Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold Trails

Before we left Central Otago we completed a couple more rides on our bikes.

Looking south down the Clutha River.

A new trail has been created along the western side of the Clutha River between Alexandra and Roxburgh. Unfortunately it is still incomplete as one landowner is not allowing the trail to go through his property so at the moment there is a 10km ride to Doctor’s Point, a 12km boat ride and then the final 10km ride to the  Roxburgh Dam. We had heard from several people that the 10km ride to Doctor’s Point was an excellent ride so we made a point one afternoon (after the hottest part of the day) to check it out for ourselves.

And we weren’t disappointed. It was a more challenging ride than the Rail Trail but well worth the effort. It follows the Clutha along through the gorge down to an area called Doctor’s Point. This is an historic gold mining site (most is on the other side of the river which can be reached by boat or walking) with some dwellings still intact. It is hard to believe that anyone could live in such conditions, especially in the harsh climate this area can dish up.

On our way to Invercargill we were keen to experience the next trail which is the Clutha Gold. As we passed by the Roxburgh Dam, we left the car there and continued down to Pinder’s Pond, our camp site for the night. Once we were settled we headed back on our bikes to the Dam to collect the car. This was an easy 14 km ride along the banks of the Clutha, with all that water that courses through it.  The following morning we took the car and the bikes further down the river to Miller’s Flat and from here we rode back the 15km to the bus before we decamped and headed south to Gore and then on to Invercargill.

Riding north along the Clutha River between Roxburgh and the Dam.

 

Signage for the Clutha Gold Trail

at the Dam and Miller's Flat.

We had just a couple of small problems at Pinder’s Pond. At Lake Dunstan it was rabbits that enjoyed the lettuces. This time it was a couple of chooks. At first we thought that one of the mobile homes were travelling with live stock to supply their daily eggs, but as it turned out these two chooks seemed to be residents in the area. I am sure that they thoroughly enjoyed their dinner of lovely sweet lettuce.  It seems gardening can have  its ups and downs no matter where you are.