Nevis Valley, Banockburn to Garston

[wjw]

Trip Time: 4hrs +

Distance: 67Km's

Obstacles: 25 Water Crossings & Some gates

Note: Closed for winter from Second Tuesday in June

This is a great day out. Follow directions to Banockburn from Cromwell.

Start point one:

Take the right turn about 10 mins out of Banockburn onto the Nevis Road.

Or start point Two

Take the right turn signposted School (Gravel Road) follow road till T junction. Turn Right, past farm. Look for the gate on the left after the large amount of trees, the track goes up very steeply, so do not attempt in the rain...

From either start point follow the road to the Nevis Station, it's a gravel road all the way but rough in places. From the Nevis station over the top there are 24 river crossings (If your careful, snorkels are optional). This section of the road is not open in Winter (Closes 2nd Tuesday of June).

If you go from start point one, you can get over in a shiny. From start point two, it all depends on the weather conditions. It can get very cold on top even if your in a T-shirt at the bottom, so make sure you wear warm clothes. Also make sure you fill up with fuel in Cromwell.

When you get to Garston it's an hour to Frankton, so it may be worth filling up again in Garston - to get to the petrol station, turn left out of the end of the Nevis road and its about two minutes away. To head towards Queenstown turn right out of the Nevis road. Then follow the road all the way to Frankton.

If you want to stop by the river in the photos, its just before the Railway Station rest stop, turn right as soon as you see the rest stop sign and head thru the trees on your left, then take an immediate left thru more trees and you'll be next to a lovely river.

Photos of our trip are at:

Last Weeks Trip:

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/modules.php?set_albumName=Nevis_to_Garston&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

Last Years Trips - June (Well the day before the road closed anyway) & Winter Trip (From the School, Failed Attempt, was mid winter... too much snow):

http://www.wjw.co.uk/photos/default.asp?SID=37&GID=8

Let me know if you're going and I'll see if I have time to tag along

Bill.

Tel: 021 222 4440

PS: This trip is in South Island 4x4 Volume One (The Red Cover)

PPS: Some fishing friends of mine have said that the Nevis Valley is a great fishing spot. Fly only... one trout max

[Zukin]

How long to you estimate it takes from Bannockburn to Garston?
Approx

Cheers

[Guest]

Because we had a time limit we did it in 4 hours last week. But last year we spent a full day doing it.... all depends on how you feel....

[wjw]

Zuk, If you're planning on going down there this weekend I just found out that theres a cycle race over the top tommorow (3rd April), so I wouldn't recommend going there.... I'm probably going to go over the Dunstan range on Sunday, as there was a cycle race there last time I tried to go over.

[getsum]

a few of us are doing this trip on friday this week

[getsum]

track report 28/12/2012:

track is in good condition.
gotta watch the mountain bikers that love to take up the whole rd and not pull to the side.

plenty of great spots to stop for a break/picnic etc.
we stopped at the old miners huts where the lake is.
jumped in for a swim, it was too hot to pass up a nice refreshing swim.

theres another track thats a bit more vehicle challenging just on the north side of the summit sign.

i didnt get to go down that track as i blew a cv apart earlier on, and ended up being in 2wd from the lake to cromwell..

definately some great views and a long day out for the family..
left home at 8am, got home at 7.30pm from invercargill.

will get some photos sorted soon

[albundy]

I know a secret little very hard core track that will take you from nevis valley up onto the old woman range. Not for the faint hearted though. I have seen tough mens knuckles go white travelling this track. On private land, so not going to advertise it.

Al