New Zealand Walk: Bannockburn Sluicings NZ’s own ‘wild west’
The Bannockburn Sluicings Historic Reserve, just a few kilometres south-west of Cromwell can’t be experienced from a distance. You have to walk it to understand it.
What looks desolate from the entrance turns into a rough, raw and rewarding walk through a valley of caves, tunnels and rock tailings left untouched since abandoned by the last of the mining men.
This vanished landscape is New Zealand’s own wild west: The Bannockburn Sluicings are the scarred landscapes of a short-lived gold mining era.
This is a desert made by water, large scale water blasting left a landscape transformed by human kinds pursuit of possibility.
As an iconic heritage site, the
shock of the old will take you to the edge of understanding, and give you a chance to reflect that it was people who made this place. Life today is still about prospecting and searching for the unknown. Venture into the Bannockburn Sluicings and pursue the possibilities.
Visit the remains of the dams, water races, rock tailings and caves left untouched since the last of the gold miners. This spectacular man-made landscape can be explored on foot or bike via various tracks.
History and culture
As you drive towards the Bannockburn Sluicings, set the tone with some sombre western tunes because what you’re about to see ain’t pretty.
It’s tragically beautiful.
This desert made by water is not a natural site, but the 150-year-old aftermath of gold miners’ dreams, and a technique known as ‘hydraulic sluicing’ where water was blasted at the hills to release the gold, Fact file
Bannockburn Loop Track
Length: 3.5 km
Track class: Easy walking track Time: Allow one hour 30 minutes., Dogs allowed on a leash only Getting there
Travel 6 km south-west through Cromwell, and cross Lake Dunstan to get to Bannockburn. This site can be accessed from Felton Road.
For those with little time, there are vantage points that can be reached by car, and walks that take just 10 minutes.
If you’ve got more time to spare, trace the water source back up to the Menzies Dam in Stewart Town. There are remains of a stone cottage, an early 19th century orchard, and great views across Cromwell and Baileys Gully.
Know before you go
This is a very dry area with no water on the tracks - take water with you.
There are no designated campsites or huts in this area - do not camp on private land.
Remember that all rocks, historic artefacts (including earth and stone works), native plants and animals are protected on public land - tread carefully and take only photos.