Checking out Cromwell

So it was going to another short travel day for us to get from Wanaka to Cromwell (check out the previous blog HERE) – just the way we like it.

Spoilt for Choice in Cromwell

Cromwell must be one of the only places that offer the choice of two NZMCA Parks in close proximity to each other.  Lowburn NZMCA Park (#8673) is located approximately 6km out of Cromwell township (on SH6/Luggate-Cromwell Rd).

We cast an eye over the park as we drove past Lowburn as this was going to be our ‘Plan B’.  We were heading to the other park – Rotary Glen (#8675).  It does pay to have a backup if you are wanting to stay here as there are strict Resource Consent restrictions with this park.

A great location but be prepared for dust when it’s dry, a bit of mud in the wet and loads of rabbits

There is a limit of only 10 vehicles to be overnight camping at any one time.  It is a shame as it is a very large, flat area which is close to cycle trails, the township and Lake Dunstan.

Luckily for us, we were vehicle number 7, although 2 more left just after we arrived so we were well within the limits for the park.

Cromwell Cycle Trails

After setting up basecamp, we got the bikes ready and we hit the cycle trail which follows the lake edge into town.

Sidling along the shoreline of Lake Dunstan is an easy, relatively flat trail which takes you all the way to the Cromwell Historic Precinct and beyond.  You can meander along the shoreline through McNulty Inlet, passing under Cromwell Bridge, otherwise known as Deadmans Point.

It’s a trail of changing scenery along Lake Dunstan

They have extended the track through to Bannockburn Bridge.  Work continues on extending the trail even further but one of the locals told us that it gets really technically challenging further along.  I didn’t need any further encouragement not to continue, so we looped back along a trail which followed the road back into town.

There is also evidence of the old Cromwell, a reminder of how it ‘used to be’

Cycling further up past basecamp at Rotary Glen you eventually make your way to the NZMCA Lowburn Camp and further along to Pisa Moorings.

By the time we’d finished our day’s cycling, we had clocked up nearly 40km so it was a great day out in the saddle.

Cromwell Historic Precinct

Upon the completion of the Clyde Dam in 1992, the valley behind the dam was flooded to create Lake Dunstan.  This flooding completely engulfed the main street and the businesses within it.

We’re so thankful to the volunteers who worked hard so we can still enjoy the ‘old Cromwell’

To preserve the town’s gold mining and pioneering past, dedicated volunteers painstakingly moved some of the buildings from Cromwell’s original town centre to higher ground.  Some of these historic buildings dated back to the gold rush of the 1860s.

Visitors can now wander through the historic buildings (for free) which include London House Stables, Captain Barry’s cottage, the Cobb & Co Store, Belfast Store and Jolly’s Seed & Grain Store.

How the town was before the flood

The old town includes local artists and galleries where you can pick up anything from reminders of days gone by, or the latest homeware and decorations.  With local art galleries on display, Old Cromwell is part of the Central Otago Arts Trail.

It is also a great place to stop for a coffee (or something stronger) and a bite to eat and watch the activities of the busy precinct or take in the peaceful aqua vista of Lake Dunstan.

We also spent some time in the small museum which shows photos of the old main street, the business’ that plied their trade and the way the landscape used to look pre-Clyde Dam days.

It’s also a great spot for a cuppa, cake (or something stronger)

The 4 Barrels Wine Trail

We donned our jackets, braved the wind and rain and proceeded to walk The 4 Barrels Walking Wine Trail.  You can join this track at the rear of the Rotary Glen NZMCA Park or just outside the front gate.

The 4 Barrels Walking Wine Trail is a self-paced, free walking tour of four Central Otago’s premium wine tasting rooms.  We picked up a brochure at the local Information Centre.  As you will be aware, Central Otago boasts some of the world’s leading wineries and we were keen to sample some of the local delights.

The 8-kilometre loop trail includes Misha’s Vineyard, Aurum Wines, Scott Base and Wooing Tree Vineyard, as well as capturing some wonderful scenery through orchards and around Lake Dunstan.

We only managed 2 out of the 4 wineries (have to save something for next time)

We completely missed the first winery on the map (Aurum Wines) and we hadn’t even started drinking yet!!  Eventually, we ended up at Wooing Tree to sample 5 of their wines.  I’m particularly fond of their Blondie (a white Pinot Noir) so we purchased a bottle which we could leave there for collecting later.

