These sections are only suitable for confident, experienced cyclists and are not recommended for most children. A map showing the planned 500km continuous trail network from Queenstown to Dunedin, estimated in 2018 to cost . Toilets are at either end of this section at Cairnmuir Gully & Halfway Hut. dangerousroads.org is not responsible for the information contained in these pages. A steep, walkable alternative is available for those with a fear of heights. Im sold on bivy bags now and will soon have my own to further lessen my bikepacking load on certain trips. An easy start on the Rail Trail ended after half an hour and we began climbing over the Raggedy Range (mentioned mostly because I like the name). 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. Lake Dunstan Trail Great Ride - Ng Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails Back on road again, a brief section of relative pace. What happens after I submit a consent application for a property included on the List? Unlimited access to every NZGeo story ever written and hundreds of hours of natural history documentaries on all your devices. Plenty of breaks provided ample rewards with the view across Central getting better with every metre claimed from gravity. 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. There are a few fords to cross, thus better use a 4WD. 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. a smile on the face of the wagoner. [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. In wet conditions, parts of the trail are unrideable because of sticky mud. 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. The rock and pillars of the Rock and Pillar. Please use the above parking locations and park considerately; do not block access to any driveway, boat ramp or trail access point. 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. In this week's show, Ray talked us through his insurance win, we have another These tunnels are also used to mitigate against landslips into the Clutha River. With trout released its a popular fishing spot although one would go slow in a boat as there are so many rocks around. The third,and most direct, route was known as the Mountain Track. The Hugo suspension bridge is in the middle of this section with a walkable steep land option for those uncomfortable on the bridge. Australia - search by map New Zealand - search by map: CATEGORIES: NEW ZEALAND (29, 30060) AFRICA (10, 4738) ASIA (10, 2105) AUSTRALIA (32, 13662) SOUTH AMERICA (5, 2704) USA (6, 3326) OTHER . going in a west / north direction towards the gorge. A dominant feature at the Clyde end of the trail isNew Zealands third largest hydro-dam, the Clyde Dam. To share your ride story or trail tip you need to be logged in. Clyde to Jackson Creek/Hydes Spur(return), 2023km or more,Grade 2/easyintermediate, 23 hours or more. The road loosely follows the trail that was used by gold miners traipsing from Dunedin to Dunstan (now Clyde) in the 1860s. However, it is narrow (1.5m) in places, with a total climb of 580m over 42 kms. To leave Dunedin by the shortest possible route, cycle straight up Stuart Street from the Octagon and veer right onto Taieri Road, which turns into Three Mile Hill Road. It climbs to almost 1,000 metres (3,300ft) before dropping down to Paerau (known during the gold rush era as Styx). 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. Old Dunstan Road is the name of a 4x4 track/Adventure riding track located in Otago South Island of New Zealand. The Upper Tairei River is just around the corner, behind that sign. Historic buildings -dating back to the gold rush of the 1860s were saved or lovingly rebuilt on this higher ground. In wet conditions, parts of the trail are unridable because of sticky mud. 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. Nary a soul about, I was wary of getting stuck up here in the incoming weather although I did have sufficient pork scratchings to see us through. The Dunstan Trail, also known as the Old Dunstan Road, is a historic route in Otago, New Zealand. Copyright: Heritage New Zealand. If you smell coffee as you approach Cairnmuir Gully, you are not mistaken. A Guide to Cycle Safety on the Lake Dunstan Trail | Central Otago Food and water are readily available in Cromwell and Clyde. For when work is necessary due to a state of emergency. Started construction 1977. With Adele arriving late after work Friday night and her bike still needing to be loaded that night, I was happy with a six-thirty start on a lightly overcast day. Long having wanted to ride the Old Dunstan Trail, my plan for the day at the outset of this trip had become ambitious. Seek to be open and honest in all our interactions. Lake Dunstan Trail - Cycling and Walking Trail | Central Otago New Zealand. Its 46 km (28.64 miles) long, running south-north and coming south at the Poolburn Dam, Upper Taieri-Paerau Road. At the time of the road's creation, it was the shortest route from the city of Dunedin to the goldfields around Clyde, or Dunstan as it was then known. Cycling the Rail Trail offers you the chance to immerse yourself in the history and romance of the railway and the Otago gold rush. Because of the fragile environment, vehicles and mountain bikes must keep to track. This was one of the Think Big projects driven by the Muldoon led Government to diversify the economy and drive growth. Grade 3+ Time 2-4 days Distance 170 km Track conditions 35% sealed road, 45% gravel road, 20% 4WD track 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. Search the List | Old Dunstan Road | Heritage New Zealand More fenceposts provided handy bike stands at the top of that hour-long climb. It is possible to return to Cromwell on a trail alongside Bannockburn Road - making for a wonderful short and family friendly day ride. Historic place (Category 1): places of special or outstanding