Aorere Goldfields Track

Track category

Tramping track
Mountain bike - Intermediate

Time:

3 hr circuit

Description

Mountain bikers on Aorere Goldfields
Track

From the Aorere Goldfields car park a 4WD track passes an old ground-sluicing claim worked in the 1880s and continues onto the large open area partly covered by pakihi vegetation which is Druggan's Flat. From here the track climbs steadily, passing a side track that leads to the untouched bush of Stanton's Creek. It then follows part of the original benched miners' track. At the first junction, continue straight ahead. On the right you pass the end of a water race and a tunnel before the short side track to Stafford's Cave.

Stafford's Cave and Ballroom Cave (accessed by short side tracks a little further on) can both be explored if you are equipped with appropriate clothing, a torch and some care. Early miners recorded their names on some of the formations within these caves; please take care not to disturb these. Ballroom Cave is reputed to have been used by miners as a venue for dances.

From here it is another 20-30 minutes to the dam. On a fine day your effort is rewarded on this section of the track with excellent views of the Wakamarama and Burnett ranges, Ruataniwha Inlet and north to Farewell Spit. Immediately prior to the dam is the dam outlet, a tunnel cut through the rock, terminating in an iron control gate. Please do not enter this tunnel.

Once at the reservoir, a good place to have a break or lunch is on the left as you follow the track around the water's edge, past the race intake control on top of Druggan's Dam. From the dam the track climbs around the side of the reservoir. A further 20 minutes takes you to a junction in the track. After a few minutes' walk the track joins a 4WD (or mountain bike) track. turn right and follow it downhill back to the car park. Alternatively, from the track junction you may take the short track, which links back to the first junction, and so retrace the first part of the track back to the car park.

Getting there

From Collingwood follow the Aorere Valley inland. After 7 kilometres, turn off the main road at Rockville where Aorere Goldfields and Devil's Boots are signposted. Follow the road and rough farm track past Devil's Boots for another 2 kilometres until you reach the Aorere Goldfields car park.

Activities

Historic sites

The Aorere Goldfields Track gives you access to explore some of the more accessible gold-mining remnants, including the Slate River Sluicing Company Dam ('Druggans Dam') and the Aorere Caves.

Mountain biking

This area is great for mountain biking. From the carpark, the 4WD road to Appos Flat makes an excellent ride. The round trip back to the carpark takes 3-4 hours. Good fitness and moderate technical skill are required. Please follow the mountain bikers' code at all times.

The following MTB code was developed by the New Zealand MTB Association (NZ MBA) in liaison with key stakeholders and DOC.

Respect others

• Stay in control. So you can safely avoid others and keep yourself intact.
• Give way to walkers.
• Use a bell or greeting when approaching others. Most negative feedback from walkers on shared-use tracks concerns being surprised by bikers approaching without warning.
• Ride shared-use tracks in small groups. A 'bike-train' with a dozen riders displaces other users. 6-8, or less, is a better number.

Respect the rules

• Only ride MTB and shared-use tracks; stay off closed tracks - including those that are seasonally closed to protect the surface or minimise conflict with other users. Land managers are generally pretty reasonable so talk with them about issues or ideas you may have.
• Be prepared - take food, water, tools, First Aid and warm clothes. Plan for the unexpected - a change in the weather, an accident or getting lost and late.
• Obtain permission from private landowners before you set out.
• Leave gates as you find them either open or closed to keep stock where they are intended to be.

Respect the track

• Don't skid, cut corners or make new lines. Skidding creates water channels and causes erosion. Use both brakes to slow down without skidding as you approach a corner. Cutting corners is cheating and damages fragile ecosystems.
• Avoid riding in the mud and rain. Both bikes and walkers damage soft, wet tracks.
• Clean your bike to prevent spreading weeds like gorse and didymo.
• Take rubbish home - like banana skins, old tubes and snack wrappers. Rubbish in the outdoors detracts from everyone's experience.

Respect public access easements

Some mountain bike rides travel along public access easements through private land. All easements and tracks are well marked. Please:

• Stay on the public easement track.
• Leave gates as you find them.
• Do not disturb stock - cycle slowly through livestock areas.

Hunting

Hunting in Aorere-Boulder Lake area

Hunting in Golden Bay

Plan and prepare

Boots and a degree of fitness are recommended. As there is little shade along the track, sun protection is also required.