Alexandra to Balclutha
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Flat Top Hill Conservation Area
The dry land ecosystem around this area receives the lowest rainfall in New Zealand. Less than 300mm fall each year due to it's location in a rain shadow of the mountain ranges in the west and south.
After gold mining ended at Butchers Gully a dam was built between 1935 and 1937 to provide water for nearby Alexandra. Today the reservoir is used for irrigation only.
40 minutes return - easy
Start: Carpark at Butchers Dam, 6km south of Alexandra on SH8
You'll walk across Butchers Dam and around the dry landscape with fine examples of schist rock formations. Interpretative panels describing the ecosystem, geology and history of the area.
Road to Roxburgh
The scenic road winds through the rocky gorge with great views of the mountains and Lake Roxburgh.
Roxburgh
Some of the old mud-brick and stone buildings are still in use.
Roxburgh
Some of the old mud-brick and stone buildings are still in use.
Lonely Grave
Turn of the main highway in Millers Flat for an 11 km sidetrip to the lonely grave.
In 1864 William Rigney found a shivering dog beside the dead body of a young man. Nobody was in search of the man and so Rigney dug a grave for him. A pine slab with the words "Somebody's darling lies buried here" marks the place.
Rigney died in 1912 and was buried alongside as he had wished. On his stone you can read the words: "Here lies William Rigney, the man who buried Somebody's Darling."
Manuka Gorge Tunnel Track
40 min return - easy but partly dark
Glowworms in an old 440m long railway tunnel where you can walk through safely. Take a torch and a pullover to explore the tunnel.
