2 Geckos Travelling Australia: Tues, 17th Mar, 2026 (part2) Kawarau Bridge car park, Kawarau River to Manuherikia River freedom camp, Omakau, NZ (Cromwell, Alexandra, Ophir)

Headed along Buckingham Street through the lovely trees. You can see some cars going along the winding Crown Range Road.

Over Arrow River.

Back to the Kawarau Bridge. Someone has just jumped and there are people on the ‘canyon swing’ too.

Along the Gibbston Valley with the Kawarau River and Gorge on our left. Lots of wineries through here. Very scenic drive.

Into Kawarau Gorge the sign said then across the Kawarau River.

The road goes around like a horseshoe following the river. We spotted a bus going up the hill to the AJ Hackett Swing Nevis - another thrill seeking thing.

Very stark mountains along here.

Rolling along between the mountains with the Kawarau River on our right.

Pulled off into Roaring Meg Lookout.

The Wilding Pines after being sprayed.

Continued on along and up the other side of Kawarau Gorge. Spotted a digger on the other side making a road - bike trail? Further along we saw more workers and a bridge.

Continued on then spotted a ‘ledge’ built into the rock face and the track continues along on that side above the river.

Pulled into the car park for the Goldfields Mining Centre which is located near the end of the narrow gorge section. They have a museum, tours and cafe here.

We walked across the suspension bridge to check it out. The water is a beautiful aqua colour. Downstream then upstream with the old flying fox box still suspended across the river.

Zoomed in on the old buildings from the gold mining days.

Lots of interesting things for sale inside. Outside we checked out the old turbine pump and a hydraulic sluicing cannon.

Back to the camper and we continued on - the river widens now as we turn away from it and head to Cromwell. Great garden ornament.

Turned off as we neared town to where the Kawarau River curves, there is a little backwater which is Bannockburn Inlet then it meets Lake Dunstan which is filled by the Clutha River at the other end.

Lots of pine plantations and wineries as we continue along to the dump point. Nice big pine cones here.

Down the road and Cromwell township comes into view beside Lake Dunstan.

Along to a big open parking area for a cuppa. Sign said this is the Kawarau Arm of Lake Dunstan. Lots of seagulls hanging about.

Found some info at the boat ramp.

Walked up the slope to check out Old Crowell Town. Interesting spot for a cottage.

Stopped at the Memorial Seat for the lady who had a cottage here prior to the Clyde Dam being built and the township being removed to create Lake Dunstan.

Amazing forethought to preserve the town’s buildings before the dam filled. We wandered into the Heritage Precinct.

Lots of info in the old newspaper place.

Should have brought our books to swap.

Wandered through the buildings looking for the history plaques etc.

Along the lake edge to the Athenaeum Hall - half buried.

Then the Second School.

Then Renshaws. Pretty view through the window.

Followed the track around to where the old bridge used to be but is now under the water.

Climbed up the slope to the Junction Lookout.

The new bridge further along over what used to be the Clutha River but now is Lake Dunstan. The river continues at the other end where we stopped first. It flows to the east coast near Balclutha which we visited when doing the Catlins area. Scanned over Lake Dunstan. Hard to read the metal signs - this was the meeting spot of the Karawau and Clutha Rivers. The Junction later renamed to Cromwell was sited here following the 1862 gold strike.

Walked back past a nice church, homes and trees.

Back to the heritage precinct but the upper level this time.

Down the track and back to the camper. Through town then across the bridge - view upstream that would have been the Clutha River but it now a long thin section of Lake Dunstan.

Very barren gold-worked hills on both sides of Lake Dunstan. Interesting thing on the hillside as we follow Lake Dunstan/Clutha River downstream.

Pulled into the Clyde Dam Lookout. Power station info. Now the waterway is the Clutha River again. That brown thing we saw was for stabilising the hillside.

View down to Clyde township.

Down the hill and past old stone fences and buildings as we drive through Clyde.

Back to acreage farms as we continue along the edge of the Clutha River to Alexandra (est 1863). Spotted a clock on the mountain side and it has the correct time. There is a walk up to it but I don’t think we need to do that one.

Down to the Clutha River to find the Shaky Bridge. Not this one but it would have been impressive. Good info too. The Clutha River is the 2^nd longest and swiftest river in NZ.

There is an excavator in the river bed - looking for gold? Diverting the water I think.

Through town and onto a side street to Shaky Bridge over the Manuherikia River. It was very shaky when a chap ran across while we were on it.

We are closer to the clock here.

Continued along with the Manuherikia River on our right. Rolling over hills of farm pastures. Nice views.

Turned off to check out the historic Ophir Bridge over the Manuherikia River. Walked across first.

As we were about to head across a vehicle came the other way. Narrow blind road through the rock walls on the other side.

Into Ophir village. Originally known as Blacks as gold was found here in Charles Black’s backyard. Started at the Post Office - still operating from 1886. Picked up a walking guide then wandered down the main street and back. Love the roof support on the old Drapery Shop.

This car has done some miles.

Back to the camper and back along the street to the Blacks Hotel.

Continued on then turned left towards Omakau. There is a freedom camping allowed by the river near the bridge. There are a few other travellers parked in spots. We found a grassy spot to park on for the night. Our route for today.