Beginner's Gold

The Clutha Gold Trail is part of the Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand network and stretches from Roxburgh Dam in Central Otago’s Teviot Valley, to Waihola on the east coast of the Clutha District. The trail is 135km long and comprised of a wide, well-formed gravel surface with a few gentle undulations. Rated a grade 2 (easy) trail it’s ideal for beginners and those tackling their first multi-day ride.  

The trail is usually ridden over 3-4 days at a leisurely pace, with bike tour companies offering bike hire (including e-Bikes) and daily baggage transfers to your next night’s accommodation meaning you only need carry a small daypack with you.

Riders can start at any point along the trail and do as much or as little as they like. It’s a popular option for half-day or day rides, especially for families and active retirees who may not have ridden a bike for a while. There are seven trail towns (villages, really) along the way which offer accommodation for cyclists and warm hospitality at local cafes or pubs. 

During the Otago Gold Rush (which started in 1861 at Gabriel’s Gully, just off the trail in Lawrence), the Clutha River | Mata Au and its tributaries were heavily mined for alluvial gold. The river was colloquially referred to by miners as “the golden river,” due to the richness of its gold deposits.

Hence, the Clutha Gold Trail is named after both the Clutha River, which the trail follows for about 50km between Roxburgh Dam and Beaumont, and it also celebrates the river’s heritage as that “golden river” of the 1860’s as well as the wider goldmining history of the region.

Mostly flat or gently undulating and no traffic
The easy (grade 2) trail is on well-formed gravel paths, with trail towns regularly spaced along the way for coffee and lunch stops. The trail is off-road, meaning no traffic, although it does cross main road from time to time, so care needs to be taken.

It’s only 135km long
OK, so this might sound initially daunting, but broken into 3-4 days the distances are totally doable, especially with a wee boost from a e-Bike and with regular stops along the way for snacks and sightseeing.

Easy logistics
One of the best things about the Clutha Gold is how easy it is to organise your trip. You’ll be as good as gold, thanks to local bike tour companies who’ve got all the bases covered. These experienced operators will take care of everything you can possibly think of, plus some stuff you probably haven’t even thought of yet! Accommodation, bike hire (including e-Bikes), transfers and often bookings for evening meals are all included in the deal.
8 Benefits of Booking with a Bike Tour Company

Natural shade – ideal for summer riding
The Clutha Gold Trail follows the tree-lined Clutha River for over 50km, offering not only beautiful views of the river and surrounding countryside, but cool, shady riding which can be a welcome relief on hot Central Otago days. Once you leave the river behind at Beaumont, the trail continues to offer regular wooded sections out of the full sun.

Wind avoidance
The trail is more sheltered than some of the other Great Rides, especially along the riverbanks and through wooded areas - which can make for a calmer, more pleasant ride for new cyclists with less chance of having to battle into a head wind.

Off the beaten track... but not too remote
The Clutha Gold Trail is generally less busy than some of the more well-known Great Rides, which means a more peaceful and personal experience - ideal for first-timers looking to ease into bike-touring.

Variety and ever changing scenery
The Clutha Gold includes shaded gorges, tunnels, farmland, native bush, lakeside boardwalks through wetlands, riverside riding and gold mining heritage sites. You still get the tunnels, historic bridges, and the charm of gold mining towns made famous on other Great Rides, but there’s also a scenic change as you transition from Central Otago towards coastal Otago.

Roxburgh to Waihola is the more common direction of travel along the trail, with most of the bigger bike tour operators servicing the Clutha Gold Trail from hubs in Alexandra, Cromwell or Clyde. But there’s no real advantage or disadvantage to riding the trail in either direction.

Here’s an easily achievable itinerary for your first trip, but if you’re booking via a tour company, they can help plan your schedule and can customise it to suit your timeframe, budget and riding ability. 

Not quite ready for a full four-day ride? No problem. Half-day and full-day rides are popular too with bike hire and return transfer options available.

Day 1: Roxburgh Dam to Millers Flat (29km)
Highlights: Riding across the impressive Roxburgh Dam, gorgeous river views, lunch in Roxburgh with fresh fruit from the orchards of the Teviot Valley or a visit to the world-famous-in-NZ Jimmys Pies. Not far from Roxburgh, Pinders Pond is a great spot for a picnic with safe swimming.

Day 2: Millers Flat to Lawrence (44km)
Highlights: a detour to visit the Horseshoe Bend Bridge and Lonely Graves, bring a head torch for Big Hill Tunnel, and don’t miss Gabriel’s Gully just outside Lawrence – the site where gold was initially discovered in 1861.

• Saddle comfort - yes, your butt might feel it to begin with, but it gets easier! Padded cycling shorts are a must and gel seat covers are readily available from bike hire companies.
• Staying hydrated – make sure you have enough water to get between each trail town, especially during the height of summer. A good supply of snacks is also a great idea.
• Mobile coverage – there is generally good cell phone coverage along the Clutha Gold Trail, but there are some patches where reception may drop out, particularly on more remote sections.
• Trail signage – it’s hard to get lost on the Clutha Gold Trail, as it has excellent signage and the trail is easy to follow.
• Trail etiquette – expect to share the trail with other cyclists and walkers, ring your bell when approaching other trail users or call out a friendly “good morning”. More on trail etiquette here.
• e-Bikes – “range anxiety” is a thing! In other words, worrying about your battery lasting the duration. However, this shouldn’t be an issue on the Clutha Gold Trail as most itineraries are well within the range of e-Bike batteries, but it pays to check where the next e-Bike charging location will be (usually at your accommodation each evening). 
  Check out our essential guide to e-Bikes.
• Weather – always check the weather forecast before you depart, and consider delaying your trip if bad weather is expected. Slip, slap, slop in summer and always take an extra layer or two with you in case thee weather changes unexpectedly. Check the Central Otago regional forecast here, and Clutha District here. 

The Clutha Gold Trail is pure cycling gold for beginners. It’s scenic, stress-free, and offers just the right amount of challenge to make you feel proud without needing a post-holiday chiropractor.

So, book that trip, and discover how much fun multi-day biking can be. The hardest part of the ride might just be deciding which trail to ride next?...