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Dunstan Lakeside - Cromwell to Lowburn  |
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This track heads north beside Lake Dunstan from Old Cromwell Town, passing under the Deadmans Point (Cromwell) Bridge before heading up the lake to Lowburn.
From the bridge it is very exposed to sometimes strong north-westerly winds that blow down the lake but the scenery is most rewarding.
The track continues along the shoreline through McNulty Inlet and ends beside the lake at the Lowburn Collie Club. At the Lowburn Peninsular, cross the main highway and skirt the inlet to the relocated hall and church. The 1930’s concrete Lowburn bridge still exists under the lake and plaques from that bridge are now on the Lowburn Hall. Follow the track around the inlet to the lake for the final section past the 45th parallel marker to the Collie Club.
On the return a pleasant 9 km addition is the loop up Lowburn Valley Road, into Heaney Road, and back on to the track at the lake via Burn Cottage Road. Marvelous rural scenery with fantastic natural colours in vineyards and orchards are passed along the way.
This is a most pleasant walk or bike featuring the extensive plantings done as part of the lake and dam formation project in the 1990’s. These were established with irrigation and are now providing welcome shade from the hot Central Otago sun. Return the way you came along the lake shore to Dunstan View and Alpha Street before returning to Old Cromwell Town.
The return trip to Lowburn and back to Cromwell is approx 19 km. This is an easy grade Central Otago cycling track, flat and smooth with some sandy sections. It follows a single or 4WD track, with the Lowburn Valley Loop section a mix of gravel and sealed road. |
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