Soldiering on, we made it to Misha’s Vineyard Tasting Room which was conveniently located next to The Stoaker Room. 

The Stoaker Room

The Stoaker is an outdoor cooking system made out of rustic converted wine barrels.  The oak and steam combine to create the most delicate smokey flavour without being too overpowering.  

Oh my……..one of the platters on offer (and this was the smallest!!!)

We decided on a shared x3 kinds of meat platter which were accompanied by roasted vegetables.  It was absolutely delicious, especially washed down with a wine tasting paddle of x4 ‘Wild Earth’ wines from the local area.  The Stoaker Room has gone to the top of the list of our favourite dining out locations.  It was also reasonably priced at only $56 which included our drinks. 

The all-important Stoaker Barrels! We could do with one of these at home…..oh if we had a home!!

As for completing The 4 Barrels Wine Trail, well it was a fail……we were both too full of food and drink to do justice to the final 2 wineries.  We need to save some for our next visit to Cromwell after all.

Bendigo Historic Reserve

Located approximately 20km from Cromwell (on SH6), you will find Bendigo Historic Reserve.  This is a huge area consisting of over 1085 hectares which are divided into 3 different areas.  Once you turn off the main road, you travel through the old Bendigo township and the ruins of the old schoolhouse.  Making your way up the hill you get to the historic sites of Logantown and Welshtown.  

There are plenty of opportunities to explore what’s left of that important and colourful part of the region’s past and made it what it is today.

There is a lot of evidence of mining activity in the late 19th century.  Most of the foundations of the stamper battery sites are where they were abandoned.  Mining shafts are also a feature so extreme care must be taken as most are fenced, but some still lie abandoned and forgotten.

Plenty of signage for all the different options available

Stick to the paths to avoid falling down one of the many mineshafts

Welshtown

The views from Welshtown are spectacular

You will find parking, toilets and information panels when you get to the end of the road.  There are also options on which trails you want to walk, depending on time and ability.  Most of the area is ‘wander at will’ (though carefully!) around the numerous tracks.  They all start at the Welshtown carpark.  It is a good idea to drive to the end of the road to visit Welshtown first and then call into Logantown on the way back.

The ruins of Welshtown offer so many photo opportunities

From the carpark, you will instantly see several old dwellings scattered around the grassy hill.  We walked to the Matilda Battery from here which took around 15 minutes one way.  We passed more ruins along the way, including the blacksmith’s quarters and several old mine shafts.  There is, in fact, an estimated 52 mine shafts in and around Welshtown and Logantown.  The mine loop track is around 45 minutes.

Just another ‘wow’ moment

 Logantown

After exploring Welshtown, we jumped in the car and headed back down the hill.  We located the sign for Logantown.  It is a little difficult to find but we parked up and walked back up a side road.  We soon found evidence of where the town once stood.  The town once consisted of at least 3 hotels, butchery, bakery and many miners huts scattered along the roadside.

The ruins aren’t as extensive as Welshtown but it is still worth checking out.

The old with the new – relics at Logantown

‘Come in Time’ Battery

We drove back onto the main highway.  We located Thomson Gorge Road as we wanted to find the ‘Come in Time’ restored battery.  The road is a ‘dry weather’ road and there are many gates to open and close.  Despite this, the scenery is truly breathtaking.  Although we were only about 12 km from Bendigo, we could have been a world away.  

Still part of the Bendigo Historic Reserve it was an area that was also worked over during the ever-growing gold rush.  The Come-in-Time quartz reef was the last one discovered at Bendigo. 

The old mine on the way to the battery is worth an explore (take a torch)

We located the signposted walk down to the mine entrance and battery.  It is worth taking a torch to explore the opening of the mine.  It extends 60 metres into the hillside.

The battery is located another 15-minute walk down the hill and has recently been restored.  It is now a complete example of this type of heavy gold mining equipment.

one of the best-restored batteries we’ve seen

The constant banging of those batteries, 24/7 must have echoed amongst those hills and valleys.  It would have been heard for miles around.

Some of the cableway gear is still visible high up on the opposite slope.  This was used to transport ore from the neighbouring valley in the early 1900s.

Summary

Cromwell is a pretty town which is rich in history, both from the past and more present.  There is a lot more to do in the area.  We’re looking forward to returning again in the near future to tick more off the list.

Click on the link below for a video of our highlights.