09/03/2026 to 13/03/2026. Bannockburn Camp – Duffers Saddle, Australian Water Wheel Carricktown. Combined. Leaders Anne and Rod Ward.
Tuesday 10/03/2026
Tuesday was a semi combined walk for both trampers and hikers. We headed up the Nevis road to Duffers saddle 14kms, which is the highest public road in NZ, 1275metres. We left our vehicles at the top of Duffers Saddle
and headed down the the track to the Young Australian Water Wheel, it was a cool morning with temperature about 3 degrees. due to the cold we skipped morning tea and had our first stop at the Young Australian Water Wheel, 6kms from the start.
This water wheel was established 1872 by the company of the same name, the wheel is 8mtrs in diameter and was built to power a stamper battery for crushing Quartz. In 2001 DOC refurbished the water wheel replacing all the wooden parts and securing the steel structure to make it safe. This water wheel is significant because it is the only remaining water wheel in place from the Central Otago gold rush.
Our hikers headed back up the track to Duffers Saddle while the trampers continued down the 9 kms to Quartzville Road and another 1.5km back to camp.
A big day but the scenery was well worth it, a great effort by the hikers who completed the trampers section. evening meal entree was freshly caught trout caught by Dave and smoked by Gary.
<<Link to Day 3 trampers>> <<Link to Day 3 hikers>>
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.