Clutha Gold Trail

The Clutha Gold Trail.

The trail offers 73km of cycling from the Lake Roxburgh Dam to the historic gold mining town of Lawrence in Central Otago. 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.

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

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 is also being extended from Lawrence to Waihola via Milton. This will be officially opened in September 2023. Keep a look out for updates.
Highlights include; tunnels and some amazing boardwalks – do not forget the very cool bridges.

Suggested Itinerary

Self guided 3 days 2 night

(Usually combined with the Roxburgh Gorge Trail but can be done on its own)

Day 1: Roxburgh Gorge Trail
Cycle; Clyde to Alexandra via the 150th Anniversary Walkway, then cycle the Roxburgh Gorge Trail to Roxburgh Dam or Roxburgh town

Day 2: Clutha Gold Trail
Cycle; Roxburgh Dam or Roxburgh Town to Millers Flat or Beaumont

Day 3: Clutha Gold Trail
Cycle; Millers Flat or Beaumont to Lawrence

Click here for a more detailed Itinerary

Click here for a downloadable map