Clutha Gold Trail

The Clutha Gold Trail.

The trail offers 135km of cycling from the Lake Roxburgh Dam through the historic gold mining town of Lawrence in Central Otago and on to Waihola (15mins from Dunedin airport).
Cyclists follow the route of the Clutha River through the fruit growing Teviot Valley – famous for its summer and autumn fruits, to Millers Flat before joining the existing Millennium track. Then this takes you through the stunning Beaumont Gorge. At Beaumont you will say goodbye to the river as you head inland to Lawrence, a town rich in character and history. Leaving Lawrence, the trail gently climbs and traverses rolling farmland before you get to the small settlement of Waitahuna. There you can enjoy a coffee and refreshments from the coffee cart at the historic Waitahuna Railway Station and goods shed – remember to check their Facebook page for operating hours.

Then it is onwards to Milton, gently undulating and partially following the old railway corridor through rail cuttings and includes two tunnels and a viaduct. Make sure you remember a torch. You’ll also pass through some picturesque woodland glades. Another point to note is that the trail crosses the main road several times and there are some short sections where the trail shares public gravel roads.

From Milton the trail follows a wide, flat floodplain and includes 1.6km of boardwalk traversing lakeside wetlands and the shores of Lake Waihola, a melting pot of nature, history and wildlife.

The lake was once used as a shortcut during the famous Otago gold rush. Greedy gold diggers would hop on a paddle steamer up the Taieri River, cross the lake and trek over the hills to Lawrence.

Just around the corner from the village centre is a beautiful lakeside picnic area, the perfect place to enjoy your food while soaking up lakeside vibes.

The Clutha Gold trail is well graded and suitable for everybody. There are a number of off-trail excursions also available. From Millers Flat whilst riding the trail, you can access Horseshoe Bend Bridge via a short walk and the Lonely Graves. The highlight of the section from Beaumont is Big Hill Tunnel. You then ride into Lawrence and are immersed in the Gold Mining history of the area – do not miss the museum at the back of the Information Centre.

Highlights

Riding along the banks of the Mighty Clutha (Mata-Au) River
Historic Gold Mining sites
Orchards with the most amazing summer fruits
Beaumont Gorge with Horseshoe Bend Bridge and a short deviation to the Lonely Graves
Amazing new state highway bridge at Beaumont
Big Hill Tunnel
The Chinese Miners Village
Lawrence Township – the museum is a must.
Gabriels Gully, the location of NZ’s first significant discovery of gold
Two tunnels, Manuka Gorge and Mt Stuart
Amazing bridges constructed by Calder Stewart heading north from Milton
Lake Waihola boardwalks

Trail Build

Construction of the trail began in 2011, it was aimed at providing locals and visitors with a unique cycling / walking experience. Over the course of its development, skilled workers and many volunteers meticulously crafted a well-designed cycle way. The construction process involved careful consideration of the region’s natural landscape, incorporating stunning vistas, historic sites, and river crossings. Today, the completed Clutha Gold Trail stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of the community, showcasing the region’s rich history and offering an unforgettable adventure to all who explore it.

Trail Extension

The trail has been extended from Lawrence to Waihola via Milton. This will was officially opened on 25th August 2023.
Highlights include; tunnels and some amazing boardwalks – do not forget the very cool bridges.