We're back out exploring! In this episode we head head through Thompsons Gorge, head up Mt Moka for a quick look before making our way over to Skippers Canyon Road, also know as New Zealand's "Most Dangerous Road" and out towards the abandoned town where we were blown away with how epic it was! Exploring the South Island in winter is pretty amazing!
Climbing over the tops through the gorge in Central Otago, this farm track links the Bendigo area with the Omakau end. It connects nicely with Hawksburn Road for a day out of Queenstown, and works well as a back-country run towards St Bathans and the Manuherikia.
The views across the gorge and down to the stream are the main draw, and there's a real slice of history near the top. An old gold mining area sits up there with a tunnel and battery, well worth the short walk.
Surface is mostly gravel and farm road, with some steep climbs and descents and a few shallow water crossings. The steep, loose sections can carry big ruts, so low range comes in handy and a 4WD is the safe bet. The crossings are usually shallow but can get deeper and trickier after rain, so it's best in dry weather.
Be ready for a lot of gates, somewhere around 16 to 20, especially towards the Omakau end, so allow extra time to open and close them.
A handy link between Alexandra, Clyde and Bannockburn, this farm and gravel route is a favourite way into the back of Bannockburn and through to Nevis Road, which saves you the gorge traffic. Plenty of drivers carry on through Carrick town and up to Duffers Saddle, where you can drop into the Nevis or loop back round to Bannockburn.
The surface mixes seal, gravel and alpine rock as it climbs high into open country, with views over the hills towards Clyde and Cromwell that stretch as far as you can see. Near the top, park by a pylon and walk a short single track to a good lookout back towards Alexandra.
There's a big climb at the start and a few steep descents, so go easy on your brakes and transmission. Low-range comes in handy on the steeper slopes, but otherwise it's an easy drive most 4WDs will manage. Several gates to open and close along the way, so it pays to bring a mate. Best kept to dry weather, since some sections turn to an ice rink after rain.
High in the hills above Queenstown, this gravel road runs into one of the country's best-known gold-mining landscapes. Often billed as one of New Zealand's most dangerous roads, the driving itself isn't hard, but it's extremely narrow with massive cliff drop-offs and few passing places. Take it slow and watch for oncoming traffic, including the Canyon Jet buses that run the road.
Stock 4x4s will manage it easily, though some patches get muddy and rutted in the wet. The payoff is unreal canyon scenery and a lot of preserved history. The 1862 gold rush brought thousands of miners here, and at its peak Skippers had a post office, hall, hotel, stores and a school. The school closed in 1927, became a woolshed, sat derelict for around 20 years, then DOC restored it in 1992. The old class photos are well worth a look.
Take your time to read the information boards and keep an eye out for wild goats. You can camp at the old Skippers township too. A good day trip and well worth the journey.