Roxburgh Gorge – New Zealand's Grand Canyon
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Lake Roxburgh Walkway C lu th a Roxburgh gorge – R iv e r r e v / ALEXANDRA i M R OTAGO CENTRAL a RAIL TRAIL New Zealand’s Grand Canyon ta 85 - 8 ia A k u ri e h u This historic trail follows an old bridle path that n a M brought coal to the gold mining dredges on the Clutha River/Mata-Au from the 1890s until the YOU ARE HERE 1930s. G r av ey ar d G ully LAKE ROXBURGH WALKWAY 7–10 hr, 20 km return Graveyard Gully to Butchers Point – 4 km You may see skinks basking on the rocks. Photo: Barrie Wills IL Walking and mountain biking track A R T Y A INTERMEDIATE E W From Graveyard Gully the trail follows an old bridle G K R L O A path through a rugged and remote gorge to Butchers Point, G W H G H a mining settlement that lasted for over 30 years. Today, R G U R 8 B U historic tailings and miners’ shelters remain. X B O X R O R E K Butchers Point to Doctors Point – 6 km A L k e re Tramping track (not recommended for biking) C Butchers s er ch Point But Beyond Butchers Point the track becomes narrow and rough, with exposed bluff sections. The route continues to the bluffs h Butchers g r where sheer rock faces drop vertically to the lake below. Past Dam u b x the bluffs you will enter the Doctors Point workings, first o R dug in 1877 and continuing fitfully until the 1930s. Here you e k a will find a maze of stacked stone tailings, dams, water races, L tunnels and huts. Gold miners were active throughout this remote gorge. Across Lake Roxburgh you will see further evidence of Doctors Point workings. Photo: Barrie Wills mining dotted along the (non-DOC) Roxburgh Gorge Trail. FLAT TOP HILL CONSERVATION AREA This entire track is on private land. Please show respect by following the Leave No Trace code. Historic areas like this are easily destroyed. Remember that historic artefacts, including earth and stone- works, are protected by law. Tread N carefully and take only photographs. 0 1 km Doctors Point Clutha River dredge, Christmas 1937. Photo: Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery YOUR SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TRACK GRADES Check, Clean, Dry. Mineshafts and tunnels: Walking track: Stop the spread of There are old and very deep Well formed, easy walks from a few didymo and other mining shafts throughout this minutes to a day. freshwater pests. area. Stay on the track. Remember to Check, Tramping track: Clean, Dry all items before Weather extremes: The Mostly unformed but with track entering, and when moving conditions here are harsh and directional markers, poles or cairns. between, waterways. very changeable. The track 5 simple rules to help you stay safe: Mountain bike: can be covered in ice in winter 1. Plan your trip INTERMEDIATE Intermediate Grade 3 and extremely hot and dry in 2. Tell someone 3. Be aware of the weather Steep slopes and/or avoidable obstacles, summer, and the climate can 4. Know your limits possibly on narrow track and/or with swing to either extreme in the 5. Take sufficient supplies For more information visit: poor traction. There may be exposure course of a day. Bring suitable mountainsafety.org.nz at the track’s outside edge. clothing and sturdy footwear. R100074.