This walk starts in New Zealand’s driest area, and climbs onto Cairnmuir Hill at 1114m of elevation. There are extensive views of the moody Dunstan Mountains, and over the flatlands further south.
This walk is one half of a complete traverse of Cairnmuir Hill (1114m) in Central Otago, which would take you from near Bannockburn over to Clyde. It starts in New Zealand’s driest and most arid area, with just introduced thyme eking out an existence. As you steadily climb the country becomes more hospitable, with familiar tussock grass dominating the scenery, along with a few rocky outcrops. There are good views over the moody Dunstan Mountains, with their large tors and wrinkled dark slopes, and also glimpses of the aqua coloured Lake Dunstan in the valley below. (You can climb to Leaning Rock high up in the Dunstan Mountains on a hard day walk).
An early-ish start. Dawn comes late in a NZ winter, but low cloud was further delaying the arrival of daylight.
The initial climb on vehicle trails can be a little mundane, (my wife thought so), but I liked the novelty of this dry landscape. Irrigation means the area around Bannockburn is quite a successful wine region, and after this rather long walk you would probably benefit from a glass of the local produce (if that’s your thing). There’s no shade for the whole walk, and I was even a bit hot in winter in the sheltered areas, so plan for sun protection. Track notes at the end.
Cairnmuir Hill Track: The Scenery
A misty start. The early mist cleared before long. An arm of Lake Dunstan going off to the left. Further upstream this is the Kawarau River that drains Lake Wakatipu. Rugged hills near the start. Not much vegetation on the lower slopes apart from thyme, which I read somewhere was introduced by early (paheka) settlers. Lots of low cloud and glare action in this photo. Looking back over Cromwell, the Pisa Range, and the northern, wider section of Lake Dunstan. Again, a bit glary: my old phone camera struggled a bit with the sun. Emerging from the more arid sections to slopes of tussock grass. The Dunstan Mountains in the background, these south western slopes still in shadow on the winter solstice. Approaching a historic musterer’s hut. I think these workers would act as a kind of human fence before there were actual fences. Inside the hut. Ram horns in the hut. NZ is famous for its sheep. An aqua Lake Dunstan down there. Tussocks and spear grass. The first glimpse of lowlands to the south. The Dunstan Mountains The Dunstan Mountains with just patches of snow. Looking over flatlands to the south. Lots of varied textures in this landscape. The Dunstan Mountains. Descending back down to the start. We ended the walk in golden hour, adding a pleasing hue to these barren sections on the lower slopes. That telegraph pole looks a little out of place in this deserty landscape, but only because I usually associate these scenes with Central Otago’s alpine areas.
Track Notes
On vehicle tracks for much of the walk, then a marked route. Obvious enough. Visting Cairnmuir Hill summit is a short off-track side trip.
Track notes in the following DOC brochure: number 19, as far as Cairnmuir Hill summit and then we returned. As mentioned you can continue over the top to Clyde but you’ll need to arrange transport. The map below show’s what I think is the start of the walk.
