Bendigo/Bannockburn
Otago South Island 2023
New Zealand
BendigoEven though it is the holiday season we still managed to freedom camp at Bendigo, with no problems apart from the heavy traffic noise (dogs and wifi ok) limit 3 nights.
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| Approx 14kms to Cromwell |
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| Lovely spot overlooking Lake Dunstan |
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| View from camp |
Bendigo Goldfields
Kanuka Track
We were lucky enough to have a cloudy day to do this walk even then it was hot going, classed as a moderate tramp with great views.
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| Wildflowers just starting to come out |
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| Lots of incredible rock formations |
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| Getting higher looking over the valley |
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| Lake Dunstan in the distance |
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| Well-laid-out vineyard |
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We can see the end of lake Dunstan
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| 11km-5hr loop track |
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| If your fit it can be done in just over half our time |
On the 2nd day, we drove back up to do a short walk around the mine shafts and tailings.
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| Walking tracks |
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| Information boards at the bottom of the hills |
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| We walked to Welshtown Matilda Battery |
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| House remains |
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| View over the valley with no clouds today |
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| One of many shafts |
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| Looking down on the Matilda Battery |
Bannockburn
Scottland POP
We moved to Scottland in Bannockburn approx 10km from Cromwell town centre and handy to the cycle trails, it was nice to get away from the traffic. No pets or kids are allowed as there are high cliffs, wifi ok.
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| All set up and time for coffee with Glen our neighbour that we met 3 years ago when we first went on the road in the far north of the north island |
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| Camp view |
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| Nice to see a protective roof on this old house |
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| Ancient fruit trees |
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| Pears and Apricots |
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| More beautiful vineyards |
Water dam wall
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| The caves aren't deep |
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| More summer wildflowers |
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| 4km-1.33mins loop track well worth doing |
Nevis Valley Road
4WD vehicles only open from November to April
No foot or bicycle traffic is allowed.
66.8km - 1,872m Elevation gain point to point.
Starting at Bannockburn we got into Garston 5&1/2 hours later for coffee. 20 plus creek crossings and plenty of stops for photos and look at the history along the way.
I drove following Glen in his 4WD Ford, it has been dry weather so all the creeks were down lower than when Glen had done it 2 weeks ago.
This was our first adventure in 4WD made easy by following Glen.
Then we took the sealed route home via Queenstown etc the traffic was a crazy busy Friday total day out 7 hours - 200kms
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| Still going up |
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| Looking over toward Lake Dunstan |
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| This side of the mountains has a better road |
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| Frog |
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| This rock has ears |
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| Frog and Glen |
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| Andrew |
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| No beer at this pub |
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| Lower Nevis Cemetery |
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| All in the middle of nowhere |
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| Shepherd's hut we stopped for lunch here |
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| Southland ski club hut |
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| Nearly there |
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| Just gotta get down the hill |
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| Signs at the end of the road |
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| We stopped in Garston for coffee |
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| Now for the long drive home on the sealed road |
Bruce Jackson Lookout Loop Walk
A short walk of just over 2kms-1hr up then down and steep.
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Nice view from the top
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| Enough on a hot day |
Quartz Reef Point Walk
Pleasant short walk to view the remains of the old herringbone goldmine workings, Lake Dunstan and the Pisa Range.
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2.3km - 99mtr elevation gain - out & back
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