Dip a toe in Pinders Pond

Pinders Pond is the site of an old hydraulic elevation pond (dredge hole) formed by John Ewing who emigrated to New Zealand from Scotland in 1863. Around 1902, he moved to Roxburgh, forming the Teviot and Molyneux Gold Mining Company, and conducting sluicing operations at Pinders Pond. More like a small lake, it's a fine spot for a picnic or refreshing swim, with plenty of room for camping.

Directions: the pond can be found next to the trail approximately 5km from Roxburgh on the way to Millers Flat. You can't miss the car park and campground. Ride or walk up to the pond where you'll also find interpretation panels and toilets.

Picture-perfect Pinders Pond – a great place to picnic, swim or camp (Roxburgh.Guide)

Yarns of old at the historic Teviot Woolshed

Measuring almost 140m by 50m the Teviot woolshed used to be able to hold more than 8000 sheep – that’s ma-aaaaaaasive! In 1924 a fire destroyed much of the shed, leaving the stone walls and rounded façade that you can see today.

Directions: the signposted ruins are just over a kilometre from the Clutha Gold Trail, accessed via Loop Road from Teviot.

The historic Teviot Woolshed (Country, Farm & Garden)

Hitting pay dirt at Gabriels Gully

On 25 May 1861, Gabriel Read discovered gold here ‘shining like the stars of Orion on a dark frosty night.’ This find kicked off the Otago gold rush in earnest with the goldfield’s population ballooning to over 11,000 within a year.

Today, you can marvel at how the landscape was transformed with the miners literally moving mountains in their quest for gold. Walking tracks provide access to old relics including water races, stamper batteries, hydraulic sluicing faces and mine shafts, while evocative interpretation panels bring the gold mining stories back to life.

Directions: The Historic Reserve is located 3km from Lawrence accessed along Gabriels Gully Rd.

Gabriels Gully Historic Reserve (Department of Conservation)

Miners' claim at Blue Spur, Gabriels Gully (Te Papa Tongarewa collection)

Download the Great Rides App

This awesome (and free) app will help you locate this Great Ride's hidden secrets, and track your adventure using GPS (no mobile signal required). It also has maps, trail descriptions and info on trail services. 

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Find out more about the Clutha Gold Trail here.