historical or cultural significance, Historic place (Category 2): places of historic or cultural significance, Historic area: an area with multiple, related historic places, Whi tpuna: places of ancestral significance for Mori, Whi tapu: places sacred to Mori in the traditional, spiritual, ritual or mythological sense, Whi tapu area: places that contain one or more whi tapu, February 2023 | Category 1 historic place. Some careless child of the giants left their Tonka toy just sitting there. Vilnius | Lithuania Travel Guide | Rough Guides Long stretches without food and water mean that riders should be self-sufficient and carry more than enough for the journey,noting that in the summer months the heat makes ample water supplies essential. There are 13 tunnels (total 18.5km of tunnels) drilled into the hillsides of the gorge in the mid 1990s. The historic town of Clyde marks the southern end of the Lake Dunstan Trail and the western end of the Otago Central Rail Trail. Watching the clock tick over far faster than the odometer, I began to reassess the goals for the day. Your email address will not be published. Five Must Do Foodies Experiences in Central Otago, Smiths Way to Cromwell Heritage Precinct - 16km, Grade 1, Cromwell Heritage Precinct to Bannockburn Inlet - 7km, Grade 2, Bannockburn Inlet to Cairnmuir Gully - 11.3km. There are plenty of picnic spots to stop at and enjoy the lakeside. Take the time to listen and understand other peoples opinions and cultural differences. There's numerous explanation boards detailing the history of settlement, and the construction of the Dam. 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. Underneath the water is the original track which is heavily used by 4X4 cars, and the cars left big drive lines behind which are not visible from the bike so the risk is very high to slope and slide to the side in the middle of one of the mud pools and drawn down the bike. There is a choice of companies to hire from and between them they cover all possible options including childrens bikes and e-bikes. The Cashmere Sanatorium Open Air Shelter is a rare surviving open-air patient shelter that provides a poignant insight into the early 20th century response to the global disease of tuberculosis. Several national bike tour companies offer customised tours of popular South Island cycle trails, with Christchurch and Queenstown popular departure points for international visitors. Lake Dunstan Trail Need to know The trail ranges from grade 2 (easy) to 3 (intermediate), mostly following wide, smooth gravel and earth paths with some sections of wooden boardwalk. Or please provide your feedback by completing a trail survey so that improvements can continuously be made to the trail experience. It can be done on a rainy day too but the road will change into a single mud track. There are 13 tunnels (total 18.5km of tunnels) drilled into the hillsides of the gorge in the mid 1990s. The most colourful thing we saw all day; unfortunately we missed all of the tours. Incorporate time to explore around Cromwell and through the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. 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. Closed for about four months each winter (usually from the first Tuesday in June to 30th of September), the Old Dunstan Road is best traversed with a 4 wheel drive vehicle. XVIII. As it continues toward Cornish Point it passes by vineyards and olive groves - with views back across to Cromwell and the Heritage Precinct. 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. Old Dunstan Trail 4x4 Adventure - The Patearoa 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. TimeZoneOne Theyre marked on the map as a 4WD track and lead to a derelict house on Linnburn Runs Road, 7 km away. After crossing the Bannockburn bridge loop around to Bannockburn Inlet where there is a toilet, and parking available. 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. Oddly, for Central Otago, we rarely spotted rabbits; they must have felt vibrations from the horses hooves well in advance of our arrival. Date: 1/06/2008. I had no fear of losing my hat to the wind. Cromwell and Clyde are the obvious bases for a Lake Dunstan ride. But plans on trips like these are fluid at best and I was happy to scale this one back as I had company! . Keep up to date with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. 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. Over the next two days gale force winds continued to challenge the line-up of akubra (stockmans) hats as we forded rivers, followed dusty tracks and cantered across tussocky farmland. Poolburn Dam Brown Trout Fishing - 300 Hectare Lake in Ida Valley Otago Central Otago is a popular holiday destination and well set up for visitors. The Cromwell Basin and Bannockburn area are some of the southernmost grape growing regions in the world. Lake Dunstan Trail (Clyde) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go This section of the Lake Dunstan Trail is a popular day ride or walk to / from Cromwell. The region's popularity makes it advisable to book accommodation well in advance for peak season (JanuaryApril). The interactive map will show you some of the best parts of the track and let you see where to take on next. TimeZoneOne With the wind at our backs and views like this, it was rather pleasant. You climb from Dam level up 120m twice on this 42km trail. Beyond Paerau, the trail becomes far rougher as it passes above the meanders and oxbow lakes of the upper Taieri River's scroll plain, and then descends towards Poolburn Reservoir, best known as a location during the filming of The Lord of the Rings trilogy of films. Taken By: M Kelly. Subscribe to our free newsletter for news and prizes. The existing road diverts from the trail twice. We hid behind the trees for a bit of refueling (a lot more soft brie) before