and off down Webster Lane we go until we see the pub. (45degrees south). The aptly named Cairnmuir Ladder, may look daunting but the switchbacks have been designed to a maximum of 6 degree gradient with a 3m minimum radius. Please note that parts of the trail are in remote terrain with some challenging grade 3 sections which are only recommended for confident and experienced cyclists. The water was there due to a dam being built in the 1930s to provide irrigation water for the valley below. Cycle trail maps have key distances, elevations and trail highlights. 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 sheep station here is called Rocklands it could hardly be anything elseand rocks are even used as fence posts. Nationwide Intercity buses service Cromwell and Clyde. You can also download the awesome Great Rides App to see where you are on the trail. From Poolburn, its 50 km mostly downhill to Alexandra. This Otago geography article is a stub. A little planning will go a long way to ensuring you have an enjoyable and comfortable trip. The trail offers cyclists and walkers a challenging 55km ride (Grade 2-3) through unique and fascinating landscapes so characteristic of Central Otago as it. Ng Manawhenua o Aotearoa me na Krero Tturu | National Historic Landmarks. In this stretch, youll need a compass to avoid drifting onto new, misleading 4WD tracks. The jail here has a fireplace that may be useful if its raining or snowing. In wet conditions, parts of the trail are unrideable because of sticky mud. A small hole in one of the liquor barrels being transported to a hotel or grog shop, a long thirst-quenching pull on the straw, a peg and some wet soil to hide the evidence . Be at the cutting edge, setting directions and accepting challenges. Its a lovely outing on bike or foot, with stupendous lake and mountain views, pretty picnic areas and swimming spots. 1-7 Days 315 Km 1 hr 30 mins from Auckland Airport to Christchurch Airport 1 hr 50 mins from Auckland Airport to Queenstown Airport 5 mins from Lake Tekapo & Twizel The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail serves up remarkable scenery from Aoraki Mt Cook all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Cycling the Rail Trail offers you the chance to immerse yourself in the history and romance of the railway and the Otago gold rush. Notes The historic Dunstan Trail was the route originally used by goldminers in the 1860s to travel from Dunedin to the goldfields in Central Otago. The Old Dunstan Road turns off to the left here, and you head into an isolated and barren Central Otago landscape. It was before the approaching ridge, huzzah. The regions rich modern, pioneering and Maori historical stories are integrated along the way, some of which are brought to life in the Clyde and Cromwell Historical Precinct. Faces quickly became mudpacks aswind-borne dust whistled down the gorge and coated the cavalcade. journeys along Lake Dunstan, the Kawarau River and the mighty Clutha River Mata-au. 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. Inthe morning all that was leftwas to award prizes for Sorest Bum, Greenest Trailrider, Most Difficult Horse to Catch, plus others, and to take our leave of our fellow riders. The road ranges from a sealed road to a graveled track. 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. Rich in history both Maori and early pioneers. The trail then climbs out of the inlet to Carrick Winery which welcomes cyclists for wine-tasting and dining. It then varies between gravel, clay, and bare rock. There's also a 16km section of trail that traces the pretty Lake Dunstan shore from Smiths Way to the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Because of the fragile environment, vehicles and mountain bikes must keep to track. Dotted around it were a variety of small huts, all permanent-enough looking but none of which youd go so far to call a house, or even a bach. As we eased our aches in imagined hot baths, the stories grew tall, but even the most experienced musterers from the area agreed that our storm had been one of the roughest and riskiest they had encountered. What are the benefits of being included on the List? 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. So vital were the wagoners supplies to the isolated canvas-town communities of prospectors that prices could be pushed sky-high. Closed for about four months each winter, the Old Dunstan Road is best traversed with a 4WD vehicle. When two californian prospectors startled the Dunedin treasury office by bringing in 87 pounds of gold in 1863 the name Dunstan was little more than a scratching on a surveyors map. Don't forget to grab a wine map too. Old Dunstan Road is the name of a 4x4 track/Adventure riding track located in Otago South Island of New Zealand. Cycle north out of Paerau on the Styx-Patearoa Road for 1.5 km. 