The Clutha River has played a significant role in the history and economy of the region
The Clutha River, Mata-Au in Māori, is New Zealand's second longest river, flowing through the regions of Otago and Southland on the South Island. It originates in the Southern Alps near Lake Wanaka and empties into the South Pacific Ocean at Balclutha.
The development of navigation on the Clutha River contributed significantly to the region's economic prosperity. Balclutha, a town at the river's mouth, became an important trading centre. The timber industry also benefited greatly from the river, which was used to transport logs.
During the 19th century gold rush, the river was a crucial transport route for gold and other goods coming from the rich inland goldfields. Gold miners used the river to transport their finds to Dunedin and further to the coast.
This heritage is visible along the Roxburgh Gorge Cycle Trail
The trail winds through the spectacular gorge that the Clutha River has carved over millions of years. It offers you the opportunity to gain deep insights into the geological and historical significance of the region. Today, the Clutha River is known for its spectacular landscapes, including narrow gorges and deep valleys. These features make the Roxburgh Gorge Trail a fascinating cycling adventure.
Come join the fun on our Explore Otago Cycle Tour and grasp your chance to take in the breath taking views and challenging hairpin bends 😊. Included is a 45-minute jet boat tour on the Clutha River, during which our local driver Laurence will tell us in detail about the interesting history!
**More Info**
We offer several dates for the Explore Otago Cycle Tour per season, each limited to max 10 participants - see our tour calendar for available options. On this 6-day long tour we also ride the best section of the Otago Rail Trail, the Clyde to Alex River Trail and the Clutha Gold Trails.
This post is based on an article in our Sidetracks Women Newsletter. It offers a great way to stay in the loop about our tours, regularly receive interesting info and handy hints about hiking and cycling in NZ, as well as tour-related specials.
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