Q. Where does the Roxburgh Gorge Trail run from and to?
A. The 33km trail runs from Alexandra to Lake Roxburgh Dam, in 3 stages;
• Alexandra town-ship to Doctors Point - 10kms
• Boat transfer Doctors point to Shingle Creek -25mins
• Shingle Creek to Lake Roxburgh Dam – 12 kms
Q. Are boat bookings essential and how will I book the boat?
A. Yes bookings are essential and can be done through the Alexandra i-SITE (03) 448 9515 or the Roxburgh Visitor Information Centre (03) 446 8920
Q. Will there be anywhere shady to sit and wait for the boat?
A. There is a flat area with minimal shade at the boat docking site at Doctors Point and adequate shading is available at Shingle Creek.
Q. Will Roxburgh Gorge Trail be open all year?
A. The trail will be open all year but the boat transfer will operate seasonally.
Q. How long will it take to travel the trail?
A. Cyclists will take between 3 and 6 hours to complete the trail depending on fitness levels and boat transfer connection times. Fit walkers would be expected to complete the trail in 8-10hours including the boat transfer. People can walk on the Roxburgh Gorge Trail as a shorter return trip from either end of the trail.
Q. Which side of the river does the track follow?
A. The Roxburgh Gorge Trail runs down the true right or western side of the river and most of the route it is located close to the river. However there is one section at the southern (Lake Roxburgh Dam) end where it climbs slowly away from the water to avoid a side stream (Elbow Creek).
Q. Who will be able to use the Trail?
A. People with a reasonable fitness level and cyclists should have some biking experience. The trail is built to a similar standard as the Otago Central Rail Trail and categorised as level 2-3 trail, with the greatest elevation on the Shingle Creek to Lake Roxburgh Dam section.
The route of the Trail is through a rugged and relatively isolated landscape, so you ride and walk this trail at your own risk. Walkers and bikers both able to use the trail, there is good visibility. Dogs will not be permitted on the trail because it passes through a rural environment.
Q. What is there to see in Roxburgh Gorge?
A. The section of the river the Roxburgh Gorge Trail passes through is truly one of New Zealand’s hidden gems. This stretch contains some of the best preserved relics from Central Otago’s gold mining past. You will see many European, Chinese and Maori archaeological sites on the trail that are protected under the Historic Places Act and must be respected.
From Alexandra, the trail makes its way quickly into the gorge. Within a kilometre all sign of Alexandra has disappeared and the sense of being in a remote wilderness area is complete. The gorge is encased within a valley that soars almost cliff-like over 350m on either side.
Wildlife is abundant; the magnificent NZ falcon the Karearea can often be seen soaring through the gorge. The trail is a sensory experience – the sense of solitude, the smell of thyme, the heat from the sun-baked rocks and the murmur of New Zealand’s largest river only metres away.
Q. What facilities are available on the trail? How far apart are the toilets?
A. No food and water is available on the trail, all supplies must be carried with you and all rubbish must be taken off the trail.
There are toilets at Alexandra, Doctors Point, Shingle Creek and Lake Roxburgh Village.