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. This puts you on the side away from the dropoffs. Trail Key Trail Access and Parking Toilets Important Information The Lake Dunstan Trail is open year-round. Looking over the valley below and at the clouds encroaching, they were looking a bit too far away to be that evenings goal. Several national bike tour companies offer customised tours of popular South Island cycle trails, with Christchurch and Queenstown popular departure points for international visitors. 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. Riders are richly rewarded with fine food and wine too, not only at Cromwell, Bannockburn and Clyde, but also at Cairnmuir Gully where theres a floating cafe on the lakeshore a unique and unforgettable place to take a refreshment break. This area experiences extremes of weather any time of year, so go well prepared. The road from Styx is not recommended as it is not gravel and has several gates on it. Its 46 km (28.64 miles) long, running south-north and coming south at the Poolburn Dam, Upper Taieri-Paerau Road. Some careless child of the giants left their Tonka toy just sitting there. It was 50km shorter than the Pigroot, but required the crossing of four mountain ranges: the Lammermoors, the Rock and Pillar Range, Rough Ridge and the Raggedy Range. Find out more about trail safety, riding skills and equipment in the Need to Know section. This trip is a collection of quiet gravel roads, 4WD tracks and old wagon trails pioneered as a bike route by gnarly cycle tourers in the 1970s. A little unfinished business there. Fear not: the expertly designed switchbacks ensure the a reasonably gentle but steady climb. The Lake Dunstan Trail is managed by a not-for-profit charitable trust, so if you've enjoyed your ride or walk on the trail, then you're invited to make a donation towards its ongoing maintenance. Maps To follow the Dunstan Trail proper, it is essential to take NZTopo250 26 Alexandra and NZTopo50 CD15 Paerau. Watching the clock tick over far faster than the odometer, I began to reassess the goals for the day. This is part of the Old Dunstan trail from the Styx Basin. The website is for information purposes only and we assume no liability for decisions made as a result of the information provided here. This section follows the sealed road in places, and shares the Clyde road bridge before climbing up towards the Clyde Heritage Precinct. With only one turn to go and armed with Adeles dinner order, I waited no longer and got to the pub and placed our orders as the gloom settled. . The most colourful thing we saw all day; unfortunately we missed all of the tours. It was designed to protect the river from a major land slide, which could overwhelm the Clyde Dam, a short distance downstream. with. This trail is two way (dual direction). XVIII. It was into that pitiless landscape that 220 horses, a Clydesdale team, acoach 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. New Zealand, PO Box 11-310 Getting out the gully requires the trails biggest climb 130 vertical metres up the aptly named Cairnmuir Ladder. The difficulty by wet condition is that the rain fill up the road and it is possible that the water level is front wheel depth. Central Otago is a fantastic year-round cycling destination, with the colour palette changing dramatically through the seasons. The rain really set in, so Sunday morning we finished by riding in the rain mostly down, but at times noticeably up, to the outskirts of Dunedin where Dad picked us up and we went for a well-deserved cooked breakfast. An extremely quiet area to escape to, Adele was eyeing it up for future breaks. However, its possible to enjoy shorter rides on the trail, a few ideas for which follow here. If its wide open spaces free from man-made structures that youre after, get in quick. To understand what to expect, to help you choose the right section of trail for your ability, and how to prepare for your ride, click here. Ask your librarian to subscribe to this service next year. Two galloping horsemen roused the crowd and attempted to rob the Cobb and Co coach as it entered the town, but in true western style the bandits escape was blocked by cavalcade trail boss Bill McMillan, who forced the miscreants to hand back their stolen loot. It is a diverse and evolving resource available to all New Zealanders. On this section, there are plenty of picnic spots to stop at and enjoy the lakeside. 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. From Cromwell its an easy ride to Bannockburns world-class cellar doors and winery restaurants. The Lake Dunstan Trail links the townships of Clyde and Cromwell.