There are plenty of picnic spots to stop at and enjoy the lakeside. You can also download the awesome Great Rides App to see where you are on the trail. TimeZoneOne It was time to climb again and climb we did. Cromwell and Clyde are the obvious bases for a Lake Dunstan ride. 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 . Cromwell at the confluence of the Clutha River (incorporating Lake Dunstan) and the Kawarau Rivers. Some great climbing and wide open views, with very interesting geology and flora to boot. It wends its way alongside Lake Dunstan from Smiths Way via Pisa Moorings to Cromwell. Do you have more information about a place on the List? 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. However, it is narrow (1.5m) in places, with a total climb of 580m over 42 kms. This was one of the Think Big projects driven by the Muldoon led Government to diversify the economy and drive growth. In places two or more teams were needed to pull a single dray up a steep incline, and on the descents a large rock was often tied on behind to slow the lurching wagon as it careered downhill. 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. 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. Central Otago is a fantastic year-round cycling destination, with the colour palette changing dramatically through the seasons. 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. 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. What could go wrong? Be open to new ideas, open to exploring the possibilities and appreciate the strengths and talents each person brings. There are toilets here. Dropping to Deep Stream, there was but one more ten percent climb left this time on the seal. Started construction 1977. Be sure to book tours, accommodation and other services well in advance for the busy summer season, DecemberApril. New Zealands newest lake 40km length, covering 26.4km sq of former river-bed and terraces. The Old Dunstan Road turns off to the left here, and you head into an isolated and barren Central Otago 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. 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* Some careless child of the giants left their Tonka toy just sitting there. It's a fantastic, well-signposted cycling trail suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. The road from Styx is not recommended as it is not gravel and has several gates on it. There was little fuel to warm them, no food to sustain them. Historic buildings -dating back to the gold rush of the 1860s were saved or lovingly rebuilt on this higher ground. The Lake Dunstan Trail extends and complements the well-established Great Rides in Central Otago and the Southern Lakes, and provides a key link with the Otago Central Rail Trail and the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, both of which are part of Nga Haerenga - New Zealand Cycle Trails. Trail mark No 1 . The climate is extreme, like that of Continental Europe, with hot dry summers and freezing winters. A wagon team of six Clydesdale horses, the Cobb andCo coach, and ten other carts and wagons rode on before us. $1 trial for two weeks, thereafter $8.50 every two months, cancel any time. Check back soon to see our map of the Lakes Dunstan Trail. The Lake Dunstan Trail includes some remote terrain and challenging grade 3 riding. Or please provide your feedback by completing a trail survey so that improvements can continuously be made to the trail experience. Choose to learn from past experiences with the future generations in mind. Nine of our number were bundled into support vehicles suffering from hypothermia, but for the rest of us the blizzard blew and whipped for an eternity. However, it is recommended that you make all bookings for hire, transport and tours in advance, particularly during peak season (DecemberApril). 8.4km, Grade 23/easyintermediate, 11.5 hours. 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. Your email address will not be published. All up around two hundred kilometres with perhaps four thousand metres of climbing on mostly gravel and some more rugged, steep off-road sections. 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. Beyond the settlement of Pisa Moorings the trail crosses the 45th Parallel on its way to Lowburn where there are toilets and a car park. 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. 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. What are the benefits of being included on the List? 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. The official start of the route is a hill named Stalo kalnas in the centre of Vilnius, but you can start the route from any point or cover it in separate sections. There's numerous explanation boards detailing the history of settlement, and the construction of the Dam. The road, also known as The Dunstan Trail, ranges from a sealed road to a graveled track. Nationwide Intercity buses service Cromwell and Clyde. The climb was steady and it took us about two hours before the reservoir was revealed. We would shortly climb to Poolburn Reservoir, or Rohan Village as some may know it. The road ranges from a sealed road to a graveled track. The road is sealed at the start and turns to gravel after 9.2km. Bike hire, shuttles and tours are also available here. 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. This section of the Lake Dunstan Trail is a popular day ride or walk to / from Cromwell. Cellphone coverage is pretty reliable the whole length of the trail. It was designed to protect the river from a major land slide, which could overwhelm the Clyde Dam, a short distance downstream. 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. Weaving our way through countless scattered, jagged rocks kept the interest level up as plenty of holiday traffic passed us on the road. The Cairnmuir slide is an unique feature on the slopes above the Clutha River. Once the private chapel for St Joseph's Convent, the Mercy Room continues as a place of devotion for the Catholic community. View of road winding down Lammermoor Ranges towards Rocklands Station. Hartley and Reilly had lost their gold pan, and used bare hands and a broken shovel. Check out this great safety video to see whether this trail is right for you. After an exhilarating downhill, the trails reaches the impressive Hugo suspension bridge, 85.5m long and 28.6m high. We want your experiences too! If its wide open spaces free from man-made structures that youre after, get in quick. The new Dunstan Trail is the first stage of a 122km project linking Queenstown, . 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. Written by JULIET OCONNOR Taken By: M Kelly. Wellington 6142 Later horticulture and pastoral farming became features of the landscape. 