Kawarau Gorge Gold Mining Circuit

The Kawarau Gorge Gold Mining Circuit follows old pack tracks and sluicing channels carved by Chinese miners in the 1860s gold rush. Starting near Cromwell, this technical loop drops into the gorge through schist outcrops and across multiple creek crossings before climbing back to the plateau through abandoned hydraulic workings. The Devils Creek ford at the circuit’s halfway point is the real deal — a rocky crossing that requires precise wheel placement and commitment when the water’s up.

This is genuine technical 4WD country demanding rock crawling skills and proper traction aids. Summer’s the only viable season as winter ice makes the schist slabs lethal. No official permits but respect private mining claims still active in some areas. Pack recovery gear, extra water, and a first aid kit — cell coverage is patchy and help’s a long way off. The reward is some of Central Otago’s most dramatic gold rush history, plus camping spots with million-dollar views of the Remarkables.