EXPEDITION DESCRIPTION

 

• Want the ultimate 4 wheel drive weekend getaway ?
• Want to explore Central Otago and the Southern Lakes region ?
• Want to choose your own 4WD tracks ?
• Want to select your own accommodation ?

 

On this tour we offer a selection of tracks and accommodation options. Simply select which tracks you would like to explore most from the options below, and design your own 4WD getaway weekend. You can also decide where in Central Otago you would like to stay Saturday night -  for example stay at an old 1860's pub in Naseby or return to Queenstown and enjoy the shopping, restaurants and night life as two examples (see each option for accommodation recommendations).

 

Rental vehicles available in Queenstown include, Landrover Discovery 4, Toyota Prado, Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Toyota Landcruiser flatdeck.

 

Contact us for recommendations around track choice, vehicle hire, accommodation, travel times and flight coordination.

 

 

ITINERARY OPTIONS

 

OPTION ONE | Queenstown and Skippers Canyon

 

Skippers Canyon provides magnificent high country vistas, the powerful Shotover River and incredible gold mining history and relics. Visit the restored 1879 Skippers School House, legendary 1901 Skippers Bridge, and follow up the mighty Shotover River. Your guide has travelled this road literally thousands of times, and we will have plenty of time to share stories and interpretation of the area's rich gold mining endeavours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPTION TWO | Kopuwai Conservation area, Old Woman / Old Man Range

 

Take a journey west following the Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell and Bannockburn. Head up the Cromwell end of the Nevis Road and climb to 1740m. Traverse the mountain tops with Lake Dunstan behind us, the Nevis Valley, Hector Mountains and The Remarkables on one side, and Central Otago and Alexandra on the other side -  the views are simply stunning! Plenty of time is allowed to investigate the amazing rock tors and soak in the vistas of this memorable region before heading back to your chosen accommodation (consider Clyde, Cromwell, Queenstown, Arrowtown).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPTION THREE | Nevis Valley

 

Leaving Queenstown, we head south following Lake Wakatipu to the small township of Garston. From here we gain altitude and climb up into the tussock country at the southern end of the Hector Mountains over the Nokomai Saddle. We then descend into the southern Nevis Valley to follow the Nevis River, the country opening out to a wide, barren, typical Otago high country valley. After numerous small fords and creek crossings, gold mining remnants including sluicing ponds, pipework and abandoned dwellings begin to litter the landscape.  Following lunch we leave the valley and river behind to climb up and over Duffers Saddle. We will spend time amongst the rock tors and enjoy the magnificent views over Lake Dunstan, Cromwell and the Pisa Range. Next, we drive down to the old 1858 township of Bannockburn where we stop at the local pub for a dust quenching drink and proceed to your chosen accommodation (consider Cromwell, Clyde, Queenstown, Arrowtown).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPTION FOUR | Poolburn and Serpentine

 

Leaving Queenstown, we head off to explore Central Otago's Poolburn Reservoir and parts of the Serpentine Track (the location of one of New Zealand's most remote churches). Built in the early 1930s for irrigation, the Poolburn Reservoir was a great depression employment initiative and its striking scenery has been popularised more recently as a filming location for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Consider the following accommodation options: Ophir, Alexandra, Clyde.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPTION FIVE | Naseby and Oteake Conservation Area

 

Nestled under the Hawkdun Range, the small 1860s village of Naseby is now home to only 120 people - it’s hard to believe it was once home to 4000 miners, 18 stores, 14 hotels, two butchers and a hospital! From Naseby we climb up the side of Mt Buster, enter the Oteake conservation area and travel on to the Keyburn gold diggings. We have ample time to explore the extensive exposed quartz reefs and workings. The rest of the day is spent traversing this remarkable range before heading back to your accommodation (consider Naseby, St Bathans, Danseys Pass).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPTION SIX | Danseys Pass and Omarama Saddle

 

Starting early in the day, we head up and over Danseys Pass, crossing the Kakanui Range from Central Otago to North Otago. We then follow the Waitaki Valley past Kurow to Benmore dam. After lunch at Omarama, we cross the Omarama Saddle where you can view Mt Aoraki / Cook, and drive alongside the Manuhererika River back into Central Otago and your accommodation for the night (consider St Bathans, Cromwell, Clyde, Arrowtown, Queenstown).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPTION SEVEN | Waikaia Bush Road

This is a big day. Starting early we head South to Lumsden and on to the small Southland township of Waikaia. From Waikaia we pass through stunning beech forest at Piano Flat beside the Waikaia river before the 4WD section starts. The Waikaia bush road climbs very steeply up to the tussock country. This track is not for beginners, it has extremely steep and narrow sections, rock steps and generally requires a good background in off roading. The rock steps require vehicles that have good entry and exit departure angles (Vehicles with low overhanging front or rear bumpers and tow-bars are not suitable for this trip). Once on the tops the countryside has commanding views over the Garvie and Umbrella mountains. Rock tors are a common feature in this landscape adding to the dramatic views. We have two main exit points for this trip, either the Obelisk and down to Alexandra, or extending on to Duffers saddle and Cromwell.

Due to safety with conditions, if it is wet or raining at Piano Flat we will not attempt this track.