Needham's Cottage, Macetown
Macetown
Track Overview
Approx 15 km each way to Macetown Historic Reserve.
Macetown is definitely one of the top 5 trails! The track starts from the heart of Arrowtown and heads straight into the hills following the Arrow River, a once extensively gold mined area. Macetown itself is an amazing setting for a once bustling (but now ruined) small miners community. Two buildings have been rebuilt by DOC and are super cool and great spots for lunch!
Starting from Wilcox Green at Arrow River you will jump straight onto the walking track heading NW (or left looking at the river from parking) for a short distance to join the 4x4 track.
It is extremely important to keep this section free of horse poo!
From there you follow the 4x4 track with over 20 river crossings! In the summer the Lupins are blooming and the gorge is beautifully coloured. In the later Autumn the trees have turned and is another spectacular show of colour.
This track is popular with 4x4, cyclists, and motorbikes. I would suggest planning your trips on days people are likely to be working or at other events. There is a commercial 4x4 company who take tourists through and its a good idea, if you are a larger group, to give them a call and tell them you will be present. They are very courteous.
Nomad Safaris 03 442 66 99
Please take gear for all conditions and there are sandflies at Macetown, load up on the dimp!
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Please note that the horse access is Macetown road to the "road end" or Homeward bound Battery. Land owners are not fond of "horse explorers".
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Please do not proceed with your trip if heavy rain is forecast or has come a day or so before you go. The river floods very fast and can be extremely hazardous.
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You can check the river levels here
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Directions and Float Parking
Wilcox Green is an open field close to the Arrow River. Located at the end of Nairn Street, Arrowtown.
Please do not use if ground is very wet and you risk damage to the grass and please do not leave any poo behind! or we run the risk of loosing that privilege.
Click for Maps
Wilcox Green
Accommodation
Camping is permitted in the Macetown Historic site. There are no facilities available but there is a non flush toilet.
Fencing is required for horses at the campsite but there is a small fenced off paddock 1km past on the western side of the river. Its very sheltered and tucked in around some large rock cliffs. Nothing says you can't camp there aswell.
Once you pass through Macetown cross the river 3 times and look out for the wide, inviting gap, follow in and around to the left you should see the small paddock. It pays to take some tape and check the paddock. There is no water in paddock but the river is close.
Macetown to paddock
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Tobin's Track
Track Overview
Approx 4.5 km return, to lookout.
A beautiful well formed track steadily climbs up onto the Crown Terrace to a lovely seat with a view! You will climb about 300m in 30 mins so it is a good wee work out but easy going.
You are likely to come across hikers, dogs, bikes and maybe a 4x4.
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Start at the same location as the Macetown trail above, but go right instead, and ford the river next to the bridge where you will link with Tobin's Track, which starts next to the bridge heading uphill.
Please remember to kick any poo off the walking track and keep our tracks tidy.
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Tobin's track was originally built by Thomas Tobin as an access track to Wanaka and is now a popular walking, biking and horse riding track.
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Directions and Float Parking
See above under Macetown parking.
N/A on track but check out the "Where to Stay" tab for places to stay, with your horse, in the area.
Accommodation
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Dan O Connell Track
Track Overview
2.6km each way from parking area.
A short and sweet climb of 247m. From the parking area you follow to the end of the road and enter the track gateway just to the left of the road end. The track follows a farm track almost to the Coronet peak road. Then you return the way you came. Plenty of streams and pockets of native bush. Although the track is short and sweet, it does deliver some beautiful views of the Remarkable mountain range and area.
The other tracks in this location are bike tracks and horses aren't permitted on the tracks.
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Please be respectful of the residences in the area, keep off mowed and maintained gardens and please don't leave horse poop on their driveway.
Directions and Float Parking
Enter 48 Coronet Peak Station Road into google Maps.
Just beyond this property is a Woolshed on the right hand side.
You may park on the grass verge opposite provided you do not block the path left by trucks etc, to turn wide into the farm gateways. Circled yellow on photo below left.
You can do a reverse turn to turn around at the end of road.
Please don't park near the end of road, there is no parking permitted.
Room for about 4 floats.
Track Entrance
N/A on track but check out the "Where to Stay" tab for places to stay, with your horse, in the area.
Accommodation