Otago Youth Adventure Trust
Milton Rotary Tramping Club

Clutha River Cycle Trails

2025 Dates now confirmed.

Bookings open Wednesday 10th July 2024 @ 9.15am

Price $1025.00

Trip 1. 13th -17th February 2025

Trip 2. 25th -29th March 2025

If you have any queries about any of our trips, please contact the trip co-ordinator 

ABOUT; 

Ride this spectacular trail over four nights to experience a bike trip that is only going to grow in popularity as more cyclists become aware of what an enjoyable ride it is. Combine this with stunning scenery in an area full of history of the lure of gold, fruit orchards, the mighty Clutha river and charming towns and it is a trip not to be missed.

ITINERARY;

Day 1; The trip leaves Dunedin at 1pm from the Leviathan Hotel, Dunedin and travels via the stunning Strath Taeiri and Maniototo Plain to Alexandra. Our accommodation for the next 2 nights is the Alexandra Motor Lodge. Here, we'll relax and get ourselves prepared for biking the next day.  

Day 2; LAKE DUNSTAN TRAIL We leave Alexandra and travel through to Cromwell where we'll meet up with our Bike Hire Company and have a quick practice on our bikes. We have lunch at "Old" Cromwell, then get on the bikes and the fun really begins! A spectacular ride through the Cromwell Gorge, with sections built around sheer rock faces (41km). From Clyde, we take the River Track to Alexandra (12km), a lovely meandering track with fabulous scenery.. We return to our accommodation at the Alexandra Motor Lodge. Warning: This part of the track is for experienced cyclists and must be taken with great care. The Dunstan Trail is graded 2-3 and is two-way. 

Dunstan Trail 

Alexandra River Track 

Day 3; ROXBURGH GORGE TRAIL From Alexandra the trail passes under the Alexandra Bridge, shortly passing the confluence of the Manuherikia River. The trail then enters the Roxburgh Gorge gaining height and giving views of past gold mining sites and dramatic 300 metre cliffs. The transition from an urban setting to remote gorge is dramatic. At Doctors Point (10km) we will board a boat and cruise Lake Roxburgh (13km) to Shingle Creek with an excellent commentary from the driver. From Shingle Creek the trail continues to the Roxburgh Dam (11km). CLUTHA GOLD TRAIL; We now join the Clutha Gold Trail and cycle to Roxburgh (10km), where we still stay at the Roxburgh Motels for the evening. In the afternoon there is an opportunity to swim at Pinders Pond, or explore Roxburgh. 

Roxburgh Gorge Trail 

Day 4; CLUTHA GOLD TRAIL The next day follows the Clutha River to Millers Flat, then to Beaumont and on to the historic Gold Mining town of Lawrence (63km). There are beautiful river views, rock formations, orchards and historical sites along the trail. We'll stay at Lawrence for the night, and may have time to explore Gabrielle's Gully, the site of the first major gold find in Otago which led to the gold rushes of the early 1860s which transformed the province.

Clutha Gold Trail 

Day 5; CLUTHA GOLD TRAIL From Lawrence to head through the Manuka Gorge then pass through Milton (the club's home base) and on to Waihola (62km). This section is brand new and due to open at the end of 2023. We then transport you back to Dunedin, arriving late afternoon. There may be time to explore Milton's famous R & J's Butchery (a fascinating Museum developed by one of our local identities).

NOTE;

• All accommodation is in motels/hotels with some participants sharing rooms.
• The Lake Dunstan Trail is a Grade 2-3. The Roxburgh Gorge Trail is mostly Grade 2 but does have some Grade 3 sections with steeper climbs and drops. The Clutha Gold Trail is Grade 2.
• We will have a back up team to assist and carry luggage and two cycling leaders to give low key assistance. Please note that the Dunstan Gorge, Roxburgh Gorge and Manuka Gorge Sections are very remote and have no road access.
• You will need a good quality mountain bike or E Bike. If you need to hire a bike, we will organise this on your behalf at an extra cost (Mountain Bike 29ner $TBC, E-Bike $TBC). The coordinator will be in touch after you have booked regarding bike hire and payment. (If you hire an E Bike, we highly recommend that you hire one locally before the trip to gain experience, as they do differ from a regular mountain bike). 

Trip Schedule