making our assault on the steepest section of the Old Dunstan Road. 11.3km, Grade 23/easyintermediate, 11.5 hours. There are 13 tunnels (total 18.5km of tunnels) drilled into the Cromwell Gorge in the mid 1990s. It includes more boardwalk sections, a narrow trail that includes a switchback up with amazing hand-stacked rock walls before you reach the storyboard overlooking Halfway Hut. Theres no shame in that, and youll increase your chances of spotting the pick-axe stuck in the rock wall. Only averaging ten kilometres an hour by now, Middlemarch went out the window and the aim was to get to Clarks Junction before the pub closed. Speaking of fair clouds, the clouds were kind to us that day providing light cover and no rain. This scenic ride will take you along the Lake Dunstan shores, through undulating hills, flat areas . Ng Manawhenua o Aotearoa me na Krero Tturu | National Historic Landmarks. All up around two hundred kilometres with perhaps four thousand metres of climbing on mostly gravel and some more rugged, steep off-road sections. Head south, through Patearoa and take the Linnburn Runs Rd turnoff (40km). Please login to proceed or create a free account. All smiles after the lovely valley floor riding the Ida Valley behind. It wends its way alongside Lake Dunstan from Smiths Way via Pisa Moorings to Cromwell. As you go, look out for the drainage tunnels dotted along the length of the gorge. Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail - Backyard Travel Family Do the right thing by our region and check what legal requirements need to be met before you get started. 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. Reflection of Lammermoor Range in Still Water of Logan Burn Reservoir ( Great Moss Swamp ), Old Dunstan Trail, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand . There is no shelter from the weather, which can change quickly, and it is bitterly cold in a southerly. 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. It is a diverse and evolving resource available to all New Zealanders. There are impressive views across to the Bannockburn vineyards, through which the trail will soon head once it crosses to the other side. At the pub we turn right and thats the start (from the western end) of the Dunstan Trail though a road sign to say it was the Old Dunstan Road would've have been nice. This section includes the first of the remarkable boardwalks built into the bluffs get off and walk if youd rather. It was clamped to my head with the wet, perhaps frozen there. Trail Key Trail Access and Parking Toilets Important Information The Lake Dunstan Trail is open year-round. In wet conditions, parts of the trail are unrideable because of sticky mud. The road was created during the Central Otago Gold Rush of the 1860s. Old maps of Vilniaus Approximately 16km.The entire Lake Dunstan Trail i. Check out this great safety video to see whether this trail is right for you. 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. The first power was generated in 1992. Dunstan Trail Dunedin to Alexandra 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. Skip to main content Search Central OtagoSearch Our Stories People, Places & Values Old Dunstan Road: Ultimate 4wd destination in NZ - dangerousroads.org Hartley and Reilly had lost their gold pan, and used bare hands and a broken shovel. When theyre open and do check if youre keen you can also get refreshments at the Bannockburn Hotel and nearby wineries, and Coffee Afloat around the trails midway point. We saw signs posted that further resurrection was prohibited. 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. Required fields are marked *. Do you know any spectacular road?Click here to send us all the info, and we'll publish it! This mountain bike primary trail can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating with a 2,202 m blue climb. Cycle trail maps have key distances, elevations and trail highlights. The trail offers cyclists and walkers an a 40.km ride (Grade 2-3) through unique and fascinating landscapes so characteristic of Central Otago as it journeys along Lake Dunstan, the Kawarau River and the mighty Clutha River Mata-au. 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). Provisioning became a surer way ofmaking a fortune than panning. 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. Much of the route is only suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles. Make decisions with the community in mind and in harmony with the natural environment so we can help create the kind of place we can be proud of. 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. The Lake Dunstan Walking and Cycling Trail links the townships of Clyde and Cromwell. By which I mean about ten or twenty cars basically rush hour. Share YOUR roads!We'vemorethan 13.000 roads but we want more! In this parched, waterless landscape a gimlet and straw were said to be part of a wagoners essential equipment. Because of the fragile environment, vehicles and mountain bikes must keep to the track. Find out more about trail safety, riding skills and equipment in the Need to Know section. Also, writing this Im still most keen to have a go at my original plan. 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. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Maurice Shadbolt records that these men had to gamble their lives against a pitiless landscape. Grade 1. In wet conditions, parts of the trail are unrideable because of sticky mud. It was designed to protect the river from a major land slide, which could overwhelm the Clyde Dam, a short distance downstream. Some network coverage is patchy in places, but text messages will usually get through. Dunstan Arm Rowing ClubClyde Heritage Precinct. Cross the bridge to reach Clyde. The climb was steady and it took us about two hours before the reservoir was revealed. 