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. I restarted my playlist of favourites in the hope it would reduce the suffering, or just distract us from it. The road was part of the original route called the Mountain Road taken by hardy people seeking their goldrush fortunes in the early 1860s, to travel from Dunedin to the goldfields in Central Otago. 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. It was before the approaching ridge, huzzah. Some sections can be exposed to high winds so check weather alerts. Alternatively, a fun way to start is to catch the train to Middlemarch or Pukerangi (see Otago Rail Trail). The trail then climbs out of the inlet to Carrick Winery which welcomes cyclists for wine-tasting and dining. You are still completely responsible for your decisions, your actions, and your safety. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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. Grade 1. Much of the route is only suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles or those with experience, and should only be attempted with a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon). 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. One prospector is said to have taken 200 ounces of gold from a crevice in a single panning. 10.7km, Grade 23/easyintermediate, 11.5 hours. 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. Today, the trail is a public road, ranging in quality from chip-sealed road to gravel track. 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. Its a lovely outing on bike or foot, with stupendous lake and mountain views, pretty picnic areas and swimming spots. with. We also slept in the same playground as that time. It's 46 km long. It was designed to protect the river from a major land slide, which could overwhelm the Clyde Dam, a short distance downstream. The trail is well constructed albeit narrow in places making 2 way passing tricky. Cashmere Sanatorium Open Air Shelter, Christchurch. Protect and celebrate our rich heritage in landscapes, architecture, flora, fauna and cultural heritage. The Lake Dunstan Track is a 55km (34mi) cycle trail that runs between Cromwell and Clyde in Central Otago. Is the Old Dunstan Road paved? From Poolburn, its 50 km mostly downhill to Alexandra. Hands and faces froze, and as rain turned to horizontal hail, bodies and steedsmoved closer together in the futile hope of finding shelter. This was one of the Think Big projects driven by the Muldoon led Government to diversify the economy and drive growth. 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. These tunnels are also used to mitigate against landslips into the Clutha River. The Dunstan Trail, also known as the Old Dunstan Road, is a historic route in Otago, New Zealand. Oddly, for Central Otago, we rarely spotted rabbits; they must have felt vibrations from the horses hooves well in advance of our arrival. The original road now traverses private farmland towards an area called Blackball. Copyright Ng Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails 2023. 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. Getting out the gully requires the trails biggest climb 130 vertical metres up the aptly named Cairnmuir Ladder. 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. Carry straight on and youll reach Highway 87 a few kilometres north of Mosgiel. In wet conditions, parts of the trail are unrideable because of sticky mud. A Ranfurly rider, David McAtamney, stole the show later with a farewell opera song, and Blue Jeans summed up the ride with a poem specially written for the occasion. Old Dunstan Road is the name of a 4x4 track/Adventure riding track located in Otago South Island of New Zealand. It can be done on a rainy day too but the road will change into a single mud track. Sign up for our newsletter and stay up to date with what's happening in Central Otago, Website crafted by This trail is generally smooth and mostly wide, however, there are some narrow sections with steep drop-offs that require extra care. 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. 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. 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. These tunnels are also used to mitigate against landslips into the Clutha River. Its 46.1 km (28.64 miles) long, running south-north from New Zealand 87 State Highway, at Clarks Junction to Upper Taieri-Paerau Road. This one was harder to find, but with a route description and a couple of maps we found it. There are a few fords to cross, thus better use a 4WD. 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. Speaking of fair clouds, the clouds were kind to us that day providing light cover and no rain. To share your ride story or trail tip you need to be logged in. With the help of the trees we hid behind, I was dry albeit very warm. 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. The trail is mostly grade 2 (easy) with some gentle hill climbs and tricky bits that push it to grade 3 (intermediate). The first power was generated in 1992. Crowding in for a not-really-a-summit selfie, and trying to get the bikes in too. Keep up to date with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. 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. (Bigger groups are advised to ring Coffee Afloat before they set off, as this helps with their logistics.) National Heritage Preservation Incentive Fund. XVIII. Also, writing this Im still most keen to have a go at my original plan. To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. In wet conditions, parts of the trail are unridable because of sticky mud. A more unknown part of New Zealand, but this trail is putting Cromwell on the map. Welcome to the official page for Lake Dunstan Cycle and Walking Trail, linking Clyde and Cromwell. Photo credits (clockwise from left): bennettandslater.co.nz (1); Tourism Central Otago Will Nelson (2, 3 & 4). The next 800-metre section of the old trail youre looking for has been ploughed up, but if you cycle along the northern side of the fence up towards the hills, youll soon pick up two historic cartwheel ruts in the grass. 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. Its a hard 71-km day from Paerau to Alexandra with a lot of uphill and heaps of downhill. Its numerous Baroque churches jostle for space amid glitzy restaurants and dilapidated old buildings that line its cobbled streets, while the student . Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Provisioning became a surer way ofmaking a fortune than panning. There's also a 16km section of trail that traces the pretty Lake Dunstan shore from Smiths Way to the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. 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. 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. Supplies were slow following. A dominant feature at the Clyde end of the trail isNew Zealands third largest hydro-dam, the Clyde Dam. A steep, walkable alternative is available for those with a fear of heights.
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