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. An extremely quiet area to escape to, Adele was eyeing it up for future breaks. 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. What could go wrong? 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. Vilnius-oblast (Litva) Frolov 1820-1835 1820-1835 1:38 000. Dunstan's cavalcade | New Zealand Geographic This is section contains the highest point of the trail, rewarded with magnificent views which also means exposure to the weather. Ask your librarian to subscribe to this service next year. Otago Central Rail Trail - NZ's Original Great Ride | Central Otago Old Dunstan Road, Clarks Junction; Galloway Flat Old Dunstan Road approaching the Poolburn Dam, Rough Ridge, from the north-east. Old Dunstan Road starts from Clarks junction, around an hour from Dunedin on the way to Middlemarch. The first power was generated in 1992. The Lake Dunstan Cycling & Walking Trail can be accessed from Cromwell or Clyde. Please check weather forecast before using the 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. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dunstan_Trail&oldid=903812693, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 June 2019, at 04:06. Be open to new ideas, open to exploring the possibilities and appreciate the strengths and talents each person brings. Looking over the valley below and at the clouds encroaching, they were looking a bit too far away to be that evenings goal. The first power was generated in 1992. The nor-wester, while warm did at least help us up the hill. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga 2023. New Zealand, PO Box 11-310 Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}453600S 1695430E / 45.60000S 169.90833E / -45.60000; 169.90833. Always ask ourselves is there a better way one that achieves a premium status, quality experience or interaction. Ng Manawhenua o Aotearoa me na Krero Tturu | National Historic Landmarks tell the stories of who we are as New Zealanders. Casual bike hire is available in Cromwell and Clyde. (Clive pic.) Recognition on the Rrangi Krero is a way to actively care for Mori heritage by promoting the associated stories and tribal connections of those places. In fact, there were three ways prospectors could get to the Dunstan. Welcome to the official page for Lake Dunstan Cycle and Walking Trail, linking Clyde and Cromwell. Reflective of the development of sports and recreation amenities in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Grandstand is closely connected to the history of club rugby. From the Heritage Precinct, the trail follows the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan to reach Bannockburn Bridge. From Cromwell its an easy ride to Bannockburns world-class cellar doors and winery restaurants. Coffee Afloat is parked up on the lake most days from mid-morning to mid afternoon serving coffee, scones and burgers. The sheep station here is called Rocklands it could hardly be anything elseand rocks are even used as fence posts. The road was part of the original route called the Mountain Road taken by hardy people seeking their gold rush fortunes in the early 1860s, to travel from Dunedin to the goldfields in Central Otago. The trails highest point is marked by the trig point, 324m above sea level and 130m above the lake. This is part of the Old Dunstan trail from the Styx Basin. There is a total of 580m climbing between Cromwell and Clyde, with most of the ascents gentle but steady. It is possible to return to Cromwell on a trail alongside Bannockburn Road - making for a wonderful short and family friendly day ride. There's also a 16km section of trail that traces the pretty Lake Dunstan shore from Smiths Way to the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Downhill across open farmland is never as fast as one hopes as one deals with all the bumps and divots on a loaded bike; this was no exception, but it was nice not to be pedaling for a bit. Grade 2-3, Cairnmuir Gully to Halfway Hut - 8.4km, Grade 2 - 3, Halfway Hut to Dunstan Arm Rowing Club - 10.7km, Grade 2-3, Dunstan Arm Rowing Club to Clyde Heritage Precinct - 3.5km. Its a fairly exposed point that cops a fair bit of weather, but with luck youll have perfect conditions to admire the views. Thanks to your great story and photos. With the help of the trees we hid behind, I was dry albeit very warm. On average it takes 2 hours55 minutes to complete this trail. The Dunstan Trail - Kiwi Biker Nationwide Intercity buses service Cromwell and Clyde. Vilnius 100km - Takas aplink Vilni For a time we rode through a small gorge, the red tussock grasses were abundant. Why is this heritage place not on the List? Summer heat maddened as frosty valleys became furnaces. Lots of inspiration! There may have been more walking as we climbed at ten percent for an hour or so before it leveled off. The trail offers cyclists and walkers a challenging 55km ride (Grade 2-3) through unique and fascinating landscapes so characteristic of Central Otago as itjourneys along Lake Dunstan, the Kawarau River and the mighty Clutha River Mata-au. These tunnels are also used to mitigate against landslips into the Clutha River. Bike hire, shuttles and tours are also available here. Old Dunstan Road We made it! So vital were the wagoners supplies to the isolated canvas-town communities of prospectors that prices could be pushed sky-high. 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. This Otago geography article is a stub. That night, in our own version of the 1860s grog tent, hot food and cold ale loosened joints, and John Grenells songs of the high country and the road set the right rustic mood. Do you have more information about a place on the List? 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. There may have been some hike-a-bike good training for the madness that is Godzone.